Master's after 40, is it worth it?

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

I am not trying t be funny. I have thought seriously over the past few years about going back for a master's degree. But looking into the programs, it appears as if it will cost about 35 grand. Is it worth it after 40?

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No. Enjoy life before you go senile.

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I sure hope it is (I say as I begin going for my bachelor's well after 50).

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

Depends on why you are doing it. If you're doing it because you think you will earn significantly more money, well it depends on what you're taking the master's in. You may or may not earn tons more cash and it may not be worth it from a financial perspective.

If you want to earn a higher degree because it will give you a sense of personal fulfillment, increase your knowledge base and make you ultimately a better professional (hopefully) then I would say it is absolutely worth it.

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What's up with questions like this? It is not like you want to get pregnant: your brain, unlike your ovaries, never stops working. I'll be (God willing) starting my masters when I'm 50. My friend, who is 57, is just starting law school. Money, also, need not be a hurdle: most hospitals I've looked at will partly pay for your tuition. Stop pondering, just go do it.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think there are a lot of ways you could do it for less than 35K. Choose a state school rather than an expensive private one or a for-profit one. Find an employer to help pay the expenses. etc. But even at 35K ...

As others have said, it depends what you want to do with it and where you are in life. A Master's Degree opens up a lot of other job options -- some of which might be of interest to you. Some of those jobs are a lot easier on the body than staff nursing and you may want some of those options as you age.

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Goooo for it.....If it's in your heart then do it...if not, you will always wonder "if"....and that's the worst part....:up:

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

I will go for it. It depends what you want to specialize. And the school interest you. Learning is a beautiful thing.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
What's up with questions like this? It is not like you want to get pregnant: your brain, unlike your ovaries, never stops working. I'll be (God willing) starting my masters when I'm 50. My friend, who is 57, is just starting law school. Money, also, need not be a hurdle: most hospitals I've looked at will partly pay for your tuition. Stop pondering, just go do it.

I have to agree....what IS up with questions like this? 40 is hardly ancient! I started my Masters Degree at 39, and had a baby (with my own equipment) at 42! Now I'm 50, mother of an 8 year old, and have had my Masters degree for 7 years. I work in Nursing Education (academic) and just got a promotion and raise (yes, in this economy), so..... yeah, it's worth it. I imagine I'll be teaching another 15 years or so, Lord willing.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Why not? I'm over 50 in a LPN/BSN bridge. If I was 40 something I'd sure like to do the MSN route.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

If you are not dead, it is not too late to learn.

Part of answering this question depends on your goals. Do you want to do so for personal satisfaction? For a raise? A change in job? If so, those are all great reasons.

If you are only doing it because you feel you "should," that is a different matter. I have a good friend who just finished her doctorate. She is 67. I think she's fantastic! Have another friend who just finished her masters in mid-50s.

There is nothing more invigorating than learning something you find interesting. 40 is the new 20 :)

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I have to agree....what IS up with questions like this? 40 is hardly ancient! I started my Masters Degree at 39, and had a baby (with my own equipment) at 42! Now I'm 50, mother of an 8 year old, and have had my Masters degree for 7 years. I work in Nursing Education (academic) and just got a promotion and raise (yes, in this economy), so..... yeah, it's worth it. I imagine I'll be teaching another 15 years or so, Lord willing.

^^This^^. I am a brand-new RN of one month and five months shy of my 46th birthday, but after reading a few posts like this, I can start to feel like I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I intend to begin a Master's program, God willing, when my son finishes high school, four years from now, just before I turn 50.

If you want to do it, go for it!:clown:

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