BSN vs MSN

Nursing Students General Students

Published

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.

0 Votes
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.

Congrats on your decision to pursue a career in nursing! Like you, I had a tough time deciding on whether to do a direct entry MSN vs. BSN. Ultimately I chose an accelerated BSN program because I have a previous bachelors degree and can have my RN in 12 months and then do 2 yrs of grad school later for the MSN. Not sure if it is the case where you are, but hte direct entry MSN programs here only offer a few specialties and I was not certain I wanted to commit to any specialty this far in advance without ever working as a nurse. I think I made the right decision (for me) in doing the accelerated BSN program and then I'll get a year or two work experience and go back to pursue my MSN. I will have a much wider range of options available to me (such as Nurse Practitioner). I don't think the direct entry MSN prgoram would have been bad but I was just hesitant to jump into a specialty this soon.

Good luck in your decision!

0 Votes
Specializes in MSU, Hospice.

I will aslo recommend that you attend the Accelerated BSN program at Sac State. I was in your position last year and I chose the Accelerated BSN. Its much cheaper and you can always have your employer play for you to continue with your MSN. I graduated from Sac State with Health Science and Biology. Going through the BSN will allow you to make a better decision on what to pursue at the MSN level. My whole program is costing me about $30,000 including housing for 12months. I wish you the very best. Sacramento is great place to study....

0 Votes
Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

I am joining the crowd in recommending the BSN option. I don't know who told you you would make more $ with your MSN, but that is not necessarily the case. At your age, I think it is important to not acquire debt. I am 41 and have been a nurse for 6 years. I am almost done with the MSN at Cal State Dominguez Hills on-line program. Look into it when you are done with the BSN!!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment