To Master or Not

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2016

I hear you about weighing the costs at a certain point in life. I'm thinking about grad certificates instead. In my state, many contracts give you a boost if you have your B.S. + 15 credits. Also, I would pick things that are of interest to me professionally.

Farawyn · Sep 20, 2016

I wouldn't.

kidzcare · Sep 20, 2016

Besides a school certification for some states,do you think it is worth the expenses to pick up a Master Degree to stay as a school nurse in her late 50's? I think I would get $1000 a year more. Also can anybody recommend a cheap online degree program that requires no campus or clinical visits? I quests I'm also looking at maybe working from home in retirement.

I'm surprised it's only $1000/year more.

Look into WGU. It can be relatively inexpensive.

ETA- I am finishing my certification for school nursing right now. A few more credits after that and I'll be BSN +15 which is ~$2000/year more. I will probably eventually get my master's as well which is another $2000.

MHDNURSE · Sep 20, 2016

Honestly, I wouldn't. It's a HUGE expense that at $1000 more per year, realistically, you will never earn back what you paid to get the degree. I am a PNP and earned my MSN in 2001. I will be paying back those loans forever, and while personally I feel good about having the education and knowledge, I don't think I am any more qualified than a seasoned RN.

Windchaser22 · Sep 20, 2016

I'm getting mine and it will move me up on the contract however, it's really for later when I'm done with SN so I can be an adjunct.

kummerspeck · Sep 20, 2016

I'm in the RN to MSN program at SNHU. However, I am probably going to pause after I finish my BSN in July because I'm pretty much overcooked when it comes to school right now. I just want to pay off my loans (in three years) and be able to breathe for a minute. SNHU is online and I don't believe their MSN degrees require any "physical" classwork.

secondlifenurse, MSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

For an additional $1000/year, what is the cost of school? Who's paying for it? If my employer wanted me to have it and would pay for it and I had the stamina, sure, I guess. And beyond the monetary cost, do you want to give up your free time studying and doing school work?

MikeyT-c-IV · Sep 23, 2016

I don't think I would unless your employer offers tuition reimbursement. I have many years to go in my career so I am working on my MSN right now. My employer offers $5500 a year in tuition reimbursement so I think its worth the effort. Plus I don't want my degree to hold me back from a potential opportunity in the future. In your case, I'd consider the return on your investment or if you plan to change jobs that would require a MSN.

Have you researched your state colleges that offer MSN 100% online? We have several in my state. I considered cost and reputation. I was fortunate to find a great school.

allnurses Guide · Sep 23, 2016

I wouldn't.

Here in California, you need a BSN to be a school nurse. They give you 5 years to get a School Nurse Credential and my school district wasn't going to help me with the costs.

I went back to school to get my BSN during a period in my life where I was sort of lost about what to do with my nursing career. I didn't do it to be a school nurse. That sorta just landed in my lap later.

The truth is, I didn't like the job even though I stayed for 5 years. And I'm 59 and still paying off that loan.

If I could go back and talk to myself, I'd tell myself not to do it. Mostly, I wrote APA papers . . . none of that really changed the kind of nurse I was or added to my knowledge base.

It is an individual thing - if you are young, I'd say go for the BSN. If you were near retirement age, like me, I'd advise against it. I'm trying hard to get out of debt. Retirement looks good to me - just not the getting older part.

I can spend more time with grandkids and doing mission trips to Vietnam and getting the chance to really help people using my nursing skills.

Good luck in making your decision.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Sep 23, 2016

Here in California, you need a BSN to be a school nurse. They give you 5 years to get a School Nurse Credential and my school district wasn't going to help me with the costs.
I went back to school to get my BSN during a period in my life where I was sort of lost about what to do with my nursing career. I didn't do it to be a school nurse. That sorta just landed in my lap later.
The truth is, I didn't like the job even though I stayed for 5 years. And I'm 59 and still paying off that loan.
If I could go back and talk to myself, I'd tell myself not to do it. Mostly, I wrote APA papers . . . none of that really changed the kind of nurse I was or added to my knowledge base.
It is an individual thing - if you are young, I'd say go for the BSN. If you were near retirement age, like me, I'd advise against it. I'm trying hard to get out of debt. Retirement looks good to me - just not the getting older part.
I can spend more time with grandkids and doing mission trips to Vietnam and getting the chance to really help people using my nursing skills.
Good luck in making your decision.

No one will tell you, but that BSN helped land your job. My wife took two years looking for work because she was a diploma nurse. She was a diploma nurse with 28 years experience in IMC. She was a diploma nurse with charge experience. Her lack of BS meant everything. All things considered, an inexperienced BSN looks more attractive than a experienced RN with diploma or ADN. The bottom line is seldom pt. safety or satisfaction, the thing higher ups like is what it looks like on paper, that's what impresses other higher ups and the media.

BeckyESRN · Sep 23, 2016

My husband is doing WGU's masters program right now and he loves it. The tuition is significantly lower than any where else that he researched, it's 100% online, you can go through classes at your own pace, and they offer tons of student support(plus you get an awesome coffee mug!)