Why Invest in an Advanced Nursing Degree?

New Mexico Nurse, Apr-Jun 2006 by Montoya, Andrea E

I hear many nurses ask, "Why get an advanced nursing degree?" An advanced nursing degree does not mean just getting your MSN, but getting your BSN if you are an ADN. There are many reasons to obtain an advanced nursing degree. To become a professional and gain the respect of other professions, for personal growth, to become leaders in the nursing community, and the list goes on.

One of the biggest excuses I hear nurses make is, "I get paid the same amount of money as other nurses with higher education, so why go back to school?" While this may be true for many healthcare facilities, this should not be a reason to stop personal growth. Who does not want to become a leader in nursing? Leadership skills are just a small part of the personal growth one will experience in obtaining a hire education.

Nurses need to step up to the plate and demand that healthcare facilities offer a higher base pay for higher education. Where is the motive and incentive for nurses to get an advanced nursing degree? Many benefits await healthcare organizations that invest in the future of nursing. Please take into consideration the pay incentive to help nurses go back to school for an advanced nursing degree. Nurses need to invest in their future, and the future of nursing.

Andrea E. Montoya, BSN, RN, CMSRN