[hermosa]

I am 43 and considering between pursuing an accelerated BSN versus a direct entry MSN. I've finished all the prerequisites for both programs including pharmacology and pathophysiology. I've been accepted into Sac State's accelerated BSN program starting in June and waitlisted on U of San Diego's MSN's program for CNL's program. I'm suppose to hear back from them in a couple of weeks. Of course if I don't hear back from them it's a moot point but I'm worried that if I do hear from them I'll have to make a very fast decision because Sac State's program starts June 1st and I"ll be moving up there the first week in May.

If I were to go to USD it would be a fantastic program but the tuition alone is about $80K and is two years long. I'd have an MSN and a higher income but a higher debt load coming out (I could come out of Sac State debt free). I think with a MSN I'd be doing the work I'd really like to do as a nurse. As a BSN I think I'd still want to go back and get my MSN but not sure I could handle working and going to school. Still if I got my BSN work could pay for some of the cost of school and once I got into nursing my interests in nursing might change and the program of study might change with it.

What do you think? Is it better at this age to just go for broke and get all the schooling and debt out of the way first or to go one step at a time and go as debt free as possible and gain experience as I go. BTW, this is a career change for me and I have no nursing experience already.

[SteveRN21]

I'd go for the BSN and get a feel for what interests you in the field before going back for your MSN...

[JRD2002]

I am assuming that you are talking about USD's Master's entry program in nursing. I would not recommend this unless your previous job was in some type of health care setting. I think that it is way to fast of a program for someone just entering the profession.

With the MSN you may be doing the work that you really love, but will you have the foundation to do it well?

[nursemike]

I just can't imagine being ready to perform at a masters level without having clinical experience. Of course, I suppose one could go through a traditional BSN program and continue for an MSN without taking time to work, but at least you'd have a couple of years of clinicals with school.
Judging by some other posters, an accelerated BSN may not be the best preparation for working as a nurse. That probably depends on the person and the program, and the transition from school to practice is likely to be hard, regardless of how one is educated. I don't know any recent Diploma nurses, but it sounds like they may hit the floors ready to run, but for most of us it takes the better part of the first year to find our legs. Personally, I'd want that behind me before considering any sort of advanced practice.
I'm curious to know what sort of work you want to do with the masters. I can't imagine any area where a year or two of floor experience wouldn't be helpful, but I suppose it might be less relevant in some areas than others.