MSN or JD?

[CatherineCunniff]

Hey guys, BSN here. Thinking about going back for MSN/NP, but also considering JD, anyone on here who has both remember which one was easier? I feel like people build law school up to be tougher than Nursing school because people who go into law often had their bachelors in things like Poly-sci and they don't remember what it means to have a tough program, and before anyone gets offended, please know that I myself did one such degree (psychology) first, then when back for my BSN through an accelerated program, and I can hands down tell you nursing was a thousand times harder. I know I CAN do either program, and I think both fit my personality about equally. The problem is that I'm a single mom of two (ages 8 and 5) and while I want to make a better life for them and make something more of myself before I get too much older/they get too close to college age themselves, I don't want to loose my mind again trying to jugle more than is strictly necessary.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Have you considered an MSN/JD? There are combo programs available. In my organization, we have several of these folks in clinical risk management positions. Another hot graduate specialty for nurses is Quality/Patient Safety.

[Kala08]

As an attorney now hoping to become a nurse, I would advise you to think about what career you hope to pursue more than focusing on how easy the degree is to get. I went straight through from undergrad to law school with little knowledge or thought of what it actually means to practice law. Once I started practising, I realized that there are many aspects of the legal practice that are not a good fit for my personality; the system is highly and impersonal, and most of my days were spent alone at a computer writing/researching. I know some people who are unhappy in law, and some people who enjoy the career, so I would recommend that you speak with practising lawyers (or get an internship in the legal field) to find out more if the career is a good fit for you.

Yes, law school is very hard, but if you are really passionate about getting a JD and becoming a lawyer, you will likely be able to succeed. But don't just go to law school because you want to add on another masters degree or aren't sure what to do. During my three years of law school, my whole life revolved around school and studying. This is a huge investment financially and time wise! Again, if a JD is what you want, go for it! But I wish someone had advised me to learn more about what it means to work as a lawyer before I had gone to law school.