[runningredsfan]

I have a BS degree in an area other than nursing and have applied to a program to get a Masters in Nursing for those students with degrees (they do this because it opens up more financial aid opportunities than the accelerated BSN option) The program is 15 months long and at the end I would be eligible to sit for the the RN boards. I was admitted for the fall of 2008 which means I have about a year before it starts. I have just started a job as a CNA. But an LPN I work with suggested that I attend an year long LPN program that then moves straight into a 15 month RN completion instead. The LPN-RN option is much cheaper and would allow me to work while completing my RN was her reasoning. Just wondering what others thoughts were on this. Thanks guys and gals!

[MB37]

It all depends on your circumstances and what you can afford, but I would always go for the higher degree in the shorter time span, as long as both schools are accredited, have decent pass rates, etc. That's why I'm in an accelerated program. I'd rather work really limited hours for 15 months and take out a bit more in loans than have to spend more years in school working on each step of a BSN (my program isn't masters). If you can't afford to take considerable time off work, then perhaps you should go her route - accelerated programs are EXTREMELY time-consuming. Same thing if you have a lot of other things on your plate - many young kids, etc. Then a slower pace may be for you. Neither is necessarily "better" than the other, and it's great that there are so many routes to get into nursing. We can each choose what fits our lives.

[TheCommuter]

Whatever you decide, be advised that the MN (masters in nursing) degree will pay off significantly more in the long run. Good luck!

[ZippyGBR]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Whatever you decide, be advised that the MN (masters in nursing) degree will pay off significantly more in the long run. Good luck!

a post-grad pre-reg route will NOT pay off any more in the long run ... becasue you won't have the additional skills knowledge and experience of someone who has doen a psot graduate degree as a post reg candidate ...

we've run such programess i nthe UK for a number of years funded i nthe same way as the Govt funded undergrad pre-reg courses are funded - they are primarily about no duplicating work that peopel have already done ( most have lifesciences of psychology type subject requirements for the undergrad degree ) and also aobut deliveing theory material straight to graduate levle rather than at Cert HE and DipHE ...

[dream'n]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Whatever you decide, be advised that the MN (masters in nursing) degree will pay off significantly more in the long run. Good luck!

I agree.

[reesern63]

If you can do it, just go for the MSN. You will have more opportunities after you work a few years. If you do the LPN route, then you'd have to take more time to further your education.

Just be aware that graduating with an MSN doesn't mean you have more skills and knowledge than others--you'll still be a new grad. You will have a bit more to offer down the road, though.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by ZippyGBR

a post-grad pre-reg route will NOT pay off any more in the long run ... becasue you won't have the additional skills knowledge and experience of someone who has doen a psot graduate degree as a post reg candidate ...

we've run such programess i nthe UK for a number of years funded i nthe same way as the Govt funded undergrad pre-reg courses are funded - they are primarily about no duplicating work that peopel have already done ( most have lifesciences of psychology type subject requirements for the undergrad degree ) and also aobut deliveing theory material straight to graduate levle rather than at Cert HE and DipHE ...

Let me restate my original post, albeit in a more understandable manner. Be advised that, in the United States, the MN (masters in nursing) degree will pay off significantly more in the long run.

[ZippyGBR]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Let me restate my original post, albeit in a more understandable manner. Be advised that, in the United States, the MN (masters in nursing) degree will pay off significantly more in the long run.

what specifically would a pre-registration MN graduate RN offer over and above any other new graduate RN?

manager will look at the resume note the MN but note it was a pre-reg one and the next question is - what has this nurse done to develop his / her practice over the last X years ...?

I really don't see any employer offering more pay solely because someone has an pre-reg MN over a Bachelors degree ... certainly not in terms of pre-reg MN versus a post reg Masters showing development professionally and clinically as well as the ability to work at the post gradfuate levle academically.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by ZippyGBR

what specifically would a pre-registration MN graduate RN offer over and above any other new graduate RN?

manager will look at the resume note the MN but note it was a pre-reg one and the next question is - what has this nurse done to develop his / her practice over the last X years ...?

I really don't see any employer offering more pay solely because someone has an pre-reg MN over a Bachelors degree ... certainly not in terms of pre-reg MN versus a post reg Masters showing development professionally and clinically as well as the ability to work at the post gradfuate levle academically.

Let me restate once again...

The original poster was asking us whether she should pursue the LPN (licensed practical nurse) or the MN (masters degree in nursing). In the United States, an RN license possesses more monetary, social, and political value than an LPN license. In the U.S., the LPN is a 1 to 1.5 year diploma program, although some schools offer it as a 2-year degree. In the U.S., RNs are typically paid $5 to $10 more hourly than LPNs.

[ZippyGBR]

thecommuter

having re read the posting by the OP the options considered are

pre-reg MN vs LPN and then LPN -RN while earning as an LPN

i will restate my main point again - will a pre-reg MN actually count for much compared to any other Route to RN as a 'freshly minted' RN ???