Furthering My Education

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 3, 2015

Do I get my Bachelors? What can I do with my Bachleors?

A BSN does not provide an expanded scope of practice; however, it may open more doors for opportunities as many facilities are preferring BSN. Some may pay a small amount to those with a BSN or provide other opportunities to increase salaries such as eligibility for higher levels of the clinical ladder.

Do I bridge and get my Masters? What can I do with a Masters?

Depends on what type of MSN you choose. Some will allow for an expanded scope of clinical practice, such as NP. Others will allow opportunities for nursing informatics, nursing education, management, or other specializations.

Doctorates? What can I do with a Doctorates?

Pretty much the same options as MSN, but as with a BSN it can open more doors for opportunity.

Other options?

Have a serious discussion with your husband about his job hopping. I work with someone whose husband is the same way, and in order to keep the household afloat, she's working two jobs. You can't tell me there isn't marital strain in that house, and I wouldn't be surprised if your relationship with your husband is suffering.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 4, 2015

Maybe for the next few months, you should focusing on establishing a successful nursing career. That will give you a steady paycheck with benefits that will allow you to provide necessities to your family and begin to chip away at that debt. Once you are settled into a job, you can begin to explore your long-term options. Too many people focus on the distant future at your career stage and end up messing up because they weren't focusing on doing a good job in the here and now.

At this point, it is enough to simply pay attention to a few things:

1. What type of nursing activities do you like the most? And which aspects of nursing do you seem to be best at? Paying attention to these things will help you identify jobs that might be a "good fit" for you. Is it direct patient care at the bedside? Is it working with a specific type of patient? Is it patient teaching? Is it organizing nursing care -- as in being a Charge Nurse or manager? Is it being a preceptor to new nurses? Is it working with colleagues to improve the care in your department? etc. You won't how you like some of those things until after you have worked as a nurse for a while. That's why it is important not to rush your decision about a long term career path. Find out what it is like to be a nurse and give these types of activities a try. That gives you valuable information about yourself as a nurse that will help you choose a path that is right for YOU.

2. Pay attention to the educational credentials of the people who have jobs that interest you. For example, if you think doing staff education would be a good fit for you, what type of education do the people who do that job have? If you think being a Nurse Practitioner is for you, what type of education do they need? etc. Don't do it the other way around -- choose a degree and then try to figure out what you should do with it. Choose a type of work that you will love and then get the degree necessary to do that type of work. You'll end up happier that way.

3. Pay attention to your finances. (It sounds like you are already doing that.) Pay attention to benefit packages as you interview for jobs. Good benefits can make a big financial difference to you and your family. Continue to live cheaply and take care of that debt before you add a lot to it. Once you decide on a career path ... look for school options that you can afford.

Good luck to you!

Libby1987 · Nov 4, 2015

I agree with lig, become a competent nurse first, in whatever area you're able to find a position, then look for your options. I would try for acute but if not I'd go for the highest acuity I could get and nail it, which will require some serious dedication of time and energy. Maybe dad can stay home without putting the kids in daycare.

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 4, 2015

Put that ASN to work and get a job! You have educational debt and bills to pay now. If you want to further your education, IIg has great advice about that.

If you want to maximize your take home pay and create a savings/safety net for your family, you should look for a hospital job. Nights and weekends often pay more (lots more in my hospital), overtime is time and a half.

The trade-off is that while we all want to be loving, supporting moms, sometimes we will miss the games and events. Nursing often means working nights, weekends and holidays. You can look at this as a bad thing or as an opportunity to get out of the dull chore of sitting on the sidelines of a cold, damp soccer field watching the kids play badly when you would rather be doing something else.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

Pay your dues. Learn how to nurse.

I have an ADN, I sit on my tookas at home and make 6 figures.

Iknowwha2du · Nov 5, 2015

Sounds like you need to sort things out with your husband and see where he is at in terms of supporting you because you don't need any dead weight. FYI nursing can make you tired, meaning you may neglect some things at home due to working long shifts and being too tired to cook, go to soccer games, or whatever. If you have a husband he should be helping you, especially since by what you said, he doesn't stay at one job for an extended period of time.

NOADLS · Nov 5, 2015

Test the job market with your ADN before jumping on anything else. You might get lucky and land something good.

Immediately jumping the gun and going for your BSN will limit your opportunity to work. You have a family and it seems like making money to support the family is top priority.

Katie71275 · Nov 5, 2015

I graduated with my ASN in May of 2013. I found a job immediately in the field I wanted (L&D). I started an RN to BSN program within a few months of graduating(ended up having to stop that program and start a new one after moving and the program wasn't accepted by my state), and will graduate March 2016. i would highly recommend you obtain a job as an RN and then eventually do an RN to BSN program. I would also recommend Dave Ramsey if you don't have a budgeting system in place.

As you start your nursing career, think about what you may be interested in. The income as an RN is pretty darn good, and if you are careful, can support a one income family very well. I wouldn't obtain your MSN or DNP based on money, but because it's something you want to do.