BSN or CEN?

[montecarlo64]

I am an ASN-RN with almost a year's experience in the ED. My history is I started as CNA for 6 years, then LPN for 17 years, and I have been an ASN-RN for 4 years. Most of my experience has been in LTC; however, my passion is caring for acutely and critically ill patients. This passion was my motivation to get my RN degree. I was shocked when I had such a difficult time gaining employment in a hospital; but, almost a year ago, I finally was hired at a small rural ED, which is about an hour drive from my home. I absolutely love it! I love going to work, the variety of patients and the ability to utilize my nursing and critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, I am afraid this is coming a little to late, as I will be 50 years old this year. I am considering doing a RN-BSN progam, which will take about a year and be around $10,000..I still have a considerable amount of old student loan debt, and I am on the fence about going deeper in debt at my age. But, my hospital is a Magnet hospital, which I am anticipating to eventually require a BSN. I also live in a colder, snowy climate and it is my wishes to sometime in the next 5-10 years to relocate to a warmer climate. What are opinions regarding pursuing the BSN degree? Or, should I concentrate on obtaining my CEN as I become more experienced? Do you think an ASN-RN with CEN is equal, in the eyes of an employer, to a BSN degree? All opinions and advice is much appreciated!

[PG2018]

Whether you receive a larger salary or not, anytime you increase your level of education you have indeed advanced yourself. I've worked with too many nurses who say something like "If you want to get a BSN it's fine, but it don't mean nothin'." That statement alone should indicate something. It's sad when a group tries to tear down advanced education.

When I was in med-surg, with a BSN, working a charge nurse, I did not receive any increase in pay whatsoever over any of the RNs I had working with me to whom I delegated assorted responsibilities. That didn't bother me in the least, but any time I heard them (all of them) talking about the merits of a BSN...well, I never heard any merits. All of their statements were negative ranging from "it ain't worth the cost," to "I don't need a history class to be a nurse."

Whatever happened to furthering one's education for the sake of being more educated?

[utadahikaru]

Don't go into debt. It's sooo not worth it. Save your 10k first, then decide if you want to spend it on a BSN or something else.