Which would be better--MSN or Ph.D?

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I am trying to decide whether to pursue an MSN through University of Phoenix, or a Ph.D in business with a health care concentration through Northcentral University. Both are distance programs.

I am an RN with a BA/MA. It's been very hard to find MSN programs that would accept me without the BSN. No local schools will, so it's distance or nothing. I'm not prepared to reinvent the wheel that would be the BSN. U of P wants 10 bridge credits, fewer than most. And now that I'm pushing 50, I'm not sure if the MSN is even what I want any more.

But I also don't know if I have the discipline or enough working brain cells left to go for a Ph.D. I somehow wonder if I just want it for the vanity of saying I'm a doctor.

The third choice is to continue to do nothing and keep my wallet filled. That might be an option, too, rather than spending money at this point. I would have tuition reimbursement, but not for the full amount these degrees will cost. I don't know how much longer I want to be in nursing.

Will accept any and all comments. I get tired just thinking about it.

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

Have you considered any other schools for your MSN or PhD? I know that Samuel Merritt College has an online distance-learning MSN program. While the Prereqs state that applicants should have a BSN, they do add that they are willing to consider RN's with a Bachelors degree in another field on an individual basis..... Chances are if they're willing to take into consideration your other undergraduate work, some other schools might be willing to also do the same things.

What are your plans with the degree, and why do you want to pursue the higher education? I'd say choose the one that fits your goals better.

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Karmyk, thanks for the response. I did look at Samuel Merritt, but the online programs they offer are either for APRNs who need to get an MSN, or a new degree in case management. I have case management experience but no desire to get a degree in it.

I've actually found more entry-level MSN programs than I have grad schools willing to work with the BA/BS RN.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

WHen I was deciding to go for the MSN or MBA, I was looking at options - since I didn't have a definite plan for what I wanted to do. I went with the MSN because it allowed me the chance to teach and/or pursue a post-MSN APRN. This is what I ultimately did and love it.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Why are you considering going back to school at this point? You didn't say in your original post and I think that is the key factor here.

What are your hopes for your future career? I don't think the question of which program would be better for you can be answered until you answer that one for yourself. Your 2 program choices take you down very different paths. Which path best matches your career goals?

llg

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I agree with the other posters -- your choice should be determined by what you want to do with an advanced degree, and you haven't given any clues about that yet. What are your professional goals/interests?

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If you want to stay in nursing A MSN is the route, if you want to go into health care adminstration the PhD is the way. As the others have said what is your goal. I did the MSN Bridge Program at UoP and found it to meet my needs.

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

You have to know what you want to do in order to pick one over the other. I am planning on starting a PhD in January - I have been a faculty member at a nursing college for 14 years - now I want to be a Dean - and that kind of promotion requires a PhD.

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I decided to go with the MSN from UofPhx. Even if I got a Ph.D in healthcare management, nursing would still see me as a diploma nurse and limit my career options.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Good luck to you, Catlady. If you want to stay in nursing, then I think you probably made the right choice. If you want people to see you as a nurse, then you need a nursing education that includes the higher level nursing content.

I hope you enjoy it,

llg

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Good luck.

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I went for the that reason too since my basic nursing education is a diploma, nobody can take away my MSN.

Good Luck

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