ABSN vs Generic MSN

Asherah, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2008

GMSN
Pluses:
-Federal Loans & Grants available
-Can forego the GRE
-Can live at home which saves $$
Minuses:
-I heard that MSN holders aren't recognized by certain hospitals thus resulting in a relatively lower pay than their BSN holding counterparts. Is this true?
-No dual BSN/MSN degree, only an MSN degree as the end point.
ABSN:
Pluses:
-Much faster so can become a floor nurse right away.
Minuses:
-More expensive since it's away from home
-May not qualify for fed loans
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :nuke:
-Meg

I have never heard of a hospital that would turn away a generic DEMSN holder (do you have specific examples?), as long as the program was accredited and recognized by the state, nor would I estimate that the pay would be less than a BSN-prepared new grad. If there are any hospitals that do indeed penalize you for being DEMSN-prepared, would you really want to work there?

Regarding the financial aid available for a 2nd Bachelor's, you may be able to receive Federal Stafford loans if you have not met the lifetime maximum undergrad Stafford loan limit of $46,000. Although, it is true, you will not be eligible for Pell grants as a 2nd BA/BS degree student.

In my opinion, you must examine further considerations:

What your ultimate long-term goal is within nursing (management, education, further graduate education)
Which program is most able to provide a direct path to these goals?
Each program's NCLEX pass rate, clinical student:instructor ratios

megamiepona · Mar 10, 2008

I have never heard of a hospital that would turn away a generic DEMSN holder (do you have specific examples?), as long as the program was accredited and recognized by the state, nor would I estimate that the pay would be less than a BSN-prepared new grad. If there are any hospitals that do indeed penalize you for being DEMSN-prepared, would you really want to work there?
Regarding the financial aid available for a 2nd Bachelor's, you may be able to receive Federal Stafford loans if you have not met the lifetime maximum undergrad Stafford loan limit of $46,000. Although, it is true, you will not be eligible for Pell grants as a 2nd BA/BS degree student.
In my opinion, you must examine further considerations:
What your ultimate long-term goal is within nursing (management, education, further graduate education)
Which program is most able to provide a direct path to these goals?
Each program's NCLEX pass rate, clinical student:instructor ratios

Thanks for your response Asherah! I heard briefly about the MSN vs BSN pay discrepancy while at Sam Merritt's ELMSN interview. The director mentioned that some hospitals are more welcoming of RNs with BSN rather than those with MSNs, which explains the discrepancy. But she didn't give any examples of hospitals with such cases. But in any case, you're right, I would have zero tolerance for a hospital with this kind of discrimination.

In terms of taking out loans during my undergrad, I'm definitely far from exhausting Stafford loans (since the limit is 46,000), so I think expenses should be under control.

In terms of a long-term goal, I've been interested in possibly becoming a holistic family nurse practitioner who works in a community clinic using both allopathic and alternative modalities to treat patients. At the moment, I'm looking into different areas within holistic nursing that I may be able to certify in after I finish nursing school. So I was thinking that if I got into the GMSN program, I will work as a floor nurse for maybe 2 years and then pursue a post-MSN FNP certificate. But I'm not sure if the GMSN program is a good investment of my time since I'm spending about 3 years in school with a non-FNP end point. On the other hand, if I went with the ABSN program, I will work as a floor nurse for about 2 years then apply to an FNP program and get certified in different alternative modalities so I can use it to treat patients.

But if I end up enjoying being a floor nurse, I may just stick with that. I'm leaving my options open right now since I haven't gone through clinical rotations just yet.