What can you do with a MSN vs BSN?

oneLoneNurse · Mar 30, 2007

Some things you can do with an MSN versus BSN:
1. Teach at the college level.
2. Be an advanced practice nurse.
3. Get a higher management position.
4. Prove to yourself that you can do it.

So help me with this.

Why would anyone want to make less money to teach at a college? And be responsible for 8 students on a floor.

Why would I want to have my manager's job? He's salary.

And Why spend three maybe four years just so you can prove it to yourself? I'd rather be dancing, diving or skiing.

The only item here that really might interest me is the advanced practice nurse path. And honestly, I have seen sooo many nurses take this route who tell me they are not making any more money. They are frankly disappointed.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2007

So help me with this.
Why would anyone want to make less money to teach at a college? And be responsible for 8 students on a floor.
Why would I want to have my manager's job? He's salary.
And Why spend three maybe four years just so you can prove it to yourself? I'd rather be dancing, diving or skiing.
The only item here that really might interest me is the advanced practice nurse path. And honestly, I have seen sooo many nurses take this route who tell me they are not making any more money. They are frankly disappointed.
I know this thread supports further education in nursing, but really why would anyone really want to pursue this path unless like in the advanced practice nurse pathway it gives you another ticket/license? For me that is the only good reason to pursue this path. And though I may be casting doubt on this path, I am not saying any of these pathways are not correct for others; I am stating my opinion.

Good question.

For some people it's not a matter of money or even time spent away from dancing or doing the things you like to do. Some people might actually get as much satisfaction out of an education as you do dancing. Call me a weirdo geek, but I've been in school a good deal of my adult life and I get a high out of studying hard and making an A.

We need people like you who are perfectly content with their Associate Degrees doing what you're doing.

We also need manager's, directors, quality control nurses, infection disease nurses, case manager, educators, etc. etc. People have all sorts of reasons for choosing the paths they choose.

Quite frankly I know there will come a day when a decrease in a salary is going to be worth taking in order to teach the next generation of nurses.

But in the end we should live and let and support one another, because it's a big wide world and why should I question people with different priorities and lifestyles than myself.

There is no amount of salary increase they can offer me that will make me want to be a manager, but I'm glad there are people that want those jobs.

I don't even stop to question "why would you do that, all those hours you work for a salary, when you can make more money doing agency floor nursing.........". It's their choice and they have valid reasons, and I'm glad they are doing it.

Pumpkin1621 · Mar 30, 2007

My Aunt has her PhD in Nursing and teaches at a University. She didn't do it to really be a teacher, but she enjoys research alot. She hates bedside nursing. So with her job at university she has tenure, she teaches, and she gets to do what she loves, which is research.

Pumpkin1621 · Mar 30, 2007

So help me with this.
Why would anyone want to make less money to teach at a college? And be responsible for 8 students on a floor.

Teaching offers:

6 figure salary (at high end universities)

free college for your children

tenure (meaning they can't fire you)

you can research and publish and you make speeches (ie. Not only are you making a large salary, you get money from publishing books, research, and making speeches.)

Compare the work hours.

Some people would rather teach students then spend time with patients.

Like I said earlier my aunt teaches. She has taken this last year off to travel Europe. Must be nice...

I personally don't think I would be happy teaching. I am a people person and I want to be a nurse to help patients. But everyone has their own personality and some jobs aren't for everyone.

oneLoneNurse · Mar 30, 2007

Tweety and Pumpkin, good points. I am taking an MLIS program to probably join an academic setting. I weighed going the BSN/MSN, but their didn't seem any benefit for me.

The bridge to the BSN would take at least 12 courses, then to the MSN another 12. The MLIS is only 12 courses.

I guess it all depends on what you want to do.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2007

I guess it all depends on what you want to do.

Yes, and there's room for us all.

BTW what is MLIS??

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 30, 2007

BTW what is MLIS??

Masters in Library and Information Services (At least at my daughter's university it is.)

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 30, 2007

I have a PhD and work in a hospital ... in a position that is paid on the on the hospital's Clinical Nurse Specialist / Staff Development Specialist payscale. Both of those roles require an MSN. While there is overlap with the staff nurse payscale at the lower end of the specialist payscale, the upper end of the advanced role payscale is significantly higher than the top of the staff nurse payscale.

That's the way it is with a lot of advanced roles. When you are new in the role, there is not much (if any) of a reward in pay. But as you advance within the payscale for those positions, the potential for higher income is there. There are also other benefits with some of those positions that include better hours, better working conditions, better benefits, etc. that vary from position to position.

I believe that both my MSN and my PhD were well worth the investments I made in them. The big jump in opportunities comes when you get the MSN.