Is it Worth it to Get My MSN?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I recently got accepted into an LVN to BSN program, but I've heard talk lately about getting an MSN. I have no interest in being a teacher, and I think I'd be happy working on a med-surg floor. Do you think its worth it to get an MSN? Thank you !

Dear Is it Worth it?

Congrats on being accepted to a BSN program!

There are different tracks for nurses pursuing an MSN. There's education, leadership, gerontology, informatics, Nurse Practitioner...just to name a few. So it's definitely not just for the nurse teacher. A BSN provides generalized education while an MSN focuses on specific areas of nursing.

Some people find great satisfaction in the personal achievement of obtaining an MSN and see it as gratifying professional development. It definitely opens up doors to many opportunities and gives credibility.

Is it worth it? It all depends on on what holds value for you, how long you plan to work, and your ambitions. I never saw myself as getting my MSN, but at the end of my BSN program, my instructor said "Go on. Your MSN will be no harder than your BSN, maybe easier."

On the first day of my MSN program, my instructor said "Once you have your MSN, you will never lack for opportunities". They both were right.

In your case, concentrate on getting your RN and know that you do not have to decide now. In 5 years, you will be a different person in terms of experience and exposure to different roles. The beauty of it is you can go back to school any time.