Is a masters degree really worth it?

[publius2k4]

I'd love to say that having a masters degree will open doors for me, but I also said the same thing for my bachelors degree. I'm certain that I will start having more doors opened to me, but right now everything still feels just like it did before I received my degree. Thoughts?

[sanantone]

What were your plans again? Did you say you wanted to a management position at a private corrections company (only God knows why)?

[BIPolarGuy]

A much younger friend (employee) once said " time will pass anyway, what do have to lose? Only your future options."

[publius2k4]

What were your plans again? Did you say you wanted to a management position at a private corrections company (only God knows why)?

No, that was just my justification for my individualized studies concentration (public safety admin and business management).

I've been in corrections for 8 years.

I'd much rather be in something more scientific. Something in the medical field would be fantastic, but it's sooo hard to get any science pre-reqs while working rotating shifts.

[Getiton1]

An old friend of mine went into Ultra Sound and loved it. He had to move to the Baltimore, MD area, but he works for Johns Hopkins. The school is competitive, but you are done in about 2 years. Work is hard to find, but it's out there if you are open to relocating.

Another option is Respiratory therapist. Lots of math, #'s and figures, but if that's your thing, this is a great field. Just be comfortable with snot in a can and this is a great field. One of the few that garners respect from experienced nurses and Doctors because of the high level of skill and ability to intubate people (thus potentially saving their lives). Sadly, the other healthcare professions (nurses included) do not always have the respect of the Admins or the MD's. Of course there are lots of exceptions, but in general a Respiratory Therapist is a well respected job and pays pretty well. School varies from 18 months to 3 year depending on were you go. Most hospitals have a RT unit, ask them where they recruit from if you are interested.

Radiation technologist…this is great if you are a science geek like me. For example, I loved Physics can't stand Algebra. Physics is more theory. Lots of Chemistry too. Protons, electrons, etc. I actually was going to go into school for this but my family member had a bad experience with Radiotherapy so I didn't. In some ways I wish I did. They generally have much better hours unless you get put on x-ray shift which is all the time and super busy in the summer on the weekends (because people are out and about more and fall of bikes, have accidents and in general party more and get hurt…as in broken bones in the summer, so if you have to cover x-ray…summer as a tech can be busy). Overall it's a good job. Yes, you are around radio active stuff and people in pain with broken bones or tumors and such…but you wear badges that tell you how much you have been exposed to so it's not that bad. They get paid pretty well is what my one friend said. Plus working in x-ray can be funny. Like when kids swallow things or people do odd things to themselves. I'll let your imagination take it from here.

Then there's good ole' nursing. In a word…the market is saturated at least in most of the states I have family and friends. Most hospitals are moving toward Magnet status which means they require the BSN. (I am an experienced RN, and have to get my BSN to stay employable even with YEARS of experience). In all honestly, more than 75% of my classes have had nothing to do with nursing. About 25% will help me in my bedside nursing career. Still I love Thomas Edison State College, and I know they have an on-site only speedy program for people who already have a bachelors degree. I think it's only 1 year of nursing courses, it's only a couple years old, it's highly competitive now, but with your distance learning background and your experience in corrections you would likely be a desirable candidate. With the BSN and even a little experience it should be fairly easy to find work as a nurse. If you want to go that route…private message me. I also went to Excelsior College for my RN. I did have a good experience at that college as well, but if you go there I am 99% sure they will make you take the dreaded CPNE. It's no joke. I cost me over 3,000.00 to take and pass the 3 day hospital clinical in a another state with real live patients. I feel very confident in my ability and I have to tell you that exam almost killed me. It caused more anxiety than planning my 2 weddings (to the same man) in 2 weeks in 2 different countries. I've prepped people for this exam and have heard some seriously sad stories from people that have failed and just need someone to help them know what to expect. Just check out the ALL Nurses website and the search word CPNE…or better yet Google "CPNE pass rates" before you take the plunge. The Excelsior RN program is for the serious nurse who wants to go in there and get that RN. At over 2,500 a 3 day weekend only test (and a 3 month wait to re-test if you fail)…it's got to be your ONLY focus. If you really want to be an RN…go for it! If you are not sure…think twice. Last time I checked the CPNE only had a 58% pass rate. Again, if you are into it still…private message me and I will try to help you navigate the program.

Nurse Practitioners are the next level up and are in high demand, but you will HAVE to have nursing experience to really succeed right out of the gate.

There are other Med/Science Careers. Lab (or bench) Chemists is a decent job, but now most places require advanced skills in all the new machines. If you want to go into this career. Private message me because there are a load of skills they want like Assays, Western Blot, PCA, and loads of other machines/lab tests you will need to know to make you more marketable. Also, I live in NJ where it's densely packed with people and loads of laboratories. Check out your area if you want to stick where you are at for lab jobs first before you plan a career as a Chemist. Most bench Chemists start out at a low rate and work their way up. Average for NJ to start is about 15.00 an hour for a kid right out of school.

If you are a super smart science person (if I had the time and money, this is what I found really interesting…but VERY hard to find a job in…but when you do..BANK money). Anyway, if you want to become a physicist…like nursing it's very diverse. You can go chemical or you can go more engineering. One company I really liked was working on ways to make paper into battery power. Another use old yucky water for fuel. Another worked on paint that would replace the huge, heavy solar panels (think solar paint). So if you are super smart and love chemistry and physics, and you truly want to work on something in your mind that you think you can develop and change the world…this is a really cool career. Downside…rare to find jobs. Nerds tend to be a little anti-social, and/or recruit by going back to their alma matter, a high level school or have other nerds refer them other awesome nerds. I mean "nerd" in the most affectionate way. I used to be a bit nerdy myself. Glasses, braces, gaming, all science and astro physics. I even seriously dated a nuclear physicist. Broke my heart Anyway, if you can find work in this field you can make really decent money.

That's my take on the medical/science professions.

Hope my breakdown helped you figure out if anything here "rings true" for you. Try to do what you love. If it's not working at a company for a paycheck…try going entrepreneur... sell something (goods OR services or both) that people need.

Some of the most successful people went rogue and tried thinking outside of the box

Best of luck in whatever you choose,
Tara

No, that was just my justification for my individualized studies concentration (public safety admin and business management).

I've been in corrections for 8 years.

I'd much rather be in something more scientific. Something in the medical field would be fantastic, but it's sooo hard to get any science pre-reqs while working rotating shifts.

[sanantone]

No, that was just my justification for my individualized studies concentration (public safety admin and business management).

I've been in corrections for 8 years.

I'd much rather be in something more scientific. Something in the medical field would be fantastic, but it's sooo hard to get any science pre-reqs while working rotating shifts.

Then, I recommend public health. There shouldn't be many prerequisites if any. Public health programs usually have various concentrations such as global health, health education, epidemiology, and behavioral science.

[rebel100]

I think a corrections background could work as a fine entry to the facilities side of hospital management. My job involves security, safety, environment of care, emergency management, and Haz-mat.

The competition can be fierce though.

[cookderosa]

I'd love to say that having a masters degree will open doors for me, but I also said the same thing for my bachelors degree. I'm certain that I will start having more doors opened to me, but right now everything still feels just like it did before I received my degree. Thoughts?

If you hold a degree in a field for which that field requires a degree for entry, then yes, it is worth it. If you hold a degree in a field that does NOT require a degree for entry, then probably not.