carrob

Just a quick update: I have a new job that offers tuition reimbursement after 6 months employment. $5000 per year for education! I resume by the end of this year.

Sorry that this is happening to you; yes please keep us posted. This is one of the reasons I pay for annual malpractice insurance...legal advice and representation included! Good luck!

Msn2017 - thank you for your candid post. People on this thread say things like " just get your doctorate in this" or "become a NP first" - etc. It is so easy to advise that, however, these degrees are very VERY bloody expensive obviously. I have already completed 1/3 of the MSN-edu program and have now decided against finishing - partially for reasons you state. It commands low salary with high expense ratio - and many institutions prefer those with prior teaching experience and/or a DNP/PhD at this point. I am 52 and no one is assisting me financially in paying for this degree. I am too old to do something just to say I have a Master's and then have little else to show for it. MSN-edu does not seem to command the respect or proper place in the nursing profession which it deserves. I would only personally teach if, like others have stated, I was getting a Master's as an NP (which does not interest me at all). I decided to forgo the degree and get certified in my specialty area instead. Retirement savings and time have become more important than the degree at this point. The nursing profession is behind in deciding on what skill level/degree is required for what position. Thank you again for your honest assessment:)

woodsyny~ Thank you for your comment. It is well appreciated!!! That is the reason why I kept telling myself it would be worth it in the end: As I become tired, old, and/or feeble, I could likely use the degree in some way online, perhaps working much longer than I had originally anticipated. The thought of grading papers in comfy wear with a cup of coffee sitting and in my own home sounds very appealing. I am happy for you that you achieved your goal and have no regrets. Can I ask: did the hospital reimburse you at all? I was told that most normally do not as the MSN degree is not required for most positions (unless you are *already* in management). Perhaps you are getting loan forgiveness through Chamberlain? Is there any "push" or incentive for you to get your DNP/PhD? Or are you secure in what you do with your MSN? A former nursing supervisor (who had her Master's in HCA, NOT as MSN) achieved her PhD/Nursing in her 60's!!! She ended up teaching online courses full-time and loved working! I actually think (but not 100% certain) that it may have been Chamberlain as well. LOL – now I am having some doubt on my "final" decision. If I could guarantee some type of loan forgiveness, I would be happy! Thank you again. I am glad for the opposing views

Thank you elkpark for your detailed analysis and input. I decided NOT to complete the degree. I will invest the remainder of my time and finances toward my future and retirement. As you stated, it may be more beneficial to achieve specific education or certification on a much smaller scale. I do feel that the nursing profession has quite a ways to go in setting up consistent, specific, and necessary guidelines for what RNs really need in their professional endeavors...I mean seriously, they still have not even made the BSN the minimal entry point for RNs - lol. There is, at least IMO, very little financial incentive for me to achieve my MSN-EDU (e.g. no loan repayment, no tuition reimbursements, lesser pay in education careers, etc.) Thank you again - you were VERY helpful:)

Hello all: I need some serious advice from those who are contemplating, completing or have an MSN degree. First of all, this is not regarding MSN degrees in fields known as "advanced practice nurses" (nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives). I am talking about general MSN degrees in education, administration, policy, informatics, etc. The question is whether these paths are really, really worth the time and money... well, at least in my situation. Your honest feedback is appreciated and will be considered. I did start an online MSN education a couple years ago. This University allows 7 years to complete 10 courses and a 6 month practicum. The total cost is over $25,000 for 36 credits (approx. $2000 per course and $4000+ for the practicum). I was only able to get a few hundred dollars in scholarships. I took four courses already and have truly enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow students, the learning and all the research involved. I started this program with a desire to achieve a goal for myself and a vague hope of improving my career/financial prospects with a position in education or something similar. My doubts have been building for several reasons. I am 52 years old and would likely finish the degree by the time I reach 55 at my current rate. I wonder how many advancement opportunities I will really get and for how long. While I have been a nurse for many years in a variety of specialties (long-term, acute, home care, infection control, etc.), I realize that I have always been a shy person and never an extroverted leader type. I tend to gravitate to jobs at night without as much exposure to administration, physicians, family members, and other pressures. I know my job well enough to handle most situations and am comfortable and secure. To the point, where will all this additional time, money and stress (especially the six month practicum at the end) really get me in the end? Most instructor positions now require a PHD/DNP. Most other jobs I have had or considered really only need a BSN. In all seriousness, the DON of the nursing home I work at per diem only has her ADN! I have spent $8000 already, but don't want to spend even more money when I plan to retire or go part time by the time I reach 60. I am contemplating whether I should simply work a bit more to save more for retirement instead of spending another $17,000 and a lot of time on this degree. Again, all opinions are appreciated... ~carrob

Hello all. I want an opinion from those familiar with the WOCN field please. I have my BSN and about 11 years experiences in various nusring settings. I have seriously been considering taking one of the online courses available. They all roughly cost about $7000 total to become certified in all three modalities. When looking at various job sites, there does not appear to be a whole lot of job offerings advertised in the metro areas I have looked at. Not sure if this is due to a lack of advertising or just a lack of opportunities. Obviously, I do not want to spend a lot of money to get into a limited job pool. My plan is to move to a major metro area in the Southwest (not sure yet, maybe Phoenix, Denver, Vegas, or even Southern Cal). But I would want to get this certification before I move. Please advise. I do not mind if I work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, home care, or long term care...I just want an honest assessment of the demand. Thanks a bunch!

Hi MaryCarny and lissm: Just started the MSN/education at WGU (did my BSN elsewhere). I am glad to hear that the MSN is doable in a year. 1) How much weekly time did you put into the program. 2) How many months/weeks did you actually spend on the capstone in total? 3) When submitting answers on message boards, did the instructors ever respond with negative (or even positive) feedback? Or does it seem like you they seem to accept whatever you submit? I have noticed other people's submissions...and sometimes it seems that they are not fully answering the topic question, or I see errors in grammar. Just curious if you were ever asked to resubmit anything? 4) Do either of you have any other educational goals after the MSN here? Thanks in advanced for your feedback:) PS: and congrats on your achievement, MaryCarny!!!