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Discussion

should i go to grad school or not ?

Hey everyone! I am in the second semester of nursing program. I have a really important question and i need some advice on it - should i go to grad school to get my masters in nursing or just become an RN? i know a lot of students go to grad school to get their masters. But i feel like the studies at grad school would be more overwhelming (i am already finding the nursing school super hard) . Plus, it takes another three years to get MSN.

But at the same time, nurse practitioners also get paid more. Can anyone give me some advice on the pros and cons of becoming a nurse practitioner by going to grad school????

Will i be better off by just getting my BSN??

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    • Featured Replies

    Weeellll take it one step at a time. Graduate and get your first job and you'll figure it out.

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    What do you want to do in nursing?

    I'd start there, then figure out if a master's program is the route you need to take in order to achieve your goals. NPs do not necessarily, by default, make more than RNs. Plus, remember that it costs money and time to go through a master's program, so really, do the math and see if the increase in pay is worthwhile. But again, unless your ultimate goal requires it (like mine does), don't worry about it yet.

    Also, don't go straight through to an MSN program. It's really difficult for APNs to get jobs as new grads without prior experience. Work for a few years after you get your RN, and go from there.

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    • Experts

    I agree with the previous posters. I know a lot of nurses with MSN's who make less money than nurses with only BSN's. Don't count on that.

    Graduate, get a little experience -- and figure out what type of work you like to do. Then identify a career path that will qualify you for jobs that do that kind of work. If that involves an MSN, then get an MSN. But be open to lots of possibilities -- some of which you won't be in a position to evaluate until you have more experience. Be patient and let events unfold. If you try to rush the decision, you will be more likely to make a poor decision and regret it later.

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    Do you know exactly what you want to do with an MSN? No? Then don't go. Graduate school takes three years of your life, untold hours of studying during those three years, and it's expensive. Make sure you know exactly what you're getting into and what you want out of it before signing up to go. In the meantime, concentrate on your current educaton, get a job and find out what nursing is like in the real world. Maybe you'll be happy at the bedside.

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    Ya I would say to wait and figure it out. Also, a LOT of NP programs will not accept nurses without them having experice, no all, but most. You are only in your second semester of school, so much will change between now and the time that you graduate, let alone graduate- get accepted to a program- and start school.

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