Get my BSN or Direct-Entry MSN?

[HesterPrynne123]

I am 25 years old and just graduated last year with a BS in Biology, which took me 6 years to finish because I changed majors numerous times. I am now interested in going back to school to become a nurse, but need some advice! I can't decide whether to go back to get my BSN (either through an accelerated program or 4 year program-ugh!) or go into a direct-entry MSN program. I can't stand the thought of going back to school for 4 more years, so that is why the direct-entry programs and Accelerated BSN are tempting, but I'm not sure which is the better choice. A Nurse Practitioner I know advised me to become an RN first rather than going straight to direct-entry to become an NP, because I wouldn't gain enough experience.

Any advice would be helpful! Also, the thought of taking out more student loans makes me cringe...It is worth it, right?

[leenak]

Is that really true about the loans for BSN programs? How do people pay for school if they go back fro a second degree? It's seems hard to believe that prospective students would have $50,000 laying around to pay for school! I know I don't! I'm trying to save as best I can, but I'm still going for the BSN instead of the MSN. :)

I should've clarified in that I was referring to federal loans. You can still get federal loans for a second degree BSN programs but the limits are less.

For a BSN, your yearly limit is $12.5k, but it fits under the $57k lifetime limit for BS/BA degrees. I borrowed $10k for my first BS so this wouldn't be an issue as I should still qualify for up to $47k in stafford loans.

For a MSN, your yearly limit is $20.5k and the lifetime limit is $224k.

If you have a $50k tuition, then private loans are the way to cover the difference. Even if you had a $50k tuition, the MSN limit still wouldn't meet the tuition costs so private loans would still be required

[PMFB-RN, RN]

A lot of the direct entry MSN programs are for MSN-Clinical Nurse Leader.

*** Clinical nurse leader is a title looking for a job. First, while there may be hospitals that hire people for the position of clinical nurse leader, I have never seen it. I have worked at a number of hospitals in 4 states and never heard of, or seen a clinical nurse leader, or an open job posting for one.

Even if such a position exsists nobody is going to hire a new grad with no experience into it. I think many people see the irony of a brand new grad being called a "clinical nurse leader".

[lolotambu]

How was your experience? I'm facing the same issue now. The option I'm looking at now is either ABSN or MSN - however the man dies not give you NP.

I'd like to eventually teach so I was debating if I should do the ABSN and move directly to a DNP after gaining the experience.

Are you happy with your desicion after becoming a nurse?

Thanks.