Is it worth it?

arciedee · Feb 23, 2007

I think the answer to that question is another question: Is it worth it to YOU? It's pretty well-known that most doctorate nurses are not pulling in much (if any) more than a master's prepared nurse. But many people pursue it because of their career goals or their own personal desire. I'm in a direct-entry MSN program now that is pretty much just going to prepare me for bedside nursing... so why didn't I just go to a local community college where the course load and cost would be so much lower? Because the MSN is worth it to ME. I can picture myself being perfectly happy at the bedside for the rest of my career (though I expect that will change), but I wanted to go that extra step. But it certainly isn't worth it for everyone and I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.

Sorry this doesn't answer your question explicitly, but I think the worth of a doctorate really depends on your desires and motivations.

Asherah, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2007

I've been reading a bit about future mandates in relation to advance practice nursing and the DNP or DNSc requirements. In terms of my personal interest, I've been focusing on the fact that the AANA may require a candidate to hold a doctoral degree if they wish to pursue a Nurse Anesthetist role. The magical date they keep throwing around for this requirement is 2015. I know you asked a more general question, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 23, 2007

Education is not an end point. What you do with that education is what I think is important. I did realize as an ADN that I wasn't sure I could keep up that pace until I was 70 which is realistically how long I have to work. So...back to school I went. For me, I don't think getting a doctorate is going to make any difference in my job, so I can't afford to spend more time and money in school. However, for someome 20 years younger, it might be worth it.