Can a BSN be enough?

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I have posted in this forum since I was a CNA. I have done the CNA to LPN to ADN to BSN. All I heard throughout the years is "are you going to go further?" While I understand it from the beginning standpoint, I'm done! I have my BSN now but feel "not worthy" because people make it seem to make good money and be useful, you have to get a masters. I do not wish to be at the beside forever but don't want to get a masters. I have spent years in school and ready to just enjoy life. I was looking at informatics which I heard doesn't necessarily require a msn, just experience. Any thoughts are appreciated!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

It's okay to have a BSN. It's okay to want to work bedside. If you have something that motivates you to go for further education - either a specific job/role or personal desire for a higher degree, then it makes sense to get one. But if you have no motivation and no reason to want one and can meet your current professional goals with out one - why waste the time, money, and energy?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It is fine to have a BSN. There are some jobs away from the bedside without an MSN - quite a few, in fact, at this time - but as more people pursue advanced degrees and the entry level for the profession becomes BSN, that degree may continue to grow less employable for the positions away from the bedside. You don't have to go back to school, but it warrants an awareness that if the profession continues to go the way it is, those looking to get away from the bedside are advancing their degrees to do so, which will change the demographic of the candidate pool for those jobs. Employers are consumers too and look for the most bang for their buck. However, at this junction in time, I see plenty of jobs away from the bedside for BSN applicants.

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The only reason in my mind to need a masters is to be an NP, get into upper management, or informatics. I had a job before graduation with my ASN. I only got my BSN because I personally wanted to. My job did not require it.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
The only reason in my mind to need a masters is to be an NP, get into upper management, or informatics. I had a job before graduation with my ASN. I only got my BSN because I personally wanted to. My job did not require it.

Or education. Or MSLs. Or many pharmaceutical sales positions. Lots of things do require an MSN other than NP, mgmt and informatics. ;)

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