Rn-Bsn or Rn-Msn?? help!

[Stephw13]

Hi to all! I'm graduating in Dec with my ADN. I eventually want to have my Masters, if not my DNP. I want to further my education basically as much as I possibly can. I've been looking into Rn-Msn programs in my area. I've been considering starting immediately. Like the next possible semester. And if possible, going full time, without working and being able to have my masters in about a year and half. My husband and I want to have a child. So I've been debating whether we should do try while I'm getting my masters and I'll be home. However, and extra income would be very helpful. I'm just worried that work, school, and a newborn would be too much. Another question I have is... Which msn program??? There are SO many!! I don't even know where to begin. I'm not sure the area I want to work yet. I don't want to limit myself so new into the field. So I've been thinking should I just do an Rn-Bsn and work and hopefully find the area that I want. I'm just do afraid that if I don't stay on top of school, life will happen, and I'll never be able to go back and finish. However, I'm questioning whether it makes sense to go just for a Bsn, knowing I want to go further in the long run. Is that taking the really slow, more expensive route? Ugh!! I know that's a lot of info.. Any thoughts, or suggestions? Thanks!!

[RunBabyRN]

A couple of things to consider.

Most places don't want to hire an MSN-prepared nurse with NO nursing experience. You'll greatly increase your hirability by working for at least 2 years. Plus, it'll be a great time to have a baby and let the baby get old enough that you're okay being gone for work AND school (which yes, is tough, but it can be done). You'll want to be around with a newborn as much as you can. Getting to know your baby is one of the best experiences ever, and you don't get that time back. Plus, it can be exhausting, you may have postpartum depression, and just the adjustment is a lot, so trying to tackle that along with school would not be ideal.

If you know you want to advance your career as much as possible, go for the MSN! I would apply to both programs just in case, because if you don't get into your first choice, you'll at least be advancing yourself some.

I just graduated with my BSN, and I plan to go back for my CNM within the next few years, but I need a break from school. I plan to work, and we may or may not have another baby (our first is almost 6). I would want to wait until baby #2 is weaned to go back to school, but that's me. A couple of other things I'm looking at before I go back are paying off all of my student loans (about $30K), catching up on our savings (which of course doesn't exist after being a student), and just mentally recovering from school (not only me, but my husband and son and the rest of my circle).

Good luck whatever you decide!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Employers will look at experience. Also, there are so many routes you can take (as you said), so working will help you determine which is best for you. I recommend working before getting MSN