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

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

Any education a waste? Absolutely not.

I know how to turn a sheep into a sweater, given time. Do I do this often? No. But you know what? When I have to try to get a ball of cotton out of a prescription bottle, I use my knowledge of spinning to grab that sucker.

I got an A in geometry in 10th grade. How is that useful? I had to find the center of a round piece of wood to drill a hole for an axle. Did it in an instant.

I took coursework in curriculum development and eduction theory in grad school. Do I have a teaching paid job? Nope, but I use it often in my paying jobs as a consultant. And, gee, I do a lot of teaching here.

I was an ace at diagramming sentences in 8th grade-- they even used one of my examples in the final exam. So what? Well, I still do a lot of writing and correcting bad grammar, and I get paid to do that.

And of course, my nursing BSN, now almost mumblemumble years old, and my MSN, ten years less that that years old, still open doors for me every day, doors that lead to paying work to support my household.

So no, whatever you learn, you own. You can't waste it, because it's all useful somewhere. Try to take the long view.

"Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate, no despotism can enslave. At home, a friend; abroad, an introduction; in solitude, a solace; and in society, an ornament. It chastens vice, it guides virtue, it gives at once grace and government to genius... "

-- Joseph Addison

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2015

I am starting to think my BSN was a waste.

sourapril · Mar 3, 2015

If you think your degree is a waste of time that means: 1 you didn't do enough research about the degree before you apply. 2 you may need another degree in order to utilize your first degree (i.e. I had a MPH before but I couldn't find a job in public health until I got my BSN), 3. You need to have more years of working experience before you can get the job you want with your degree (i.e. a new grad DNP is not going to work as a director of a health department until she has years of experience). So no, I don't think any degree is a waste, you just need to find a way to use it at the right time and right place.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 3, 2015

I think most of us agree that all education has some value. Humanities and liberal arts and well rounded education in general are important to society. Without them we would still be illiterate peasants toiling in the field the pleasure of his lordship.

But to say its okay for thousands and thousands of kids to take out massive, impractical loans to finance majors we all know will help few of them find gainful employment is irresponsible.

Will some kids majoring in anthropology make a career of it? Sure, a few. We all know that 99.9% will not. They will be lucky if it lands them manning the check out desk at the local library for 12 bucks an hour.

We clearly need to shift high school students early and in large numbers toward vocational education. High school was the broad, general education. After high school comes apprenticeship and on-the-job training. However much funding vocational education is receiving, it should receive more, at the expense of funding that would normally go to traditional universities. I think we all know this is true, no matter how warm and fuzzy the idea of everyone receiving the "grand tour" might make you feel.

Glycerine82, LPN · Mar 3, 2015

What you learned can never be a waste, but the money and degree itself, absolutely.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

There are so many variables. The biggest one being the type of person you are, and the life experiences that have made you that way.

Pragmatic vs idealistic.

I measure the success of everything by the return on my investment. Sometimes that's financial. Sometimes that's emotional. Sometimes that's physical.

I'd have to say that for me, an expensive education with no financial return, would be a waste.

Angeljho, MSN, NP · Mar 3, 2015

I feel like my MSN (management) is a waste at times. I was an ADN and wanted to further my education. I figured if I was going back to school, I'd rather get my BSN and MSN in one shot. I didn't want to take a break and then continue on. BIG MISTAKE. While I have the knowledge and experience to be great in management, I know it is not for me. I knew that during my program as well, but I didn't want to drop out after obtaining my BSN; I wanted to finish what I started. In short, I realized I wanted to be a psychiatric mental health NP while I was in the middle of my program. I plan on going back to school for that, but as of right now I'm a staff nurse, making staff nurse pay, and not working to the full extent of my education. My degree is not a waste in general, but it is a waste to me.

Infofreak411 · Mar 3, 2015

I am starting to think my BSN was a waste.

why, are you not liking nursing?

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2015

why, are you not liking nursing?

I haven't found a job!

Infofreak411 · Mar 3, 2015

I haven't found a job!

Well I'm sure when you do you'll love it and won't think your degree is a waste! Lol

amb_ram25 · Mar 3, 2015

Personally I don't think a degree or any form of education is ever a waste. There are a lot of people that have changed careers a lot of times due to certain reasons. one of those reasons could be that the career they got into doesn't pay a lot, or they can't find a job in their field, but regarding those concerns education is never a waste of time! it makes you wiser, smarter, and without education, you can't go any farther in life. say for instance I went for an art degree, and then I got my degree and couldn't find a job, if you have an education or a degree and you decide to go back to school, it looks good that you have a lot of education under your belt. education and learning might be difficult for some people but it honestly really pays off in the end. you could have three different degrees and only use one, but learning and having an education helps you advance in life.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

I am starting to think my BSN was a waste.

Then you're not using it hard enough.