what grad degree are you guys going to pursue?

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I got my BSN in January of 2013. It was my 2nd bachelors so I'm a little older (just turned 27). I'm starting to think about my future and the options that I could potentially pursue. I'll be working as an RN for at least the next 2 years, as I've got to pay off about 25K of student loans. After that, I'd like to pursue either NP, PA, or CRNA. I've contemplated trying to get into medical school, but I don't think that it's a viable option for a number of reasons. What do you guys think the best option is? In terms of earning potential, I think CRNA would be the best out of the first 3, but I don't know how much I'd enjoy working in the OR. Would be interested to hear from people in my shoes/who already have advanced degrees.

thanks

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I applied at University of San Francisco's DNP-FNP Program. I currently work in the ED. My future plans are to become a PCP and teach.

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I would like to be either an Nurse Anesthetist which is a 7 semester program here is ga or a CNM.

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Just got into CRNA school and relocated. My wife is also a nurse, and while job searching there are about 5 NP and PA jobs for every 2 critical care nursing jobs and every 1 CRNA job.

I have a feeling in this post-apocalyptic healthcare reform world that NP, PA and CRNA will be huge players - as long as they uphold the field and don't go into it for the wrong reasons.

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I thought about doing NP, but so many people are going that route right now. I don't want to finish NP school and not be able to find a job!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
I thought about doing NP but so many people are going that route right now. I don't want to finish NP school and not be able to find a job![/quote']

It's harder now to become an NP... They are going to start requiring all NP's to hold their DNP... Which not everyone is willing to do...

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I got my MSN/CRNA in 2009, DNAP Aug 2013, and will start my PhD in nursing next year. The USAF has paid for all of them!

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Specializes in ER.

Have you considered flight nurse?

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Specializes in Surgery.

You're still a kid. I got my BSN at 47. Hoping to start MSN/ EdD program this year. Got tired of the OR after 23 years and went into education.

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Got accepted into Ohio University's Master of Health Adminsitration program -nurses need to think outside of the nursing box when they pursue graduate level education if they want to have an impact on public health policy -MHAs, JDs, MBAs etc...

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry/ICU Stepdown.

None at this time. There are negative changes & developments in the industry and I'm planning to watch the developments for a while before I decide if I'm pursuing graduate education at all.

It's the American way: 100 thousand dollars in college loans to get a graduate degree, then drama and whining because the job market for advance practice nurses/teachers/whatever is not what they told you and you're having problems paying the loans back.

I'm afraid of becoming another sucker with a master's degree. There are millions out there.

Right now I make what I make as a floor nurse, but live well, and am I'm debt free. I'm afraid of being screwed over by debt/expenses again.

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I was considering Clinical Nurse Specialist once I get some experience, but I'm not sure of the job outlook. I feel as if Nurse Practitioner will eventually take that job away, but it was listed as the second top USA job somewhere I read.

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