Should I get a second bachelor's?

[Morena1]

So I have a BS in Health Science and originally wanted to go to grad school to do a direct-entry into a MSN program. However, my undergrad gpa was 3.07 and my GRE scores were average. Because of this, at that time I didnt feel l would get into grad school and didn't bother applying( a decision I now REALLY regret). instead I started a BSN program and have about a year and half left. I'm doing really well in the BSN program but I was thinking about retaking the GRE and applying for a couple MSN programs. I feel more motivated now and also feel like I have more to add to my application than before. But the problem is, by the time I potentially get accepted into any MSN program, I'll only have a year left of the BSN program I'm in. I don't know if I should continue and finish this second bachelor's degree when I am pretty close or If I should forgo the BSN and start the MSN program (assuming I get in). The year doing the BSN will have been wasted time and money, but at the end of the day, my goal is to become a FNP so I would have to pursue a MSN after the BSN anyways. I wanted to ask you guys your opinion before I spend anymore money on admission applications and GRE tests.

[Asystole RN]

A second bachelors does nothing for you. A masters at least will further your terminal goal. I would consider the cost of the GRE test and applications an investment.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

A second bachelors does nothing for you. A masters at least will further your terminal goal. I would consider the cost of the GRE test and applications an investment.

I couldn't disagree more. An entry MSN is going to be treated no differently than a BSN. The only difference in your education is going to be the increased cost for the entry MSN.

OP, how are you going to pay for a BSN after already having a bachelor's degree? With an MSN program, sure, you could spend more but cover it with a Grad PLUS loan, but if you used student loans for your first bachelor's odds are you're not going to have enough for a second bachelor's unless you're independently wealthy or your parents/family are.

Unless you have that magic money, I would consider getting an ASN and then getting an employer to pay for or help you pay for an RN to BSN program. It will take more time, sure, but you'll save a boat load of cash. I would even consider this even if you or your family were wealthy.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I did an accelerated BSN with another BS. It was hardly a waste of time.

What I didn't want to do was the ASN/ADN route (though I had that as a backup) with a BS degree. Sorry, but that was my particular mindset.

Personally I wasn't comfortable going from zero to an MSN, so I didn't, and I've never regretted it. It wasn't a GPA issue for me (I had an honors GPA on my first bachelor's degree), it was not wanting to go straight to grad school, even though I'd previously taken and did well on the GRE and my BSN was comprised of 16 hours at the graduate level. (The GRE was even required for entry into my BSN due to the high grad level workload.) The thought of carrying an MSN without any prior experience or knowledge made me nervous, so I didn't choose that route.