Anyone have an MSN with no BSN? Problems with this?

Peanut&Buttercup · Jul 7, 2014

I haven't even started nursing school yet, but I googled and found:

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/DEO-FAQ#B1

I'd think that if the CNO, nurse leaders and nurse managers are allowed to have a masters in nursing with some other bachelors, you'd think a staff nurse would too.

However, I'm not sure how you convince them of that! Good luck.

enuf_already · Jul 7, 2014

Hi Guys,
I have kind of an unusual degree. I have a MSN in Nursing. The program was entry level, for people who already had a bachelors in an area other than nursing. (I also have a BS in Psychology.) I recently applied for a new job at a magnet hospital. They are telling me that because of their magnet status, they can only hire nurses with a BSN. I really don't understand this reasoning, when I have a degree higher than a BSN. Has anybody had a similar experience? Maybe some of you out there are ADN to MSN degree holders? It's really frustrating because I was actually recommended for this job, met with the hiring manager who seemed really excited about me, and now it seems we are at a dead end. UGh!

I'm not in the same boat but a similar unanswered question came up in our Magnet institution recently. Several associate degree nurses were considering a program which would allow them to start and finish with an MSN but no BSN would be awarded. Everyone questioned if there would be an issue if a job required a BSN, since the program graduate would only have the MSN.

No one could provide an answer. I think you just did.

Good luck to you.

nursemeanie · Jul 7, 2014

I did an accelerated ADN program and then several years later completed an RN to MSN program, no BSN was awarded. I work for a magnet facility, they have no issue with this, since it is a higher degree, and in essence is "more" than the minimum.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Magnet facilities can hire ADNs but they have to have a certain number of BSN nurses. However, I was under the impression that MSN was okay because it was a higher level of nursing. One thing to keep in mind is that you may be talking to a HR person who is filtering out applications.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

I found this from ANCC's website:

f a nurse manager has a master's degree in nursing but not a baccalaureate in nursing, will that meet the requirements that are outlined on p. 6 in the manual?
The requirement is for at least a bachelor's degree in nursing. The Commission on Magnet (COM) believes that it is essential that nurse managers know the theory base for the profession. This theory base is required in curricula for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in nursing. The criterion states that effective January 1, 2011, 75% of nurse managers must have at least a baccalaureate in nursing. A higher degree in nursing (a master's or doctorate in nursing), will meet the requirement even if the baccalaureate degree is not in nursing. return to top

I would print this out and take it to them - show that per the Magnet people, something ABOVE a BSN is perfectly okay. Geesh, when did common sense go out the window? THis would seem like a no-brainer to me.

UVA Grad Nursing · Jul 7, 2014

We have been graduating Master's Entry students since 2007; we award a MSN degree to those from non-nursing backgrounds. None have had any difficulty being hired at Magnet facilities or at the V.A which also has a BSN requirement.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Your facility is misinformed.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

Someone in Human Resources needs to be re-educated. I wonder just what that person thinks an MSN is? There is a possibility, however, that a manager could think you would be more educated than he/she is, and not want to hire you, as you might be a threat with your higher degree. When it comes to jobs, people can be cut-throat. I would go back and pursue this job again.

Gentleman_nurse, MSN · Jul 10, 2014

Yes, it could be a personnel clerk is reading from a checklist and can't connect the dots. But why is the nursing manager is not advocating for you by pointing this out to HR. Magnet certification is under the control of nursing not HR. Magnet doesn't state you can't be hired. Are they telling you this because they're dishonest or really incompetent?

nurse4ever08 · Jul 10, 2014

Did you do a program with clinicals, skills, and theory? Do you hold a RN license not just MSN?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

I think it is a question of interpretation. There is no reason that they should not accept an MSN with no BSN. I am fortunate to work for an organization that looks outside of the narrow requirement of seeing "BSN" on a resume. I have an ADN (working on the BSN now) but I also have a BS in another field and a Masters in another field. They consider all of that. Our school of nursing (teaching hospital) encourages people that have other degrees to by pass the BSN if we already have a bachelors in another field. The only area, that I know of, that requires the BSN is the DNP program.