Is it better to do an entry MSN or BSN if you do not have an RN yet?

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Do you think it's better to try to get an entry MSN and take the Nclex, than a BSN? Still would have no work experience when finished and looking for that new grad job, so would it be harder to find one with a Masters RN and no experience? or better to have it completed. Thanks

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Well, your question doesn't provide much information about your education history.

Anyways,

The accelerated programs by me are set up so that if you have a Bachelor's in another area, you will complete your RN Bachelor's in 1 year(after completing pre-req's), then the Master's in 2 years. You don't just go directly into the Master's without already being an RN, because the Masters programs are Advanced Practice Nursing.

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There are generalist masters entry programs for people with a degree in a non nursing field. They, like a BSN for people with no RN, get you both at the same time. I got into a Clinical Nurse Leader ( new thing I guess) Masters program, a one year BSN, or a two year BSN. Not sure which to do? I will graduate college in 2 weeks. I took all teh science pre recs already. Help???

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A BSN is an RN program. There are 2 types of RN programs, Associate's and Bachelor's. The only difference is the degree, it's all the same RN though.

That's exactly how it is set up where I am at. I go to school with a lot of people moving into a program like that. They all have Bachelor's in a non-related field. They will be getting their RN(Bachelor's) in one year, then move on to the 2 year MSN.

I would assume the 1 year BSN RN is full time and the 2 year BSN RN is part time. You would just do whatever you can handle.

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actually this MSN combines getting the RN both in two years and skips a BSN all together. Thats why I was wondring if it's a better way to geo or do you need the BSN for some reason, to get starting jobs? Thanks

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So are you saying you become an RN and a Clinical Nurse Leader in two years? I'm still confused by your information because every program I have seen requires someone to be an RN before they are allowed to begin Master's coursework. I also don't see how you can learn to become an RN, take the NCLEX, then become a CNL, in two years, since an RN takes at least 1 year alone.

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Yes you do both in two years. there are several programs like that now called Masters Entry, for people that did all science pre recs, and you get the RN classes/clinicals while taking enough Masters classes to take a CNL exam too? Maybe too intense? This one is at St Louis University. there are some in California and other states too. So is that a good route or not??

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Ok. I see why now. A CNL is not an Advanced Practice Nurse, which is why you are able to do it in 2 years.

If that is what you want to do, then I would do it. It seems like a CNL does not provide as much hands on patient care as an APN, which is probably why it can be completed in a shorter amount of time. The APN programs are longer because they have many more clinicals to complete.

Good luck!

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My University is one of the 70+ schools in the country that offer a Direct Entry MSN program (enrolling people with an undergraduate degree in another area). Ours is a 24-month program with 1000 hours of precepted (1:1) clinicals - more clinical hours than BSN programs entail. Our NCLEX passrate has been 100% two of the past three years (that other year it was 97%).

Our graduates are going into the same New Grad positions that BSN graduates obtain. We are finding that they are progressing up the clinical ladder more quickly than BSN graduates though. These Direct Entry grads are doing well in the employment market (last 25 of 26 had jobs before graduation). The only 2009 grad who did not have a job at graduation was waiting for her fiancee (a graduate of the UVa's law school) to find out what state he would be working in. Once he job a job as a lawyer in St Louis, she was hired at Barnes Jewish within 2 weeks.

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UVA Thanks for the info. This is a new program starting at St Louis University. They have around 700 clinical hours plus Sim Labs. Will this combo type program be too hard for an "average" student. I am graduating from University Wisc., graduating this May. Or should I do their BSN? Will the CNL Masters even though not in a Practice area, be beneficial to have?

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CACurly:

Any concentrated nursing program is demanding (whether a Direct Entry CNL or an Accelerated BSN). While I cannot speak for every Direct Entry program in the country, the students in our program report that they are spending more hours on class, readings, papers, clinical practice than are our BSN students (60 hours a week on average). They are doing as well as our BSN students in employment (and have a better passing rate on the NCLEX).

Some employers are eager to hire CNLs (especially the Veterans Administration which is seeking to have CNLs in every unit of all 85 of their facilities in the next few years). We've also seen that academic medical centers and Magnet hospitals are also hiring Direct Entry CNLs.

Again, we are just one program but we were one of the first to enroll CNLs (starting in 2005). The program is so successful for us that we are enrolling CNLs at three entry points now (Direct Entry, ADN, and BSN).

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UVA Thanks for the info. This is a new program starting at St Louis University. They have around 700 clinical hours plus Sim Labs. Will this combo type program be too hard for an "average" student. I am graduating from University Wisc., graduating this May. Or should I do their BSN? Will the CNL Masters even though not in a Practice area, be beneficial to have?

I think if you are having doubts that you may not be able to do it, then you should do the BSN, first for your own peace of mind. It would only be an extra year, and if it can give you enough confidence to do great in the Master's, then it would be a great choice. Also, it seems like you are a little unsure about the CNL career itself. Is there a particular reason why you want to do the CNL? Is there a specific field you are wanting to work in?

I have just started school for nursing(associates) and I have no clue which Master's route to choose. I eventually want to work in Oncology and/or Hematology, so I have to determine a Master's program that can get me into that field.

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