Should a LTC RN get a BSN?

[Stacy Lynn]

I am from Columbus OH area. I work in LTC/Rehab facility. Honestly, this is where I find my most fulfillment as a nurse. I love it. I worked acute Cardiac care and I really disliked hospital nursing. Since I plan on staying in LTC should I pursue a BSN? I've been back and forth on it, not wanting to limit my options. Opinions would be welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The BSN will open the doors to opportunities for which you'll be thankful if you ever become too weak or injured to reposition dead-weight elderly residents and push heavy med carts from room to room at the nursing home.

[Sour Lemon]

Age may be a consideration. If you're getting up there in years and looking for less physical work, the degree may help. On the other hand, if you plan to retire in a few years it may not be worth it.

If you're very young, I would say it's absolutely worth getting ...but at your own pace and in cash- no loans.

[Stacy Lynn]

I'm 43 :)

[Stacy Lynn]

Actually I'm 43

[SmilingBluEyes]

Well we can't tell you that definitively. Ask yourself this simple question: Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years? Plan accordingly. Education is never wasted, but if you are close to retirement, close enough not to be able to pay off student loans in that time------ then taking on a huge 10s of thousands' dollars' debt may not be a good idea. At 43, you probably are not retiring soon. So, the question remains, where will you want to be in the next, say, 10 years? Most likely the answer will involve a position requiring a BSN or higher, unless you want to remain right where you are til you DO retire.