accelerated bsn vs direct entry msn

I'm not a DE student, but this is what I've heard and read. If you can get into an accelerated BSN program without a long waitlist, that might be the best way to go initially. You'll actually have your nursing degree, can take NCLEX, and will have something to show for your work. You can then apply to any MSN program you want since you'll have your BSN/RN licensure. However, there are long waitlists for undergraduate nursing programs. The advantage of the DE programs is that there isn't a waiting list -- you're either accepted or not, and you can finish the program in about 3 - 3.5 years and be finished with your APRN, whereas the waitlist alone for RN programs can be that long! I knew people who attended DE programs for just this reason -- this reason made sense to me -- they generally planned to work for awhile as an RN for experience. Good luck.

I've generally heard that accelerated BSN programs take between 15 and 18 months, and direct-entry MSN takes between 2 and 3.5 years.

And it seems to be true that the DE MSN are easier to get into than the AC BSN programs. But a lot depends upon what you ultimately plan to do as an RN---I would in fact argue that this is more important than costs or waiting lists.

One quick note: Employers are more willing to pay for a BSN than an MSN (according to my highly placed source). So if you're considering an MSN, don't expect that an employer will cover all your costs.