Is it really worth it to get your bachelor in today's economy?

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I'm thinking about starting a bsn-rn program,the reason for that is the hospitals in my state are not hiring and I work part-time in a home health care so I have some time on my hands although I'm planning to look for a second job in addition to working in a home health care (basically I want to have two jobs like maybe one in a doctor office and then keep my home health care)....also I would like get my bachelors since I havent been out of school that long (only since may 2009) I dont have any kid,I'm not married I live with my mom and have two dogs:)))) So pretty much I have some time on my hands but I know that with having two jobs (as I'm planning to have,one full time and a second home health job as part time) and full time school for bachelors I will be insanely busy?! Is it doable?!Also I hear it is easier to land a hospital job with a bachelor degree..I have seen many ads where it says Bachelor preffered but then again I have met some BSN new grads from good reputable school who cant find jobs,then again I'm sure it is easier to get in one of those new grad programs right.I feel that now my priority is find a good job and getting a nursing experience but with this economy I feel that I might as well go back to school.I wasted one year and by now I would arleady have had half of my bachelor and since I cant find a full time hospital job I feel like I wasted so much of time whereas I could be working toward my education,then again I'm afraid to comitt to a two year program study,what if a good hospital job comes along (one can dream right?) and I will get all those loans for my bachelors and then I fail the classes??? Are there any nurses out there who managed to work full time (and also had another part time job) and managed to finished RN-BS program (online).Did your life changed after that,did your career took a better turn>was it worth it?

Specializes in M/S; LTAC.

Get your BSN. I am finishing mine, and wish I had not waited this long. It is doable working full-time, but you pretty much lose your social life, especially those with kids that take priority. You will never regret it, and will be glad to have it some day as it may give you more options in the job market.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.

Get the BSN. I had a bachelor's in business and went back to earn my BSN (this was over 20 years ago and there wasn't any discussion of ADN vs BSN). I worked critical care straight out of school, and when I wanted to leave the bedside, my BSN put me at the top of the hire list. Glad I had my BSN.

I never thought I'd go back to school (maybe even swore it off), but here I am completing my MSN. It would have been much tougher, longer, and prehaps off-putting if I didn't have the BSN.

Go for the BSN. You won't regret it. I promise.

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Agree with onaclearday because that's my experience. That said, my present CNO has made it clear that she will promote based on education and not experience. Elitist, yes, deluded, in my opinion, most certainly. I'm not trying to rub anyone the wrong way, really- when I say that some of the worst nurses I work with now or have worked with in the past, are the most educated, pursuing or have received their Bachelors or Masters. More time at the bedside learning clinical skills and practicing patient care would have been a clear plus, if one is going to be that member of management who tells everyone how to do their jobs, who develops even more policies and, sigh... more places to chart and rechart.

But like I said, just my opinion.

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Yes I agree, don't procrastinate. It will be rough at times, but it's doable. The tuition won't be as cheap as it is right now. :)

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Go for it. Empower yourself. Get your BSN. I've notice the job ads. BSN preferred, then have certification doesn't hurt. It's an investment to see other titles behind your name.

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Get it - this economy won't last forever and there are predictions of a shortage in 5 years when my generation finally hangs it up. Additionally, a BSN will make you more marketable for nonhospital nursing jobs.

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Yes, get your BSN. I think in the not to distant future it will be required in some areas and especially to advance in your career, like management. I started with my LVN then went to ADN. I wish I had the chance to get my BSN. I don't think at my age I will though. I would love to be certified in pediatrics, but can't because I don't have my BSN.

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Its a great Idea to get your BSN. I know that it will open up managment oppertunities for you in the future .

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Specializes in Surgical, Critical Care, LTC & SAR.

One piece of advice (not sure if its already been mentioned) is that many places of work will pay for continued education, so get your BSN for free (or at least near free!). My job (in the hospital) pays for school after only a 60 day period of work to begin with so I say get the job first, then the BSN. I have found in all my interview processes that most places don't really care whether you have a BSN or not if you are a new grad, you are a new grad. Best of luck to you!

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Thanks for your opinions...I decided to go for it!!! I'm in the middle of enrollment process,I start November.10.

I'm also saving money to get a wound care certification in December.

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Get the BSN. There may come a time when you will thank your lucky stars that you got this out of the way now, rather than leave it on a forever back burner.

Don't leave it on the back burner! I am 54 years old and back in school for my degree. Even though I have many years in the nursing profession, I cannot transfer out of a patient care area without a degree. Does it tick me off? Yes, but it is the reality of this profession today. On a lighter note, my braincells don't synapse aw well as they used to and it takes more effort to do my assignments!

Get the degree

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.
Don't leave it on the back burner! I am 54 years old and back in school for my degree. Even though I have many years in the nursing profession, I cannot transfer out of a patient care area without a degree. Does it tick me off? Yes, but it is the reality of this profession today. On a lighter note, my braincells don't synapse aw well as they used to and it takes more effort to do my assignments!

You will find that the younger students will be turning to you for nuggets of clinical knowledge. Your experience will enrich their learning. Kudos to you for taking the bold step of earning your degree. I would have added "at your age," but considering I'm the same age as you, I will just give you a pat on the back. (actually, I hold my age as a badge of honor!)

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