Master's Entry Program or Accelerated BSN, MSN

[TeachEm, MSN, RN]

So I am currently a non-nursing major, decided later in my college career that the field that I was about to enter wasn't necessarily the best fit for me. Luckily, most of the classes that I was taking were in alignment with the pre-requisites for most Master's Entry programs (MESN, MEPN, MDP, etc.). But the more I looked into it, the more unsure I got with the Master's Entry Programs. I know that I want to earn my MSN, but now I am debating as to whether I should go through with a Master's Entry Program or whether I should enroll in an Accelerated BSN program, and then apply to a traditional MSN program. I am honestly trying to get out of school in the least amount of time, with the least amount of debt possible (I could dream, no?). Does anyone have any suggestions or advice that they'd like to share when it comes to those decisions?

[Young Tangerine]

I will be entering into a Accelerated Entry level MSN. I chose this route because i want to become a NP and this will help me achieve that goal faster. With a masters you can also climb up the clinical ladder faster (ex management positions) Keep in mind that since you already have a bachelors degree you will receive limited financial aid, if any for another undergraduate degree. Realize that there's also a limit on Federal students loans for undergraduates, so if you do a BSN program you might max out what you can borrow, whereas it's higher if you're doing an MSN. Honestly if your goals are to pursue an advanced practiced role in nursing i say go the msn route however if you just want to be an RN go the ASN route or BSN if you can afford it

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I strongly recommend BSN first - through whatever means you choose. How in the world would you know what area of advanced practice specialization to choose if you don't even know if you like nursing? An entry-level MSN is not associated with any sort of advanced clinical expertise. They tack on the "clinical nurse leader" as an ersatz specialization, but it's meaningless because you can't lead what you can't do. You'd be competing for same entry-level jobs as all the other new grads.

As a BSN, you'd be able to gain some actual clinical experience (required by the vast majority of well-regarded NP programs) and you'd also be eligible to take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits offered by your employer. My organization employs a lot of NPs... but those jobs are only offered to nurses with significant levels of experience & expertise. NP is not a safe place for a newbie - for the nurse or patient.

[Young Tangerine]

alot of what the above poster stated is not true. with a generalist MSN degree you will still be able to gain actual clinical experience just like a BSN and ADN grad before going to NP school and you may even receive tuition reimbursement. However a MSN allows you to move up the clinical ladder faster if you choose and going the graduate school route allows you to receive more financial aid. You will not receive a lot or any aid for another bachelors degree. Keep in mind accelerated programs especially at the graduate level have been around for decades especially at the ivy league level and if the grads from these programs were having trouble it would be widely known and they probably would cease to exist