Trying to decide between an accelerated BSN and accelerated MSN program

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I am now 27 years old and have my CNA certification and all of the prerequisites needed to begin a bachelors or masters program for nursing. I applied at Creighton's School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska and was accepted for a one year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (cost: approx. $40,000 for the year). I was also accepted to a two year accelerated Master of Science (Clinical Nurse Leader) "General Entry Masters" program at Rush University in Chicago (approx $60,000 total for two years).

Originally I was looking forward to pursuing the masters degree from Rush, but the more I talk to most nurses at various spectrums, the more I feel it may be a better decision to get my bachelors in nursing and gain some experience first, prior to obtaining the masters/doctorate (and less stressful). In the future I may want to teach, be in charge of a floor, or help run a healthcare facility, but I am not sure what exactly I'd like to do yet. I have not had very much experience in nursing up until now, as my experience has basically consisted of volunteer experience, experience with family and friends, and the time spent in my CNA clinicals. I have even been pondering pursuing a FNP (family nurse practitioner) or specializing in midwifery or geriatrics...etc etc.

My question is - whether it will pay off more to jump in and get my feet wet with the masters degree at Rush and then be out in the field with no experience and a masters..but possibly more job opportunity and potential higher salary or whether I should stick to the BSN route, which is $20,000 less than the program at Rush and one only one year of pure stress as opposed to two. I am supposed to start this Fall and really struggling with the decision. I would like to get as much input from nurses in the field as possible.

Does anyone out there have experience with either Creighton or Rush and or accelerated nursing programs? Or just advice in general from personal experience? I would really appreciate the input and perspectives.

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I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I am now 27 years old and have my CNA certification and all of the prerequisites needed to begin a bachelors or masters program for nursing. I applied at Creighton's School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska and was accepted for a one year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (cost: approx. $40,000 for the year). I was also accepted to a two year accelerated Master of Science (Clinical Nurse Leader) "General Entry Masters" program at Rush University in Chicago (approx $60,000 total for two years).

Originally I was looking forward to pursuing the masters degree from Rush, but the more I talk to most nurses at various spectrums, the more I feel it may be a better decision to get my bachelors in nursing and gain some experience first, prior to obtaining the masters/doctorate (and less stressful). In the future I may want to teach, be in charge of a floor, or help run a healthcare facility, but I am not sure what exactly I'd like to do yet. I have not had very much experience in nursing up until now, as my experience has basically consisted of volunteer experience, experience with family and friends, and the time spent in my CNA clinicals. I have even been pondering pursuing a FNP (family nurse practitioner) or specializing in midwifery or geriatrics...etc etc.

My question is - whether it will pay off more to jump in and get my feet wet with the masters degree at Rush and then be out in the field with no experience and a masters..but possibly more job opportunity and potential higher salary or whether I should stick to the BSN route, which is $20,000 less than the program at Rush and one only one year of pure stress as opposed to two. I am supposed to start this Fall and really struggling with the decision. I would like to get as much input from nurses in the field as possible.

Does anyone out there have experience with either Creighton or Rush and or accelerated nursing programs? Or just advice in general from personal experience? I would really appreciate the input and perspectives.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

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Here's one perspective: have you looked into financing your education at all yet? There are options for loans for a Master's degree that are not available for a Bachelor's degree, particularly a second one. AND particularly for a person who graduated so recently with a Bachelor's who has Stafford loans.

Whether you graduate with the CNL-RN or a BSN-RN, you still will be an entry-level nurse with no experience, and you will likely find that the jobs available to you will reflect that. Yes, you could be higher on the job queue with a Master's behind you, but you still will have to develop the confidence and skills to back it up, and that takes time.

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Dear meljonumd, thanks for the quick response. Yes, I have looked into financing...but I must look into it further. I currently and luckily am debt-free, and have applied for a full-ride scholarship through the government (which had to be applied towards either a BSN or ASN program only) so I applied for the program at Creighton, though I may not find out if I receive it until Aug 31, after school starts. Unfortunately I could not find any scholarships to apply to at Rush, and Rush stated they make students aware of scholarships as they arise throughout the semesters. If I do not receive the gov scholarship (which will be applied to Creighton), I will have to take out loans. I was approved for 50,000 in loans to go to Creighton, but am nervous to take out that much debt. In all cases, I would have to take out the loans to go to Rush. I have an appointment set up with the office of financial aid at Creighton next week to see what options could be.

I definitely agree with you on building the skills and confidence necessary to be a great nurse... it does take time and practice which is why regardless of the money issue I am slightly more hesitant at the moment to go the direct entry msn route.

Appreciate the advice: )

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If you are determined to go the accelerated route, I recommend the BSN. Job prospects for new grad entry-level MSNs are not wonderful. In my part of the country, no one is hiring ELM grads... due to poor experiences and surplus of BSN grads. Many hiring managers in my organization have also become averse to hiring ABSN grads. They report problems with clinical preparation and major problems adjusting to the working environment... maybe due to lack of exposure?

In nursing, we specialize at the graduate level. Therefore, we expect MSNs to have specialty expertise - MSN-required jobs are designed with this in mind, whether it is for CNSs, NPs, CNMs, Educators, etc. ELMs will end up in basic new-grad staff nurse jobs that are basically designed for BSN grads. This is undoubtedly 'downward mobility' for many people who have work experience in other careers, particularly if they were in another profession. Bedside staff nursing is at the bottom of the clinical hierarchy in hospitals.. rigid schedules, unpopular shifts, lack of autonomy. . . higher level (more attractive & better paying) jobs require significant levels of clinical competency/expertise. Classic Catch-22

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