The Article: Hader, R. (2011). Education matters: Does higher learning yield higher income? Nursing Management, 42(7): 22-27.
Big Idea: Nursing Management conducted a survey of over 2,800 nurses to learn more about nurses’ educational backgrounds and the relation to salary. The study also inquires about nurses’ interest in going back to school and their barriers to obtaining a higher degree.
No surprise – nurses with masters or doctoral degrees in nursing earn more than those with associate or baccalaureate degrees.
Survey Says!: The article has a lot of interesting stats and correlations. No surprise – nurses with masters or doctoral degrees earn more than those with associate or baccalaureate degrees. Certification also impacts annual income. Magnet facilities have more tuition reimbursement programs and more nurses with higher degrees and certifications than non-Magnet facilities. Interestingly, over 60% of nurse managers are not interested in going back to school for a higher degree, so there’s no role-modeling there. Again, there are many more interesting and valuable components of the study, so check out the article, which is free until August 8, 2011.
Quotable: “[I]t’s evident that a paradigm shift from skills training education to academic learning is necessary for nurses to remain current with new delivery systems, translation of evidence-based care into practice, and the implementation of appropriate treatment modalities” (p. 27).
“Nurses at all levels should expect that they’ll forever be students of nursing, accept this responsibly, and engage the challenge” (p. 27).
So What? Education is key to the nursing profession. Every nurse should seriously consider obtaining a nursing certification or going back to school for a higher degree. Not only will it improve our profession and the people we serve, but it will likely fatten your wallet, as well.
The Nerdy Nurse
July 23, 2011 4:29 amLove that second quote!
Healthcare and nursing are constantly evolving and changing. We owe it to our patients to continue to seek out higher education and continue learning. I’ve always heard that a nurse that knows everything is a dangerous nurse! I learn something every day. The day I don’t, I will be afraid.
nursetopia
July 23, 2011 10:10 amRight there with ya!
Kevin Ross
January 15, 2013 11:18 pmOngoing investment in continuing education (no matter the venue) is indeed a plus for our fellow nurses and the patients we care for.
Working in a teaching hospital was definitely a dream as far as meeting my own personal and professional goals as a nurse. My personal experience was very collaborative and supportive.
Now as an entrepreneur and a consultant, my opportunity for learning and professional growth is ten fold. I’m able to seek out multiple avenues for further education (both lecture and practical) with no end in sight. It’s refreshing to be in a field that is becoming more dynamic, and the evolution of our nursing practice will certainly have many more opportunities to offer in the near future.
Nursetopia
January 16, 2013 7:49 pmKevin, tell me more about what you mean when you say your opportunity for further education and professional growth is much more than it previously was. Do you think this kind of never-ending educational opportunity is exclusive to entrepreneurs, or do you think entrepreneurs simply tend to have that habit of life-long pursuit of knowledge more than others?
Kevin Ross
January 16, 2013 8:36 pmAs an entrepreneur I have the opportunity to create my educational path, although much of this is still dependent on the patient populations I work with as I do want to stay apprised of the latest trends and research. But, just because I’m not a Nurse Informaticist doesn’t mean I can’t sit in on the latest discussions with software engineers about developing or improving an EMR.
I also work in multiple environments that have a variety of approaches to care, and I’m able to meld this “variety” into my own practice. It’s not to say that one organizations’ approach is better than the other, I just get to experience what I feel is the “best” of what each organization has to offer.
All due respect to my fellow nursing colleagues out here. I don’t think these opportunities are exclusive to just entrepreneurs. Nurses (no matter clinical or non-clinical setting) want to learn and advance their education. I’m in agreement with more education, especially with the ever-changing landscape. I hope that all nurses who want to pursue a variety of educational opportunities can do so without limitation.
Patient safety is always number one in my book, but as an entrepreneur I also have a brand and a reputation around being an “expert” in certain areas, and the responsibility falls directly on me to make certain that I continue to hone these skills and be a resource for both the clients I serve and the staff I work with. It’s not about knowing it all, but to effectively collaborate we need to know our “stuff,” especially in the environments we work in.
I also don’t put a cap on educational dollars spent. If I feel it will benefit my colleagues and patients, with a greater return on investment, then I’m all for it.
Basically, in my experience (this is just my own personal experience here) I have more freedom to choose which educational avenue I want to pursue and how often. I can sometimes compare it to being a career student, but the one difference here is that I get paid for it. Now if only my kids can find the same arrangement once they’re ready for higher education 😉
Nursetopia
January 16, 2013 8:39 pmI love it. I agree with you on many levels.
Brenne Meirowitz
July 24, 2011 6:50 amFrom my experience, it depends upon the field your degree. I have e higher ed. degrees – all in the humanities. Since the economy has forced education to downsize these programs, there is little else left for me to do.
Brenne Meirowitz
July 24, 2011 6:52 amIn the healthcare field, it certainly makes a difference. In other fields, such as the humanities, jobs are scarce no matter how many degrees you have.