Accelerated BSN or Entry-Level MSN to be NP or CRNA?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello everyone!

I am currently finishing a Psychology degree at a UC and I plan on enrolling in Nursing School in the fall of 2014 or 2015. I am interested in becoming a In-Hospital Pediatric NP, Neonatal NP, or an CRNA.

Originally I planned on enrolling into a Entry-Level MSN program, however now I am considering enrolling in a ABSN program, becoming and working as a RN and studying for my MSN in a part-time program.

Should I stick to my original plan and go for a MSN or start with a BSN? Which would be a better or more preferred path to take?

:) blessings :)

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Specializes in ICU, ED, cardiac, surgery, cath lab..

I would go for the ABSN. I feel like you need to get at least some RN experience before heading into the NP route. I also plan to go to NP school and am finishing up my BSN this December.

It also depends on what kind of NP you want to be. Acute Care and Neonatal require at least 1-2 years in their respective specialties before getting in, which makes sense as these are much more intense specialties. I plan to go FNP, which is primary care so my experience in the acute care setting can definitely help with my critical thinking, assessment and time management skills.

Also, I do believe that CRNA schools require 2 years ICU experience, at least from what I understand here in Texas.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Based on your interest areas, I would go the BSN route. None of those specialities are going to let you through without working, and you absolutely cannot know if you actually want to work in any of those areas without experience. Even if you could, I don't know who would hire you.

And I would much rather work as an RN before grad school and maybe part time during.

My area doesn't even have any direct entry programs because hospitals stopped hiring their graduates because of too many bad experiences.

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Don't do the entry level MSN. When you have a masters employers expect you to have clinical experience that matches that level of education.

Get your BSN, then get a lot of hands on experience and determine what type of nursing is for you. Then get the MSN.

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Entry Level MSNs are very hard to get into. I say if you can get into one, do it. If you get in, the admissions staff clearly think you are competent and ready for it. You will save money and can do the masters portion part time while working and getting that clinical experience as an RN as well. Or, even if you do it full time and dont work as an RN, you can always be a highly qualified RN after and know you have the MSN under your belt.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

The direct entry MSN programs are normally very selective and very intense in workload. Most students end up working part time following the pre-licensure program and do the graduate program part time while working; those that go straight through have their work cut out for them. If you can hack it, it's not a bad option but expect to be the top of the top to do it.

Keep in mind that CRNAs are a unique bunch in the APRN world and (I think) all require ICU experience. If that is your plan, do some research.

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Thank you so much you guys! I'm still getting mixed reviews on whether or not to do a EL-MSN program...

I think I might apply to both and see what happens....

And why are EL-MSN looked down upon so much?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I don't think they are "looked down" upon at all. I think RNs are skeptical about them out of concerns re: competency. If you are competent and confident you will be prepared when you graduate.

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