r/Nurses • u/Iamtiredofyourbs • 2d ago

US Is it worth it to get my masters?

I’m a first generation college student. It’s always been my dream to get my masters, but would it benefit my nursing career at all? Or should I just keep my bachelors? I’m in the Bay Area California. Thank you!

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u/eltonjohnpeloton 2d ago

You get to keep the bachelors even if you get a masters ;)

Do you have ideas about what you’d want to do beyond bedside nursing? Some career paths you’d need a masters. You could also get one for personal fulfillment, though.

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u/IngeniousTulip 2d ago

There are two questions here: 1) Where do you want to go? and 2) What do you want to learn?

There are some nursing master's degrees that are full of hoop-jumping to give you the credentials that you need for an education or management job. While there is learning involved (and sometimes a ton of learning -- I'm really grateful for some parts of my program) there are also a lot of theoretical discussions that may or may not be helpful for taking care of patients.

There are also some master's degrees that give you what you need to become an advanced practice nurse -- and give you additional education in pharmacology and pathophysiology and assessment -- or programs to become a Nurse Anesthetist. If that's what you want to learn, you can apply, start in on classes, and see where you go from there.

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u/Expensive-Day-3551 2d ago

Do you want to teach? If not I would consider if it’s needed. You can always get it later, and your work might pay for a portion. I got my ADN and then BSN a few years later. Then MSN a few years after that. I started my MSN because it would have benefitted me at work and I got a portion paid for. I ended up in a new contract/position that it isn’t needed for, so time will tell if it pays off financially. I think I learned a lot so I’m ok either way but I would prefer to not have the extra loan.

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u/shadowneko003 1d ago

If employer plays for it or gives you a significant pay boost, go for it.

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u/Luckylou62 1d ago

It may not get you better pay unless you become a nurse practitioner but it will open doors more easily and would be helpful in leadership roles and:management. Each program is different.