Cost vs benefit of BSN at middle age

featherzRN, MSN · Jul 20, 2018

I got my BSN, MBA, and MSN all after 40 (WGU). All three degrees cost me less than 10K and I paid cash so no loans. For me it was worth it, if only as a bucket list item (the MBA) and just to keep my brain working. :) The BSN at WGU took me just over three months to complete.

I now work in a job that allows me to work from home that would not have been possible without AT LEAST the BSN. Even in my podunk area the hospitals are BSN mandatory for anything not bedside and soft mandatory (within 5 years) for bedside.

MSO4STATIV · Jul 20, 2018

I good friend of mine recently became permanently disabled from a work comp injury (elevator free fell 3 stories with her in it & she sustained a back injury that did not improve after 2 surgeries with medical management over a period of 8 years). Nursing was her 2nd career & now she is trying to figure out what to do with just an ADN degree (teaching requires at least a BSN even at the community college level). Sometimes situations arise which are not your fault (injury, hospital closure/resale, etc.) & you should have a plan B-C-D ready to implement just in case. Last year New York signed into law the "BSN in 10" bill, & the ANA supports nurses having their BSN degree at minimum. Additionally, the IOM in 2010, called for 80% of all RNs nationwide to have their BSN by 2020. On a personal note, I received my ADN in 1984, my BSN in 2011, & my MSN (Nursing Informatics) in 2017. Although I love working at the bedside in a busy CVICU, I can't see myself still at the bedside in my 60's or 70's. I would get the BSN before you are forced to get it.

mediwizard · Jul 21, 2018

If the salary is only a dollar difference, it does not seem practical to me. Unless it is something that you are passionate about, I would say do not do it? I am not sure about your employment rate though. Also another downside is that you would have to stay with them for 5-7 years, that seems like such a long time though understandable due to them reimbursing you. What if you do not like your job anymore, you would then get stuck with them since it is a contract you signed if you do decide to pursue a BSN.

Also how is being an ADN job security wise? Would getting a BSN make your job more stable or not? If not, I would say do not bother. BUT if you want to increase your learning... it really depends on you. Do a pros and cons list

On another note, I do know previous instructors that did the 4 year BSN after working in an entirely different field though. They are amazing nurses and they have told me that being a nurse was a life long dream of theirs. I guess if you did the BSN in the beginning it might have made a difference?

Guest219794 · Jul 21, 2018

Would you get a BSN if it was not required?
I am a middle aged (if I live to be a hundred) new ADN nurse. I work at a smallish hospital in a rural area that does not require a BSN. The hospital has no plans to change this policy. They do offer tuition reimbursement for nurses that want to purse a BSN, if that nurse is willing to sign a contract to work for the hospital 5-7 more years after obtaining the degree. They also pay a (whopping) $1 more an hour to nurses who have their BSN.
I hope to work about 15-17 years before retirement. I would love some thoughts about the benefits, or lack thereof, of spending the money and time pursuing a further degree given my...ahem....advanced age.
I recently ran into one of my former instructors and her opinion was that, in our area, the BSN wouldn't really pay off unless my interest was in management (it's not). She brought up MSN and teaching as an option. (We are also home to a community college with a great nursing program.) I told her that I am still dreaming of the day when I get through a shift confident in my skills as a nurse, can't imagine that teaching someone else would ever be a reality.

Your question is cost vs benefit.

Put aside the unknown, potential benefits- A change in career plan, an increase in the BSN differential, hire-ability elsewhere if you move, etc... Also, put aside the less tangible benefits, such as the possibility that more education might make you a better nurse.

If you work 15 years at an extra dollar an hour, and do no overtime, your benefit will be $28,000

Your cost will be your time.

Cost VS benefit depends on how you value your time.

Another thought- say you don't get BSN now, but are required to do it in the future. Your cost befit ratio takes a beating.

BTW- I am a similar age to you, with ADN, but no bonus for BSN. I am opting not to do it, hoping that if my situation changes, my experience will keep me employed. A roll of the dice.

Oldmahubbard · Jul 21, 2018

The biggest benefit I can see is that the BSN is likely to extend your career (and earning power).

You will probably need to work 17 more years if you are 50. That is a lot of years. Will you be physically able to do what you are doing now at at that age?

If you start now, and take one course a semester, there would be no big interruption to your life. It would take awhile, but then you would have it and you would be eligible for a desk job if you ever needed it.

You can collect social security at a younger age, but it is less money. How is your retirement account?

A lot to think about. No guarantees either way

EmergencyNurse2012 · Jul 22, 2018

Just my two cents here. Six years ago, I graduated with my ADN at age 40. When I was in nursing school, our instructors drove home the Institute of Medicine's study, The future of Nursing. To make a long story short, the Institute recommends that ALL nurses have a minimum of a BSN before 2020 in order to practice Nursing. Many states, hospitals, and management are embracing this study and requiring all nurses working in hospitals/critical care areas to have a minimum of a BSN.

The area in which I work (southeast) has many hospitals, Schools of Nursing, and other healthcare opportunities for nurses. All the area hospitals phased out LPN's in their ER's 4 years ago and job announcements for for nurses in hospitals in my area include a blip about having a BSN or currently enrolled in a BSN program as an educational requirement.

Why say all this if you've already stated that this is not a requirement in your area? It may quickly become a requirement and you may find yourself being required to earn a BSN (why not do it now instead of later). Also, and more importantly, while you may not see your living situation changing, circumstances may change and you may find that you must relocate permanently or temporarily to an area that requires a BSN. Case in point; in February of this year, my mother got suddenly, violently ill where she lived in Pennsylvania and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The commuting to PA from the southeast was expensive, time consuming and not practical. I was looking into travel nursing which would have covered all my needs. It would have kept me financially solvent, provided a place to stay, allowed me to see my mother and help her navigate her journey. She unfortunately succumbed to the cancer while I was in the process of getting set up to travel. (all the hospitals in her area require a minimum of a BSN in order to practice). I still have siblings in PA and as we are all getting older, I want the ability to either travel nurse (if need be) or move to where they are if they need long term help.

I would NOT sign a contract for a 5-7 year commitment in order to receive educational reimbursement (unless your employer reimburses 100% of all your costs) and even then, I would be very hesitant as I like the freedom to try new things, move different places and experience new cultures.

If you are 100% sure that you would not find yourself looking for employment anywhere else in-between now and the next 15-17 years when you retire, then, don't pursue the BSN. If there is any chance your hospital may close or be acquired in a merger or take over, then there is a chance you will need a BSN.

Just my two cents. By the way, I had an aunt who earned her LPN at 60. She worked in a SNF until she was 74. Rock on , Grengemly!

thecareerchanger, BSN · Jul 23, 2018

OP a BSN may not make sense financially now but it can open more doors for you, even if you have no interest in management. Also things can change in a decade or so. In NY BSN is now the minimum for RN and my guess is that this will eventually occur across the country. If you were going to retire in a couple of years I would say don't bother but you still have a good number of working years left so I say do it part-time, possibly online, and see if your employer will reimburse.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2018

The pay off is only in terms of doing something for your own pleasure.The money will not be made up and it is a big bill around 24-25,000 in my local.If you enjoy school go ahead but they do not make it easy.

KHT · Jul 24, 2018

I am a second career RN who got my ADN at age 45 and my BSN at age 47. I already had an MBA from my previous career so I felt that BSN was a missing link or bridge that would allow my MBA to be more directly employable in this new career. Like you, I thought about the cost vs. benefits of getting that BSN as I was not willing to invest a lot of money into yet another degree (at this age), but in the area I am in, I find that a BSN is required (preferred at the minimum) and allows you to explore a lot more opportunities down the line (beyond just bedside). I was able to find an online BSN program that fit my needs ... all online, no classroom, no clinical, and it was under $8K (because the program accepted all my prerequisites from my previous degrees). Doing the math, I was going to be able to pay this off very quickly with my current job and thus, I concluded that the long-term benefits (and security) outweighed the immediate cost. However, I realize everyone's situation is different and you have to do what is right for you. The sheer fact that you are posing this question tells me that you have reason to think about this ... and one last thought I'll share ... I feel that continuing education never hurts. It doesn't have to be structured or costly as a bachelor's degree, no, but I think in this dynamic industry, things change and we have to stay on top of it to ensure that our practice is keeping pace with that change.

debirn918 · Jul 29, 2018

Did my LPN in early 20s, ADN in mid 30s, BSN in late 40s and MN completed at age 63. Each step of my education was paid by me, though I was lucky enough to have access to some tuition reimbursement for my ADN and my BSN programs. I also had supportive employers during each degree I obtained. I also received several scholarships to offset the out of pocket costs for my MN degree. All RN education was done while working full-time. The most I ever signed a contract for were my ADN and BSN degrees. It only stated I would work for 2 years from the time I received tuition reimbursement. This meant 2 years from the time I actually received money. In other words, I worked 2 yrs from the money I received in the 1st quarter, then the 2nd and so on. As I am firmly settled in my community I had no concerns about doing this. I still am employed at this hospital 45 years later, though it is only very part-time. Yes, I am working full-time, but as faculty in the nursing program at my community college. Did I see this in my future when I first was licensed as an LPN? No, but years go by and I find I am still passionate about nursing, but I have evolved and changed over the years. I say go for the advanced education. There are many options for contining and paying. I would never agree to more than a 2 year commitment. But, remember your employer is making a commitment to you as well. Good luck.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 29, 2018

Personally, I think the ADN to MSN route is the best way to go to give your more options as you age. Best wishes with your decision