Considering MSN in Education

Am offering you some (((hugs)))) for all the personal issues that you've been dealing with. Sounds like you might do well with a position in education/training. Or some other kind of change.

But a word of advice - be verrrrry careful about your hope/expectation to be hired on for such a position where you've been employed. Sounds like you've been dead-ended there. With any change (even a small one from where you might least expect it) in corporate ownership, administration, restructuring, etc, you could be in for just another setback.

I'm a little saddened how you commented about 'the few more letters' ie BSN, in terms of job advancement (?) and more debt. You kind of sound defeated like you were expecting some great big golden opportunity to have opened up for you. Things like that just don't happen. An MSN might just be another disappointment. Graduate education will cost money but the degree is necessary for the direction you want to head. But there is no guarantee that a desirable position (money, responsibilities, location, etc) will be available post-graduation. You're correct to recognize that many NEWLY advance degreed nurses are facing some rude awakenings in their prospective/current career positions.

I think you might be looking too far ahead at situations that might not be feasible or realistic, that is, you've a lot of very big "IFs" in your post.

Think about it - WITH the advanced degree, you would be able to pursue things that you just COULD NOT WITHOUT IT. That can open doors for you that are NOT open now. But then again, those doors might not open quickly enough if at all. At this time, you're not a techno dinosaur but things do change rapidly. Also postponing school will only cost more money later on - am not sure how you would plan on financing school. Can your health hold out for any extended time?

FWIW, and I say this VERY CAUTIOUSLY, consider part-time school, but leave some room in your future for yourself. Without being too personal or intrusive, please take care of yourself - you're dealing with an awful lot. Take advantage of your EAP at work if poss. Maybe consider something out of your 'ole reliable' comfort zone hospital position. Whatever you do, do it as a thoughtful realistic plan and not one out of disappointment.

Wishing you all the best.

I got the darn BSN so I'd have more options. I've really been disappointed because I've been trying to get off the floor for a while but every position I've applied for I've been passed over for someone with experience in that field, i.e. physician office, endoscopy, interventional radiology. I could get hired in our ER, I worked there as a tech for 6 years. I think ER experience would position me better for a lot of jobs. But, I just feel like it would be too stressful. Im totally fine and on point at work and then after I finish my last shift, I fall to pieces, I think because I have to push everything out of my mind, then it comes back like a sledge hammer. It's better; I used to not even make out of the parking garage before just breaking down and sobbing in my car for awhile before I could drive. So I don't think a higher stress position would be a realistic or smart move. I think I might just totally lose it. I'm afraid that I won't be safe for my patients because my cognition will be compromised by trying so hard to keep things together. Other jobs I've looked at, such as case management, utilization review etc require experience in those fields. I feel totally boxed in and am pretty frustrated that the BSN hasn't been of any realistic use. Unless of course, I continue my education. I really think that a nurse practitioner of any type would be too stressful; I just don't want that massive responsibility. In all honesty, I'm just at a loss. I want to try to rebuild my life. I worked so hard to get my degrees; it took me 7 years for the Associates with prerequisites, working full time, kids at home. Since 2008 both my parents and all my (4) sisters died. Jeepers, the night before my first shift as an RN, my house burned down. But I stayed working hard, pushed through, was at clinicals the day after my mother died. And I worked hard on my BSN, I was able to join Sigma Theta Tau, got on the Dean's list and graduated with honors. I'm just confounded that I can't seem to make anything work. I'm sort of just subsiting because I don't work enough. It makes me so sad to think all that was for nothing now if I can't do anything but work at a job that's getting hard to stomach. I feel like my son killed me too sometimes. I guess, I feel sort of ruined and am trying to remake myself despite this quagmire of endless loss. Yes, I'm in counseling and on medication. Sorry this is so long. It's just kind of a complex situation. There's actually more stuff that's happened but I'm trying not to write a book; I'm just trying to explain where my head is at and get some light shed on how to proceed. Thanks.

Thank you everyone for your kindness and candor, as well as the resources. My insurance changed and I lost my counselor in June. I will call my EAP today, just saying it here so I feel accountable and will follow through. Having such strong responses all saying the same thing, I'm going to put my MSN on hold until I feel more confidant. I'm a perfectionist who stressed about every test and am upset it I get a 98%, cause I might need those points down the road. So you guys are right, I'm not ready. Thank you so very much.