School Again or Not?

researchrabbit · Aug 9, 2002

School is like chocolate. I never turn it down. :)

The question is, what do YOU want?

If you do have Degree Envy, what's wrong with assuaging that?

If you want more money, invest your 4 years in computer science. :) (just kidding)

Remember, 49 isn't old. 53 isn't old. I figure we're probably all working till we're 80 anyhow, with Social Security and the stock market where they are.

Carleigh · Aug 9, 2002

I do love school....if I was a rich person, I would not work at all....just keep taking classes!!

You've said a lot in this statement. I say go for it! Your employer will reimburse you, you're too young to retire :) and look at the additional opportunities you might have. I am 50 and just starting an ADN program so you're already ahead of me. I don't think it is degree envy, it's seems to be your personality to want to continue to take on new challenges. Good luck!

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 9, 2002

You're 49, and the program is 4 years. So, you'll be, what? 53 with a new degree. If you don't go, you'll be 53 and maybe wishing you'd done it.

If it's really what you want to do, go for it.

When hubby asked if you remembered how hard nursing school was, was he talking about hard for you, or hard for him?? You will need to consider how serious his objections are, and if the conflict is worth it. Mine was not thrilled when I went back for my BSN and then MN, but was supportive when I actually started.

Overall, I'd say trust your gut feeling. If you feel in your gut that this is what you should do, then it is.

spineCNOR · Aug 9, 2002

Greetings regnursein99,

Recommended reading-- Cheryl Mee's editor's column "Dear Colleague" in March 2001's Nursing 2001 about the unexpected benefits of going back to school. I keep this column in my school notebook and reread it often.

I am a diploma graduate from WAY BACK-- went back to school at the age of 47, graduated from the RN-Mobility Program at the age of 48, and expect to graduate at the age of 50 from a Master's program in nursing management.

I and my fellow "senior citizens" in the class have gained form school in ways that we could not have anticipated. Most importantly, I have gained some wonderful new friends that I would have never met otherwise. I have also gained new insights into nursing and workplace issues, improved computer skills, improved writing skills and inproved self-confidence.

Hubby is partially right-- going back to school is hard, it is a struggle and you will have to make sacrifices, but it is WELL WORTH IT.

However, Hubby is wrong about the "degree envy" -- education is the only way out of the bottom of the nursing food chain. Nursing needs managers that will be patient and staff advocates. One of the problems in nursing today is that there are too many managers and not enough leaders. Going back to school will make it possible for you to be in a better position to make a difference.

Go for it and good luck!!!!!!

:nurse:

DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN · Aug 9, 2002

Im doing that very program now and I can tell you this There hasnt been a day yet that I have looked back and wished I hadnt done it, Its something that Im doing for myself and like you I wish to make it better for those who follow in my footsteps. Age is irealavant, Im in class now with a woman well into her 60's and she is kicking our butts....., Her words for doing it is almost like mine, She was a LPN for 30 yrs, then got ticked off at work one night and went to Rn school, then got ticked again then went BSN, Im not sure what ticked her off this time but I thank whoever did it, shes is one of the best Nurses I have ever seen work with others and her patients...

Zoe

MollyJ · Aug 10, 2002

I think getting your husband "on board" for this effort is critical, otherwise you will fight about it a long time. If you do not or cannot get him on board, you either (IMO) endanger your degree effort or your marriage, depending on how he feels about it.

I attained a diploma way before marriage, a BSN while dating and in the early years of marriage and a MSN after the birth of a child. I could not have done the MSN if my husband wasn't on board for it.

Consider taking your husband to the information session with you. That way, he gets to hear about the info session, too, and maybe get some fears addressed.

Also, I was stressed out and crazed at times during my BSN and MSN effort, but all I can tell you is that it was not AS crazy as the diploma. The diploma was a major socialization, enculturization, vocabulary and knowledge process and the BSN and MSN were not quite as radical. In my BSN and MSN program almost everyone was a part time student and in the diploma everyone was full time.

Point out to hubby that the BSN/MSN is your best ticket to getting away from nights (weird shifts) and weekends and that as you age, you are less likely to tolerate those physically challenging shifts.

Now, I will tell you that by making your hospital the linchpin in funding your BSN/MSN effort, you tie yourself to (possibly?) full time work at the hospital. I worked FT for the largest part of the BSN (all except the last semester--but some of my classmates did it all FT) and part time for the MSN. I found it helpful to continue, during my degree effort doing a job I knew well that I could do with one hand tied behind my back, because some of your mental and emotional energy gets tied up in the degree effort and a new or time hungry job can really wear you out--I've seen that.

When you go to school, your husband goes with you. A supportive spouse is really helpful and I would really have to question whether it would be worth doing, if I couldn't get some kind of agreement from him--if not assent, tolerance.

Good luck.

mark_LD_RN · Aug 10, 2002

go for it! education is always a good thing.

misti_z · Aug 10, 2002

That sounds like a great oppurtunity........I wouldn't pass it up!! And hey your NOT old now but are you getting any younger?!?!?!

:chair:

Good Luck!