Should I get my masters? 48 years old with 24 years experience

scottaprn · Aug 6, 2015

I never advise anyone to get a master's unless they know what they want to do with it.

Often in nursing we "plug and play" master's degree specializations without realizing that the specializations exist for a reason. If you want to be an educator get an MSN with a specialization in being an educator. It won't make you an instant expert but it will help prepare you better than other specializations.

Decide what you would want to do with your masters and go for it.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 6, 2015

I agree with the previous poster. I am all for higher education -- and generally encourage people interested in it to pursue it. But graduate education is for developing expertise in a specialty area. If you don't know what specialty area interests you, wait a while and figure that out before you throw your money away.

At 48 years old, that's not a good time to be taking on a lot of debt unless you know it will lead to career advancement. If you can identify how you will use that MSN to further your career, then the expense might be worth it. But to do it "just for fun" with no plans to use it? ... That's only for people with no financial concerns. If someone is fortunate enough to not have to be concerned about the money, that's one thing. But I doubt most nurses fall into that category.

smileyfacefee · Aug 6, 2015

Just an FYI...instead of leadership and education u can also look into nurse practitioner, nursing informatics and nurse anesthetist

Career Columnist / Author · Aug 7, 2015

I believe I'm a tad odd? in that I like being a student. Education really changed me and changed my life.

Being exposed to higher education and new ideas changed how I think. I have more credibility to influence nursing. I have more job security and options when the body gives out :).

Reading this reader's question, I felt a kindred spirit, a sense of "I just have to do this"

I'm thinking of going back for my DNP. Most everyone who knows me is encouraging. It's a personal life goal more than an end job goal.

But, that's me. First let's see if I get accepted somewhere. I'll keep you posted, and I hope the OP will, too.

cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 7, 2015

I was over 50 when I received my MSN Ed. I was an ER/specialty nurse and I knew physically I would not be able to continue. I needed to look for options as retirement would be far away. I planned to sit on the beach and do on line teaching. That didn't quite turn out, but a door opened for a Director for a Practical Nurse Program, I am coming up on the end of two years now. Academia is definitely a change and it was like moving to a new country and learning a new language, but having influence in how nurses graduate and what skills they graduate with is very rewarding. Open up your options you are young and have a great deal to offer young nurses, go for it. We teach our students that healthcare is lifelong learning, never stop learning.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2015

I believe I am not like most people re: how much I value education. I look back and see how much education has changed me.

I respect your point of view, and I wish more people valued education for education's sake. I used to believe that kind of thing myself.

However, we have to live in the real world where formal education is horribly expensive. You can learn how to do anything from a textbook. I can teach myself a foreign language, learn how car engines work, or learn about history from a $2.00 used textbook in a used book store.

My first bachelor's ended up being a "waste" because when I graduated, I could not find a job that paid any more than I was already making that I was willing to do, so I continued to make $10.50/hr at the same job I was already working. Did I learn a ton? Of course. Did some of those classes challenge me mentally and make me a better person? You bet. However, I could have learned everything I learned in that degree for free instead of paying thousands of dollars for it, and I could have been just as challenged finding a meet up group or visiting an internet forum and chatting with knowledgeable members about those same subjects. I would bet I could have even talked to the same professors that taught me if I got ambitious, googled their emails, and sent them an inquisitive, respectful email about their speciaties.

Paying for something you can easily do for free is for two kinds of people - 1. people that need that piece of paper as proof that they know the information because their employer requires a degree, and 2. people who are independently wealthy. I wouldn't pay $40,000 or $100,000 for a piece of paper I don't need and that I don't even know I want to use if I get it.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 7, 2015

I enjoy education, too. I've spent 11 years as a full time nursing student. My favorite job was the Research Assistant job I had in grad school, making $13,000 per year in the 1990's. When I went back for my PhD, I had no concrete plans for what I would do with it after graduation. In fact, I ended up back doing the same job I did before my PhD, for the same salary. At age 60 (and post PhD), I am still in the same job category and the same salary I was in when I was 35 (pre-PhD) -- and I don't regret having spent that $100K and 5 years of my life on that PhD.

But I was/am single with no kids and was/am financially comfortable. I had no debts, the economy and job market were different, and retirement was still 30 years away for me. The questioner in this case is in a far different situation than I was. She needs to be financially careful at her age -- and it would be wise for her to pause and be sure that any investment she makes in her education now would be financially prudent. Grad school might be worth it in her case, but she should think it through and figure out "what she wants to be when she grows up" before paying her money, and I suspect, going into debt.

MelissaBarthold · Aug 7, 2015

I am somewhat....mature.

I got a diploma at 21....then a MSN at 50........and just finished my DNP at 66. I got both my degrees because I wanted to. Those degrees opened up new avenues for me that wouldn't have been available without them. There are many things I can do now ----starting on my third career!

I absolutely say yes -- get that MSN. Learning never stops -- and it's just a great way to keep learning.

Melissa

Nursetonp · Aug 10, 2015

I respect your point of view, and I wish more people valued education for education's sake. I used to believe that kind of thing myself.
However, we have to live in the real world where formal education is horribly expensive. You can learn how to do anything from a textbook. I can teach myself a foreign language, learn how car engines work, or learn about history from a $2.00 used textbook in a used book store.
My first bachelor's ended up being a "waste" because when I graduated, I could not find a job that paid any more than I was already making that I was willing to do, so I continued to make $10.50/hr at the same job I was already working. Did I learn a ton? Of course. Did some of those classes challenge me mentally and make me a better person? You bet. However, I could have learned everything I learned in that degree for free instead of paying thousands of dollars for it, and I could have been just as challenged finding a meet up group or visiting an internet forum and chatting with knowledgeable members about those same subjects. I would bet I could have even talked to the same professors that taught me if I got ambitious, googled their emails, and sent them an inquisitive, respectful email about their speciaties.
Paying for something you can easily do for free is for two kinds of people - 1. people that need that piece of paper as proof that they know the information because their employer requires a degree, and 2. people who are independently wealthy. I wouldn't pay $40,000 or $100,000 for a piece of paper I don't need and that I don't even know I want to use if I get it.

Well said!

RoxyDi · Aug 12, 2015

As a fellow nurse over 50 who has gone back to school twice now, starting at age 49, I agree that it is a great thing to do if you really do plan to use the degree. I was a diploma grad from the 70s who managed to get into several positions usually requiring BSN degrees, because of my professionalism and determination to learn what I needed to know to do the job I desired. I've had several certifications along the way, too, and each accomplishment helped me achieve my next goal. I don't think we should ever stop learning, but the choice to participate in a formal education vs personal learning is determined by the goals. For me, I knew that stopping with the BSN was not going to work longterm, because I know that I have the potential to drive the bus, and I can't do it without the master's! For those who think this should be a ROI question only, would you also suggest that the same amount spent on foreign travel or a luxury cruise is also a bad idea if there isn't a longterm benefit? I believe that all learning is as valuable as a vacation that is here and gone in an instant, and I don't have to know that I will recoup dollar for dollar what the degree cost me, although I have no doubt that I will. Best of luck to those who go for it!

xjamxtc · Aug 17, 2015

depends on you - only you can answer that. some of my happiest times was when i was working low pay jobs---was really happy. masters may put you were you wont like to be.

my father was head of his department- he was the best at what he did- but there was just no way that he was leaving his position to become management

up to you -how much time and money are you going to spend for what in return?

Should I get my masters? 48 years old with 24 years experience

Should she/he get her/his Masters?