Pros and Cons of doing Masters

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Hello!

I am a third year undergrad nursing student and planning on going for masters program the same year I graduate. However, before that I am thinking of considering the pros and cons because I have heard that I will have to spend a lot of money to get my Masters in nursing!

So, any suggestions for pros and cons of doing masters? How that will help me when I am working on a floor?

Thanks. :)

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Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

Congrats as you get to the end of your BSN. Looking at MSN generically I can't really think of any cons. My suggestion is to graduate and start to work for a year or two. You need to figure out what direction you want to take. Nursing has much to offer. Also if you are working most places offer tuition assistance that will help.

When I was a young student I wanted to be a pediatric NP. I have never done pediatrics. After 30 yrs of being a nurse I just finished my adult NP. Good luck nursing is a awesome career.

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Congrats as you get to the end of your BSN. Looking at MSN generically I can't really think of any cons. My suggestion is to graduate and start to work for a year or two. You need to figure out what direction you want to take. Nursing has much to offer. Also if you are working most places offer tuition assistance that will help.

When I was a young student I wanted to be a pediatric NP. I have never done pediatrics. After 30 yrs of being a nurse I just finished my adult NP. Good luck nursing is a awesome career.

Thank you for a great advice. :)

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Findoo, I have a similar plan. I got my RN diploma at a county college, and worked as a nurse while I got my BSN online (1.5years). I applied to MSN school while I was finishing the BSN. I got in the first try, which doesn't always happen, so I was glad that I had done it. At least if I didn't get in I could show them that I was serious by reapplying. I am a second career nurse, so I knew that I wanted to be a practitioner from the beginning. I chose NP over PA.

I am about to start my second year of my MSN (full time FNP program). I continue to work part time as I do it. It may or may not be the best route, but it is really working for me. I have a wonderful flexible job schedule that allows me to do this. Even though I don't have a vast amount of RN experience, it has not held me back. I feel as if I understand so much more nursing information now that I'm hearing it again in a practitioner point of view. I certainly feel that working while in school gives me valuable experience. I can apply what I am learning in my current job. You get a deeper understanding of pharm, patho, and the whys of what we are doing for pateints. This is, of course, FNP school, which is a specific MSN. It really depends on what you hope to do with the degree. But really, even if you got the MSN and never "used it" you will always use it. You will be a better educated and informed RN. It has so much value! With that in mind, I decided not to wait. You will make the best decision for you. Good luck.

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Is there a con? No, education is a good thing. Is it practical? Well, it depends on what you want to do with it. I'm thinking of a college I read about once that has a master's in "general nursing." The courses were devoted to nothing that directly involved making sick people get better, lol. If this is what you're looking for I'd say you're spending your money poorly. If you're going to do edu, NP, admin, etc. then go for it. If you plan on never doing anything but working as a clock punching RN (not that that's a bad thing) you'll find you won't really need it and likely won't get remunerated for it.

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Thank you all for replying. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.

It is important to get a job as some programs require a year experience, also it helps in both directions, when you are in class your work experiences help you figure out topics for discussions based on what you see everytime you go to work. At work your classroom experiences give you in edge in recognizing ailments, detoriation or improvement in a patient's condition. Working and going to school can be hard sometimes, you have to really manage your time well. The only con is that it can be time consuming. However if you keep going at it you can make it through!

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What do you think about the MSN degree Education vs Informatics concentration? I'm kind of tossed between the two programs at the moment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Hello Everybody!

Thank you very much for your great replied and I would like to gladly inform you that I applied for the MScN program just to see if I get in or not and... I got in. Also, the University offered me an entrance scholarship too!

Thanks again!

Findoo :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.
What do you think about the MSN degree Education vs Informatics concentration? I'm kind of tossed between the two programs at the moment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure if your comment was directed to me or the topic starter, but you should research and see where your passion lies, if you like bedside and want to inspire future nurses education should be your route, all the best

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Specializes in OB/GYN,PHN, Family Planning.

I just completed my MSN after being a RN BSN since 94. I do agree that working experience is important before starting a MSN program as it helps with assignments and papers to pull from past experience. I enjoyed my MSN program as I was able to minor in public health and took my last 4 classes in the school's MPH program. Find a MSN program that matches your interest. I have no interest in becoming a NP, hospital administrator, etc...

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