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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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!

The only area, that I know of, that requires the BSN is the DNP program.

This is confusing to me. I have a BS in Education, and ADN in Nursing, and Lord willing, will pass the NCLEX the first time and have my RN. I was looking at an RN-MSN program for those who already have a BS in anything but do all of DPN programs require a traditional BSN?? Would they not accept those in my shoes? Just wondering for the future!

Thanks!

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I don't think so. My more-of-a-schoolaholic than I am, she has a BS, an MBA and then the ADN. She did a BSN and an MSN concurrently because she wasn't sure what she wanted to do. They told her she had to have the BSN, the MSN or other BS or Masters would not fulfill requirements for DNP. I do not know the rationale behind it. Here in NC, they are doing away with NP w/MSN programs and offering only DNP for advanceed practice. There is still MSN in education, informatics and, I think, research. IF i were to go on, I would get my MSN in nursing education.

I' currently working on my MSN. I have a BA and an ADN, so hopefully I won't encounter this problem.

OP, I think you need to pursue this job by talking to other people at the facility.

I went through a BSN - DNP program and have run into some HR people who can't be convinced that I could be qualified for the job without an MSN.

My school, in TN, accepted either BSN or MSN graduates. The MSN could be as an NP or in something else like education or it could be an entry level MSN. I'm pretty sure they required a nursing degree higher than a diploma or ASN.

I assume the requirement was a time and cost issue since the program, for those without an NP license, was 3 years full time. Adding the extra undergrad classes would have made the program much longer and may affect funding for the school and students since the costs and eligibility requirements can be different for the undergrad and grad level classes.

My aunt is a clinical nurse manager at a hospital and she has an input when hiring new staff. She said that many time hospitals will prefer to hire new grad BSN's and opposed to new grad MSN's from an entry level program because they have to train both exactly the same but they will have to pay the MSN more because it is a masters degree. I'm sure every hospital is different but that may be a reason why.

This is confusing to me. I have a BS in Education, and ADN in Nursing, and Lord willing, will pass the NCLEX the first time and have my RN. I was looking at an RN-MSN program for those who already have a BS in anything but do all of DPN programs require a traditional BSN?? Would they not accept those in my shoes? Just wondering for the future!

Thanks!

I'm in the same situation, having a Bachelors degree in another field and an ADN. Looking at the BSN programs for colleges in my area, it appears that other than 3 or 4 courses that they are repeats of what I already have taken. Which leads to believe that it is simply a cash cow for local institutions to require this. In the case of my small town, the one requiring the BSN is same one that is selling the product.

I'm hoping that the education industry will change with demand, even though it's more profitable not to.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

thatnursingguy03 has described the exact hiring situation in my area. Managers are simply not hiring any entry-level MSNs due to previous experience. They are no more qualified for entry-level jobs than the generic BSN grads (their favorites) but seem to feel that they should be given special consideration and higher wages. Not happening. They are also not keen on ABSN grads due to reduced time for acclimation to the clinical environment. Many accelerated programs rely too much on simulation rather than actual patient care experience.

Lack of an undergrad nursing degree may also have consequences with license mobility since some state NPAs specify this as a requirement for licensure. I understand that this may be slowly changing.

I have encountered this issue in Houston myself. However, a bit different, nevertheless, extremely frustrating! Let me explain. I too have a BS in psychology (my first degree) then 6 years ago obtained an ADN and have been a nurse trained in intermediate and critical care. I recently completed an MSN in nursing education and applied for an educator position at a Magnet institution and was actually told I "lacked the foundation for nursing that managers at the facility would like me to have"!!! Oh my word, I can see the difference between saving money and hiring newbie BSN grads over newbie MSN grads, but I can't believe the sheer stupidity of NOT hiring someone with a BS degree (not to mention one in psychology that has all kinds of relevance to education!) an ADN, an MSN and 6 years of experience!! My advice is to look elsewhere to facilities that don't have HR and managers without common sense. Maybe I am missing something though?

Can't believe I forgot to mention, one of the most ironic things about not even getting an interview was that the job posting notes they would like the candidate to be enrolled in an MSN program by 2018...lol! So... they ultimately want someone with an MSN, but apparently already having that AND an ADN, BS, and six years of experience is not enough for a foundation! :bored:

Ok rant over...

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I haven't read all of the posts but I will say this;

If your hiring manager will not even stand up for you in this nonsensical matter of educational status how will he/she stand up for you in an important clinical matter?

I would be worried about my prospective new boss. How wishy washy and pushed around is this person? When will that leader throw me under the bus because someone in a suit is confused, angry, or needs a scapegoat?

My spidey sense is active...I would be cautious.

My aunt is a clinical nurse manager at a hospital and she has an input when hiring new staff. She said that many time hospitals will prefer to hire new grad BSN's and opposed to new grad MSN's from an entry level program because they have to train both exactly the same but they will have to pay the MSN more because it is a masters degree. I'm sure every hospital is different but that may be a reason why.

My degree is a BS in Education and this is one of the issues that have been in this field at the K-12 level as well. Particularly in areas where teaching jobs are scarce, the new grad can't get a full-time teaching job and substitute teaching can get old really fast and it doesn't pay the bills so they will go back to get an MS in Education. The states that have a strong teachers' union must pay the MS teacher more as it was negotiated that way in the last contract so like the hospital mentioned above, it hires the BS teacher for less money and the same amount of experience- none.

Specializes in Behavioral health.

True but all teachers are required to earn one. Working while taking graduate education classes is distracting for new teachers adjusting to the profession. Penny wise, Pound foolish.

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