MSN--overwhelmed with options

RegularNurse · Jun 30, 2016

I am finishing my MSN at a large state university.

Please do not waste your time going to some online for-profit school like WGU.

You are not an RN just looking for the cheapest BSN because your employer is going magnet. You are getting a masters degree to demonstrate expertise. The jobs you will be applying for will expect you to have a reputable master's degree to demonstrate that you have the knowledge to create value.

Going forward, you will be evaluated by your output, not how many hours you worked. Do you really want to handicap yourself by not enrolling in an engaging program will you will grow intellectually?

Choose the best program that is priced within reason. You are making an investment in yourself as a professional. Your are not simply purchasing a diploma to check a box for a job application.

You will be competing against a completely different population of applicants for future jobs. Gone will be the days where people will bicker and complain about getting their preferred shifts. Your competition will be the over-achievers. Likely, these are the people who didn't struggle with their bachelors degree. In my experience, graduate school exposes people who simply study and operate within a system, with those who are truly intelligent and creative.

Who do you want to learn and grow with? The people trying to buy a credential from an accredited, but commoditizing online school, or those that are willing to pony up some additional time and resources to become truly competent?

BonnieSc · Jun 30, 2016

Thanks for your comment. What you say really speaks to me. There have been times where I wonder if I'm not a sucker for just getting the cheapest/easiest MSN when those seem to be accepted everywhere, but you're right. Even if I could get the same job with one of those degrees, I actually want to learn and grow while getting my degree.

RegularNurse · Jun 30, 2016

Thanks for your comment. What you say really speaks to me. There have been times where I wonder if I'm not a sucker for just getting the cheapest/easiest MSN when those seem to be accepted everywhere, but you're right. Even if I could get the same job with one of those degrees, I actually want to learn and grow while getting my degree.

Thank you!

I have always believed that the best way to get smarter is by being the dumbest person in the room. Choose your room wisely my friend!

Over and out,

RegularNuse

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 30, 2016

WGU is private NOT for profit and pretty reasonably priced. It is not the typical university but I think it's unfair to lump them in with the for-profits.

And I'm no WGU shill, I'm attending a State University for my program and only looked within my State because cost was a big consideration. WGU didn't offer the program I wanted (BSN to PhD) so they were never a consideration.

I have a seen a tendency among private for profits to offer breaks on pre-reqs or admission standards. Having said that, I've discussed WGU with coworkers and they often choose other programs because WGU has tough standards.

I agree that looking within your State's programs is an excellent place to start. Also when it comes to practicum time, they are more likely to have preceptor contacts. I had to take some MSN-educator courses for my program and they had an excellent preceptor contact at a private University less than 2 miles from my house (my U is 6 hours away).

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2016

I love the WGU platform, but l have always worried about how respected (or lack thereof) the degree will be and if it will hurt me rather than help. If I decide to go the education route, I don't want a resume that will end up in the shredder at colleges and universities looking to hire.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 30, 2016

Do you have contacts at places where you might like to work? For example, one of our unit educators is pursuing her MSN from a well known (but in my opinion not high quality) private for profits. She'll be sure to secure a higher position in the hospital when she completes because she is established in our hospital. Will she be able to go teach at University? I don't know but I suspect yes. Because, most nursing school positions for MSNs pay very poorly compared to acute care, so they are always looking for new professors.

When I did my practicum, almost every MSN educated professor had a weekend acute care job, not for their professional enrichment, but to pay the bills.

My recommendation is assess your market then ask around for details on specific schools.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 30, 2016

I, too, recommend going to a well-established, non-profit school with a good reputation -- assuming the price is within reason. While some of the "lesser" schools might be satisfactory to get the job you want ... my personal education has never been something I wanted to take chances with. You don't want to hear 10 years later that your school "went out of business" or lost its accreditation, or is under investigation by the government.

I went to an expensive private school for my BSN (father could afford it and I had a scholarship so that he didn't have to pay the full price). For my MSN and PhD -- for which I was paying myself -- I chose large, state universities with good reputations and curricula that matched my interests well. I continued to get some scholarships and graduated both programs with very small student loans that I could easily pay off in less than 5 years for each program.

lavenderskies, BSN · Jul 1, 2016

I love the WGU platform, but l have always worried about how respected (or lack thereof) the degree will be and if it will hurt me rather than help. If I decide to go the education route, I don't want a resume that will end up in the shredder at colleges and universities looking to hire.

I spoke with my nurse educator about this same thing: WGU vs our State University---and they said WGU was recognized (and used) by several of the staff at our facility including management.

featherzRN, MSN · Jul 1, 2016

As others have said, WGU is non profit. I know many grads at my facility and have seen no problems with the degree's acceptance. I have an MBA from WGU (chose not to get an MSN) and the cost was unbeatable. Of course, there are many good MSN schools to attend - I just had to stand up for mine. :) I've also known graduates from the for profits (chamberlain, etc) - they seem to do fine as well but you are going to be considerably deeper in student loan debt..

snikkio · Jul 2, 2016

I'm in the same position. I am currently enrolled at Aspen university....the weekly workload seems unreasonable compared to others I have spoken to at other masters level degree programs.

I'm not sure if getting a masters degree will make any difference in getting a decent job in this over saturated market. Every nurse I know is getting a masters degree...it's like the new normal.

I'm forever lost in finding my niche in nursing. I have done additional education in Occupational Health Nursing as well but.....can't find employment as they want many years of experience within the field....my 15 years as a nurse in other clinical areas doesn't count apparently.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I think I will focus on finding another career option.

random_nurse12 · Jul 6, 2016

I am a nursing professor and I am in a position in which I hire instructors and professors.

I would recommend a respected university in your state.

I will warn you that at least one large university system in my state will not hire any instructor or professor with a degree from a for-profit or WGU. I was shocked about the WGU part. I work in a community college and we will hire from any accredited MSN. But I would not want to limit myself by having a degree from a for-profit or from WGU.