MSN in EDUCATION...advice please...

[qtRN]

Hello! I am new here in allnurses.com forum and I find this forum very informative. Thanks to everyone who shares their experiences and knowledge to us...:wink2:

I am planning to take up MSN in Univ. of Phoenix online ASAP. I am working full-time in a med-surgical unit. I would like to ask for your advice, your opinion if I am making the right move.

I just don't know if I can handle my schedule because I heard that the school oblige the student to log in 4 times a week and on-line learning is more difficult than attending classroom classes because it is more intensive.

I am quite hesitant also about the financial aid. It is quite expensive, $465 per credit so I would be needing $1,395 in 5 weeks' time and that would leave me no savings at all. But I am worried about the interest rate of loans.

I also plan to be a Patient Education specialist and a Nurse Education specialist... is there anything I need to do aside from taking up MSN? What are the other career options with the MSN Education degree?

Thank you very much in advance.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Is there an online program thru one of the schools in your state? That would be cheaper. Will your facility offer tuition reimbursement? What about financial aid instead of a loan? Even the online programs offer help with finances if you qualify. I would ask about that. Meanwhile, I will say that the options are there for MSN if they appeal to you. MSN in nursing education means you are qualified to work in the education dept of facilities, become clinical nurse specialist in an area of nursing that you enjoy and be able to apply for manager and directors roles. I think you first need to decide what role you want, then get the education, licensure and certifications necessary for that role. Good luck!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I did my MSN (concentration in management and leadership) at University of Phoenix and yes, it was very expensive. However, I did the student loans and they seem quite affordable. It is not necessarily "harder" then in-person classes, just different. You do have to be disciplined.