To be an RN or not to be an RN.. That is the question

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Here's the deal. I've been an LPN for a little over a year now at a LTC facility. I've learned so much and I continue to learn everyday. But now I feel like its time to make a career move. The issue is, I dont know if I want to continue on in nursing, get my RN license or if I want to pursue a Masters degree in Psychology with I currently have a BA in. I can't say that Im in love with the nursing profession. To obtain my RN license I think the best path would be to get my associates, become licensed and then pursue my BSN. School is so expensive now days and I already have HUGE loan payments to make, I want to make the right choice. Does anyone else have a second degree/career they've thought about choosing over nursing? Financially, which profession would be the smarter choice to pursue? Is a year not long enough to make a career move decision?

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty.

I'm right there with ya, I've been an LPN for about a year and half now. I like it but do I love it? I still don't know. I've looked into going back for my RN and there are many scholarships out there. Your facility may even offer tuition reimbursement. I know for me the longer I wait to go back to school the less I want to do it. Maybe set a time frame of like 6 months from now to make a decision and in the mean time do your research. What would be the pay increase once you graduate? How much would it cost to complete the degree? If you decided to go with your other choice what type of position could you expect to get and what is the salary for that? And finally do you like being a nurse, can you see yourself in this profession for the next 30 years?

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Thanks for the feedback! The best part of my job are my patients as I like to say.. other than that, you can have it lol I love getting to know them and just talking to them. My facility does not have tuition reimbursement. I don't think I would want to work there as an RN any way. Understaffed and overworked, which seems to be the way of nursing now days. I think that's another turn off for me. The school I looked at which would give me an associates was $17,000. I'm not sure how much it would cost to go from RN-BSN as most of the job postings I see say "BSN preferred". The pay increase would vary depending on the setting you work in. I've seen postings for agencies that offer $42/hr. The average salary for my area is $92,000 (according to indeed) but that's in specialties and hospitals. A Masters in mental health counseling cost about the same. The average salary is $84,000 ,again, according to indeed. I feel as though nurses are so unappreciated, I don't see myself doing it for 30 years. And then you have those who do it for 30+ years and are still in love with it..

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty.
The best part of my job are my patients as I like to say.. other than that, you can have it lol I love getting to know them

I think you have your answer right there if the other option is to get your Masters to become some type of counselor. Nursing is a messy job, it's hard both mentally and physically. I enjoy being with my patients as well but I don't know if it's worth it either. I think if you choose to pursue your education either way it can only benefit you in the future. Good luck!

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Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

As far as the expense part, there are facilities that have tuition reimbursement which helps off set the cost quite a bit. Large teaching hospitals often have these programs. The online and for profit schools are the most expensive so avoid those. They just want your money. The BSN will give you the most options. If you like psych, you could always get an MSN and end up as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. There are nursing programs out there that offer accelerated BSNs to those who already have a BA/BS in another area...check out your state university.

Best to you,

Mrs H.

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