Accelerated BSN vs. Master's Direct Entry - HELP PLEASE!

[dvth15]

Hello!

I'm writing this post in hopes of gaining further insight/advice about ABSN vs. master direct entry programs. I'm currently a senior undergraduate student studying sociology. I'm just about finished with my pre request courses (still need to take chem and microbio this summer before I begin a nursing program in the fall).

I have applied to 6 schools, all of which are different types of programs. The programs are the following: 1) northeastern university's master's direct entry program (I would obtain both a BSN and a MSN- would be an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner after graduating/ passing board exams), 2) George Washington University's ABSN program, 3) Georgetown University's clinical nurse leader program (would receive a msn only), 4) Villanova University's ABSN program, 5) University of Rochester's ABSN program, 6) NYU's ABSN program. So far I've been accepted into Northeastern, GW, and Georgetown, and am still awaiting a response from the other three.

All of the programs that I have been accepted into thus far are three very different types of programs, and I really don't know what direction to head towards. Since I am still an undergraduate student and haven't had any clinical experience or really any direct patient care experience (I did volunteer in a nursing home for quite some time which is why I know I want to work with the elderly population), Im worried I may not be ready for a MSN program or to start out in the field as a NP. However, I believe I ultimately want to be a NP so my thinking is why not get the education done all at once while I'm still in the academic mode. Then I go back thinking why not just get the BSN, work for a little to get the experience/earn some money, then go back for the MSN.

I dont know if this makes sense or not, but I was hoping to get some advice from people who have gone through a similar debate before. I really appreciate any insight you can give because this is a really tough decision for me and I have to start putting down deposited soon (scary)!! But thank you, I really appreciate it!!!

[PVCCHoo]

Do the cheapest one.

Seriously. ADN, BSN, MSN direct entry all start at the same pay as a novice nurse.

Get in to the field and then decide what you want to go back for down the road.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I started in a direct-entry MSN program, and then ended up transferring to the accelerated BSN program after passing the NCLEX. I wanted real world full time nursing experience before becoming a NP.

But everyone is different. I've had friends in the program that stuck with it and are great nurses and are now becoming NPs. I do recommend working while completing the MSN portion. (In fact, some programs might actually require that).