RN to MSN for the new RN

[tecj]

I am currently finishing up my RN, testing next month (May). I was wondering for those of you who have done WGU RN to MSN executive program if you think a new RN would be successful. I've read reviews from experienced nurses, but I'm wondering if I don' have experience on my side how much I'm going to have to teach myself to catch up.

I have been working as an LPN in home health for about a year, so I am not completely inexperienced, but home health is very different from acute care, and of course, a year is nothing in the career span of a nurse. I still have much to learn, but I don't want to stop going to school for fear that I won't want to go back. Plus I work nights, so WGU will allow me the flexibility that I just can't get from my current university - I'm also very blessed to have an LPN job that allows me to do homework.

[MJB2010]

You can never have too much education and your patients will benefit from you having more knowledge. People in this program come from all kinds of nursing jobs, not all are acute care. I think you could be successful, but you might have to work a little harder in some courses, not all. It might take you a little more work to complete some of the classes, but if you have the time and desire to do it now, then I say go for it. Now, at the end, will it land you a management job immediately? Probably not without experience I am afraid. But eventually you will gain the experience and then you maybe not have time to go back to school. I say go for it. Most management jobs are looking for a combination of education and experience. I can't imagine you would ever regret having an MSN. It also opens up doors to all kinds of post masters certificates you might want to do later.

[Redsox07]

I think you'll be fine. And I think just about any future employer would agree - you are doing the right thing. I really, really love the flexibility of WGU. All kinds of things have happened in my professional and personal life since I started WGU more than a year ago - if I had started at a traditional brick and mortar school, I would have had to drop out a long time ago.

I wanted to add - it has been thrilling when I mention to some patients and patients' families "I'm going back to school for my master's" and they tell me they think that's wonderful, that I seem like a nurse who can be a good teacher to other nurses (that's my ultimate goal).