Masters Degree-advice Needed!

suzanne4, RN · Mar 15, 2007

Hello guys, I'm a new-grad nurse from the Philippines. I have been offered a scholarship program by a University in New York. It's Master's Degree in Social Injustices. It's for 2 years and I don't have to live in NY because it's by distance learning. I just have to submit the paperworks and assignments via the internet. A friend of mine who is currently enrolled in the program said that it will require a lot of readings and paperworks. I'm planning to take the NCLEX and I'm afraid that I would not be able to focus on it if I pursue the Masters program. But I'm willing to work hard for it if it has an advantage to my profession. What do you think are the advantages of taking this course in relation to nursing? Do you think I should go for it?
Thank you very much for your insights.

That course will not benefit you in any way to begin work in the US as an RN. Especially that you will need petitioning for the green card. And be aware that just because the program is on-line, most require some time be spent each year at the school, may just be a week at a time, but they usually have some type of requirement.

Which university in NY? And what type of scholarship? And how much of the tuition are you responsible for?

raquiza · Mar 15, 2007

The school is St. John's University in Queens. The program will start on July. Students have to spend one month in Rome, from July to August. St. John's has a branch in Rome. Then they will go back again in Rome a few months before graduation. So that's 2 whole months abroad. The course is absolutely free.

We've been doing volunteer work here in the Philippines with a group of missionaries based from Spain. They were the ones who endorsed us for the scholarship. Some of our co-volunteers started a year ago. Their only complaint was the course requires time and effort (ofcourse)...

Your advice is highly appreciated...

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 15, 2007

Sounds like a legitimate program offered by a mainstream, Catholic university in the US. I looked at St. John's University website and found info on the program. The way I see it, any advanced degree or education is good as far as acquiring new knowledge. The fact that you are being offered a scholarship to this program is also a plus because I can only imagine the cost of tution in this school being that it is privately-run.

You have to re-examine your goals before you comit to this program. This will definitely not help in advancing your knowledge in clinical nursing. However, there may be positive benefits of having such a degree in terms of seeking jobs in international health, missionary work, or other humanitarian agencies. Is this the direction you wish your career to head to? or is your goal to take the NCLEX and work in the US as a nurse in a clinical setting? If you are more inclined to pick the latter option, I am afraid this program may hold you back from pursuing this goal. On the other hand, there is a visa retrogression that is pushing nurse migration to the US in a backlog. Maybe it's worth your time to do something else worthwhile until opportunities in the US start picking up again. You decide.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 15, 2007

And as I stated, it requires that you are someplace for a certain length of time. Not all on-line.

It is two year program, and you will need to commit to that. You will not be able to start work in the US during that time as you will not be able to take the time off to fulfill the requirements of that program. Not sure how long the retrogression will last, but this is something that you need to consider. An employer is not going to petition you if they cannot get you full time and you do not even earn vacation time until you have been in the US for one year. At least that is how most employers do things.

Any extra coursework and training will benefit you, but not this type of program in the clinical settings. Even with going for this degree, there is nothing that you will be able to do with it until your contract is completed in the clinical setting.