do you think a degree/ education is ever a waste?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

No. I got a Biology degree as part of a pre-vet program in the 90s. I decided not to go to vet school as it was a huge financial burden with not a lot of return (large animal). It helped me get into the teaching version of an ABSN (i got a teaching degree in 18 months taking just education classes). When I decided to become a nurse, again, it made getting into nursing school that much easier. I went the ADN route and am now finishing my BSN where I did not have to take any pre-reqs or electives. Education is never a waste. The teaching degree helps me in nursing assess learning abilities and makes me more comfortable in my teaching.

Asystole RN · Mar 3, 2015

There is no such thing as a wasted degree, only degrees that are not intelligently leveraged to benefit you or your career.

Infofreak411 · Mar 3, 2015

No. I got a Biology degree as part of a pre-vet program in the 90s. I decided not to go to vet school as it was a huge financial burden with not a lot of return (large animal). It helped me get into the teaching version of an ABSN (i got a teaching degree in 18 months taking just education classes). When I decided to become a nurse, again, it made getting into nursing school that much easier. I went the ADN route and am now finishing my BSN where I did not have to take any pre-reqs or electives. Education is never a waste. The teaching degree helps me in nursing assess learning abilities and makes me more comfortable in my teaching.

You were a school teacher? At what grade level?

nlitened · Mar 3, 2015

Education is never a waste, because it can always benefit you at some point.

Jules A, MSN · Mar 3, 2015

I disagree, although there definitely might be some benefits I think education can be a waste depending on the amount of time and money invested if someone changes their mind and wants to pursue a different avenue. Its not a big deal, more a part of growing up and exploring this wonderful world which includes trying things out and making mistakes. I'd embrace the experience but wouldn't try to justify every decision we make as a good choice. Hiding behind the cloak of education reminds me of those who attempt to justify extreme school loans as "good debt". I just don't buy it.

Nola009 · Mar 3, 2015

No, because at the very least it's a learning experience. As in you learned some things about yourself, others, met some people, shared some experiences with them that will forever touch you and vice versa. And even if you don't see HOW you are using a degree, you are using it in ways you might not be aware of. Plus, you can parlay it into another career later on. That's what I plan to do.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 3, 2015

Education is never a waste. What you do or don't do with that education is where any waste of your education would lie. My Bachelors is in Sports Med. I'm actually still reasonably good at doing ortho evals. I worked with Div III collegiate athletes for 2 years. I'm also a relatively experienced Paramedic. Did that for several years and I still maintain that license. Now I'm an RN. Along the way I found that I speak many "languages" that are nowhere near normal... Athlete, Coach, PT/OT, Orthopod, Parent, and Nurse in addition to English and a smattering of Spanish and even less French. Being able to talk to many different groups of people on their terms helps them understand what's going on and it also helps them quickly trust you in providing care.

While I never went into Sports Med as a long-term profession, that education (as rigorous as it was) made becoming a Paramedic very, very easy. It also made nursing school be a whole lot less stressful as I didn't have to build a new foundation of knowledge, rather I had to simply learn a new way to look at it.

When I earned my 1st Bachelors nearly 20 years ago, I wouldn't have seriously considered being a nurse. At that time, my education was far superior... but only for some very specific circumstances and I knew that and respected that their education was more broad than mine.

Pretty much every healthcare position that I've ever held has involved emergency medicine in some manner and I carry all that past knowledge and experience with me into my new job as an ER nurse. I will all that previous education... so it's definitely NOT a waste.

It is easy, however, to fall into that mental trap that you've wasted a lot of time pursuing an education in something and not feel like you can use that education.

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

Lets be honest, a general studies degree is a waste of 4 years...

Nola009 · Mar 3, 2015

Lets be honest, a general studies degree is a waste of 4 years...

I disagree. It's a nice accomplishment and obviously things were learned through testing, studying, researching, and paper writing. Did you know that many nice, decent paying office jobs really only require a Bachelor's Degree (any). In the very least, prospective employers see the value of a person who can complete what they started. If the OP is talking about the possibility of "wasting" a specialized education like nursing in favor of other pursuits, no it's still not a waste. OP, you can be proud of whatever degree you completed AND use it to your advantage in this job market. Some people in retail management management and other fields don't even have degrees.

nursejoed · Mar 3, 2015

It's more a function of if your debt level is a waste. Learning, per se, is not, but most employers look at only the "paper", i.e. B.S., M.S., etc. It would be great if there were more specific certificates of study that would satisfy both the documentation of learning and lack of breaking the bank...

RobotNurse · Mar 3, 2015

hell no, a 4-year liberal arts degree is not a waste. i make more money per hour with my liberal arts degree than nursing.