Getting MSN/FNP.... Good move?

[Shadrackbb]

I've been a hospital staff nurse for 17 years. Most of that time I've worked on an IMCU/ telemetry unit. I went back to school and got my BSN, graduating a few years ago. Working at the bedside on a very busy unit has burned me out tremendously, which is why I went back for my BSN. I thought it would make me more marketable. Well, as everyone knows, having a BSN degree has become commonplace and doesn't really get you anywhere; at least not out of the hospital! I recently looked into transferring to a home care position within the same organization and found out it would mean an 18.00$/hr pay cut for me!! Ridiculous! So now I've decided to go back to school yet again for an MSN/FNP degree. I figure this is the only way I will be able to leave bedside nursing and maintain my pay rate which I've earned with blood, sweat and tears over 17 years! I just hope this is a good move... I'm 43 and will be 46 when I graduate so I figure I have 20+ years left to work so I might as well make it as enjoyable as possible. I hope to find work in community nursing; maybe my local health department or in a clinic setting. I also like the idea of urgent care. Any MSNs or FNPs out there that can offer advice and reassurance?? Was advancing your degree worth it?