Thinking About Going Back to School as a Nurse? BSN, MSN, DNP vs PhD Explained

About this episode

Brigitte Sager discusses the considerations for nurses contemplating further education and the implications of various advanced degrees on their careers.

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP breaks down one of the most common questions nurses and nurse practitioners ask: should you go back to school, and if so, which path is right for you? From BSN to MSN, nurse practitioner programs, DNP vs PhD, and beyond, this episode explores the real impact of advanced degrees on your career, scope of practice, income potential, and long-term fulfillment. More importantly, this conversation challenges the assumption that more education is always the answer. Brigitte shares insights from her own journey and from working with over a thousand RNs and NPs navigating burnout, career transitions, and the shift toward functional and integrative healthcare. If you're questioning your next step, considering entrepreneurship, or feeling pulled toward a more aligned way of practicing nursing, this episode will help you clarify your goals and make a more intentional decision about your future.

People in this episode

Host: Brigitte Sager

Topics covered

• nursing education
• advanced degrees
• career transitions
• burnout
• functional medicine

Keywords

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD
• nurse practitioner
• career fulfillment
• education paths

Sponsors

Institute for Functional Nursing

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Functional Nurse Podcast

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