RN to MSN, skip the BSN?

[sbostonRN]

I have an associates in Nursing with a previous Bachelors. I've been working as a nurse for a year now and am starting to think of options to further my education, since job options have been fairly limited without the BSN (basically required to work as a nurse in Boston).

So my options are to go for a BSN or an MSN. There are several programs in my area that will grant me an MSN without the BSN first, so that's not an issue. The programs are each roughly 30 credits, though the MSN program will obviously cost more (not really an issue).

What I'm worried about is how I'll be viewed by potential employers. I don't want to be "overqualified" as a staff nurse. I want to be a floor nurse for the next 10 years or so, at least. So becoming an NP, CNS or CRNA is not on my radar at all. At the very most, I'd like to be a nurse educator or clinical leader, but at this point I don't have enough experience to make that decision.

So is it worth it to get a MSN (clinical nurse leader) and then get a second master's if I change my mind later on? Or should I just go for the BSN right now and get a MSN later on? I just don't want to waste my time and money getting a the BSN when I'll be getting the MSN in a few years anyway.

[rndavu, ADN]

I am in exactly the same position you are marie871. I'm also trying to decide whether to go for BSN or MSN. I have found several programs for both. I just don't want skipping BSN to bite me in the butt. I haven't been able to find a job in 3 years. I'm down to the wire now with qualifying for admission. Most want at least 2 years experience in the last 5 years. WGU looked great, but they will not accept me without working in the nursing field when applying. There is a RN-MSN in Nursing Education available for 12,000 and expected graduation in 12 months. All sounds too good to be true.

[pearlypearl]

Hi applered. I'm not sure how much this will help but I recently had orientation at a hospital in SF. The RN told us (me and 3 new RNs) that last year, 800+ applicants applied to their FLOOR, so HR had to narrow down the applicants based on key words from their application! I'm not too sure how they did that, but I would think if you had MSN on there, it would still be considered. She also said that although they do prefer BSN, they still hire ADN - just not that many.

As for me, I'm currently halfway through an ADN program but am going to be working as a unit coordinator at that hospital to get my foot in the door. Btw, may I ask which program you're in?

[NuGuyNurse2b]

I am in exactly the same position you are marie871. I'm also trying to decide whether to go for BSN or MSN. I have found several programs for both. I just don't want skipping BSN to bite me in the butt. I haven't been able to find a job in 3 years. I'm down to the wire now with qualifying for admission. Most want at least 2 years experience in the last 5 years. WGU looked great, but they will not accept me without working in the nursing field when applying. There is a RN-MSN in Nursing Education available for 12,000 and expected graduation in 12 months. All sounds too good to be true.

Same here, and I asked this very same question in another thread with no response, so hoping someone with experience can answer. It's kind of a catch-22 with the whole missing the BSN, which puts you at risk for maybe not getting hired, but then requiring experience for an MSN...

[Squidelle]

I have no idea if you'll see this because this post is old but I'm in the exact same situation and would like to know what you ended up doing. I got a BA in Sociology last year and I'll be graduating in May from an ADN program.

[Squidelle]

I am considering this as well although I haven't grad yet. I have a prev Bachelor's in Sociology, and will have my ADN....I want to be a CNM, so Im thinking I will go straight to the MSN program.

My comment above is for you oops!

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Well... for mine it knocked off about 10-15k to get a BSN that was around 5-8k.