Money!!!

[tgirl84]

Not to sound all about the money, but which Master's degree will pay off the most financially. I am an RN, BSN and want to further my career. I know about CRNA, but what other options are there? I am really frustrated because there are so many great options out there. Any advice?

[djc1981]

While a CRNA does have the highest salary, NPs can do quite well too. The average salary for 2007 was about 82K. If you work in a hospital, it can be upwards of 100K. There are other things such as clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives -- but I'm not as familiar with their pay.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Combined MSN/MBA opens a lot of doors

[suzanne4, RN]

More importantly, it should be what you truly want to do. The money is always going to follow if you really enjoy what you are doing, and it will diminish if you do not like it.

Pick something that you would truly want to do, and then go by that. Be aware that what may be paying well now, may not do so in the future.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As you said, there are LOTS of options. Choose the one that will fit your personal strengths and preferences the most -- without thinking too much about the money. Really, if you are doing work that truly fits who you are as a person, the money will follow. If you are miserable in your job, you will not be very successful at it and that will end up costing you money.

Job hopping costs money because it decreases your accumulation of benefits, senority, retirement funds, etc. It also keeps you on the lower rungs of the career ladder (even the ladder of people with graduate degrees). To advance to the highest levels of compensation, it helps a lot to build a solid record of achievements -- and it is much easier to do that if you are basically happy in your work and doing work that suits your personal preferences and talents.