RN to MSN

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I am 23 and I've been an RN for about 3 years now. I really want to get my masters, currently I have my associates. My reservations are

* Deciding education vs leadership/management.

* I am still fairly young and would like to continue floor nursing for awhile, but this is the best time to continue my education as I am not married and no children. Is anyone aware of any nurses with a masters degree still floor nursing? Would this be possible?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Ah yeah, quite of few of us work the floors. Why not? There are at least 4 of us in my ED with Masters degrees. Mine is in Ed. I teach on the side for the fun of it at the local CC.

Which masters depends on what you like to do and your own strengths. Do you like teaching and precepting, or do you like managing and organizing things? Are you happier orienting a newbie or would you rather be the charge nurse? Do you want the autonomy of being an NP? Or are you into research?

You don't have to quit working to go on with another degree; online programs may let you take one or just a few classes at a time rather than go full time. I did mine over 5 years, just one class a semester. Of course, that costs a lot more (multiple semesters of student fees!)

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I missed the Assoc. part. Do your BSN next, you might find areas to concentrate on you didn't know about, or clarify some feelings about which long term goal you want.

Good luck!

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