Big dilemma (for me at least!)

[yelnikmcwawa]

I have a question. My dilemma is very complicated so I'll try to keep it to the point. Basically, I'm currently a student in a Master's program for advanced studies in early childhood development and family dynamics. I have since changed paths to nursing and am wondering if finishing the master's degree is something I should do.

I graduate in August but applied to a nursing program that starts in May. My GPA is above the typical admitted GPA, and my HESI A2 score was 95.64. My advisor said that the average HESI score for those sent to their top pick is typically around an 89. So, I basically feel that my odds of getting in are very good. Classes would start in May so I would not be able to finish my master's program with my cohort. My options are as follow.

1. Drop out now so I don't have to dump the extra 14 grand on the program.

2. Finish spring semester and ask permission to complete my last semester after I graduate nursing school.

Basically, my question is this...do I put an additional 20 grand in this program or do I just drop out now and focus on nursing school? What I want to know is this; would having this Masters get me a higher pay as an RN? And would it also help me get into a pediatric NP program down the line?

Thanks for reading if you got this far! Any ideas are welcome!

[sunray12]

basically, my question is this…do i put an additional 20 grand in this program or do i just drop out now and focus on nursing school?

i think this is up to you. what are your long term goals? where do you want to be five years from now - ten years from now? how does the master's fit in with them? can you afford to pay the tuition to finish up your ma and pay for nursing school? these are things that should factor into your decision.

what i want to know is this; would having this masters get me a higher pay as an rn?

no. new grad rn's start at the same pay rate. to advance as a nurse you will need a bsn and maybe a msn.

and would it also help me get into a pediatric np program down the line?

maybe, but a few year's worth of pediatric rn experience would do the same.

[yelnikmcwawa]

Thank you sunray! As an FYI, the nursing programs I am applying to are all BSN programs, since my long term goal is to be come a ped. or neonate NP. A friend of mine who is an NP says that many hospitls will set your pay rate based on something like a point system. She said that certian college degrees as well as time in the field all increase your points. So she said that if I finish with this masters, then as a new grad I could potentially make more because the Master's might bump me up into the next point pay scale. Anyone have any thoughts on how this works?

[CNA_Timmy]

Have you looked into a masters entry program. My aunt was a social worker for 15 years before she went back to school and got her MSN as her first nursing degree. She then went to a psychiatric NP program a few years later, although graduating with a MSN she still made the same money as the folks coming out of an ASN program (at least to start).

[yelnikmcwawa]

Thank you Timmy. I have looked at direct entry MSN programs, but there are none close to where I live. My husband is developing a private practice so I just can't move out of state right now. Thanks though!