Thinking of a Masters in 2015

[bsinsc]

While, as a nurse, I agree that RN's do not necessarily need the 4-year degree in its current iteration to perform the job, I think you underestimate the role of the RN. Comparing the education requirements of a plumber (a highly technical occupation) with that of an RN (a multi-faceted occupation where a minor mistake can actually kill someone) is a little unfair.

Not to sound too harsh here, but it seems like you're looking for an easy path. Nothing easy is going to pay off. If it did, everyone would do it.

I can certainly empathize with your situation. I have a 10-month-old and it's very difficult to balance work, school, and home life. However, you're simply not going to be able to find an easy path that pays well. Kinda like the old engineering adage: "Fast, Cheap, Good -- pick two".

Have you considered a career in the public sector? Depending on your specific location, you can find many government jobs that require non-specific Bachelor's degrees for entry, many of which may actually be related to your current skillset. After spending some time in grade, you could then consider getting an MPA or MBA to bump up to a higher level position.

Sorry...I must've replied to the wrong person.....I certainly do not underestimate the role of the RN...I have many friends and a sister-in-law who are RN's...what I am saying is that not all that long ago there were "nursing schools" where one learned to be a nurse. They did not learn other subjects so that a box could be checked off and a degree given. They graduated with a diploma in nursing. These same people who went to these nursing schools are some of the best nurses I know. My point is that they did not need a degree to be a good nurse. Things have changed drastically and they are now required to get a 4 year degree even though they have been practicing for years and have a hell of a lot more knowledge than the new nurses with degrees. Does that make sense? There is no correlation between a nurse and a plumber except for the training now required. Our local technical college only has 2 year programs for electricians and plumbers now. My dad made a good living as an electrician and like the other poster noted about her father who is a sonographer, they did not need degrees for these positions. As for my situation, I am certainly not looking for an easy path. My life has been anything but easy. What I am looking for is some way I can add to my knowledge base and actually get a job that pays something.
I applaud you for your efforts. Do it now when you are young and have an infant. Time flies, really it does! You have plenty of years left to work and pay off student loans. I don't have that much time and am looking at college for my 15 year old in 3 short years.
You see, when I was younger and had only an AS and certification as a Medical Assistant I was able to support my family. This is back 20 years ago when RN's made $20/hr. and I made $15/ hr. Now, even with more education and experience under my belt I find that there are few jobs that pay anymore than I made all those years ago. It's like waking up one day and wondering what happened in the world. Every school you talk to acts like none of the degrees or courses you took matter now. For any of the allied health programs, I have to start from scratch. I'm not kidding. Again, not all that long ago you could go the local technical college and take a certificate program for sonography, etc which would open up new job opportunities. Those no longer exist. Do I want to start college all over again at 43? No, I do not. I'd like the masters but can't justify the money unless I know it's something that will pay off. Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey? He talks all the time about people getting useless degrees. Of course, they don't know they are useless at the time until they can't find a job and are $100k in debt. I wish I would've waited the 2 years for the RN program I was waiting for all of those years ago. Life gets in the way and bills need to be paid, kids need to be raised. I realize this is not an option for me now. The only school I could go to would be the on-campus second degree RN program at TESC in NJ. I live in SC. Anyway, I am only looking for a way for 43 year old me to make some decent money.