Accelerated BSN or Direct Entry?

I am in the same boat but farther removed from the degree (mine is in Bio & Psych).
I am looking at both as well. The ASBN here is 1 yr and the DE-MSN programs range from 15 months - 2 yrs.
The difference I think lies in what you want to do after your completion of the program. From my research thus far, the ABSN's are for if you just want to get you RN and get into practice and for the moment anyway do not wish to go farther with your career. On the other hand the DE-MSN's, which as you said you will also get your RN during, are more designed for those who wish to go onto further their education by pursuing a Post-Master's certificate as either a NP or a APN.
For me, I know going in that I want to pursue a NP, so the DE-MSN programs are more appealing although the ABSN program cuts out a yr, but the DE-MSN programs are more geared toward my final career goal.

I think you first have to look at what your career goal is (for the moment), then take stock of which one will get you there. Also, perhaps consider a relocation for a shorter DE-MSN program if possible.

Hey, I think you may have a little misinformation. All nursing schools are suppose to teach you how to be a nurse, and therefore help you prepare for the NCLEX. So, by going to nursing school, weather it be a 2-year degree, 4-year degree, or masters level, you are preparing for the NCLEX in exactly the same way. There is NO difference when taking the NCLEX. Everyone must learn the same material.

You should think about your long term goals. Do you want to have a masters degree, or not? If so, what do you want your masters degree to be in?

In my situation, I want to become a nurse anesthetist. This means attending a masters degree program. However, to apply to any nurse anesthetist program, one needs to have critical care experience. So in my case, the quickest way to gain the critical care experience was to go through an ABSN program, get the critical care time needed, and then apply to the masters degree program.

Different people have different goals, and the route they take to attain those goals may be different from others. So my advice would be to look at where you want to be, and then determine a plan to get there.

I want a masters degree, however the direct entry masters program would not be the fastest route for me, so I chose the ABSN route first, and then I will apply to masters degree programs in the future. Hope this helps. Good luck.

There are 3 DE-MSN programs near me. At the end of one you do receive a NP in one of a specific set of specialities along with the RN, while in the other two you receive your RN. However the other two on their webpage specifically state that their program is designed for "the individual whose ultimate goal is advanced practice or doctoral preparation in nursing". Now this may not be true in all programs, but I am basing my statement on the programs here that state this very specific thing on their webpage.

I agree with Nurse2bKY. We only have one Direct Entry or Alternate Entry MSN program in NC that I'm aware of. It doesn't even award you a BSN degree once you complete the pertinent courses required for eligibility to sit for the NCLEX.

If you're ultimate goal is to become a CRNA like nurse2bky, I would not suggest the Direct Entry program. I don't think the Nurse Anesthesist is offered as one of the attainable concentrations via the Direct Entry MSN programs, at least not at the one school that has the DE MSN program here.

But if you want to become an NP then I would probably go for the DE MSN program. Either way, most MSN programs ask that you have at least 1 year of critical care or acute care experience. The DE MSN program here prepares you for your RN in a year, the ABSN programs here prepare you in 13-16 months.

Apply to both, at least then you'd have a back up plan if you don't get in to the first one.