Accelerated BSN VS Masters Entry

[jearbear]

Hey all!

So I recently graduated with my BA and am planning to pursue nursing. However, I'm torn between entering an accelerated program, which would take about a year and going straight into a master's program, which would take 2-3 years. I eventually do want to pursue my masters but, the former sounds so much more appealing of course because of the short amount of time that would allow me jump into the field and because I feel like it would be best to get as much experience before choosing and pursuing a specialty.

Do you think it is more advantageous to go straight into a masters program? Or would you recommend attaining my BSN first and after a few years, go for the masters? All the while, I'm hearing that the job market for nursing is looking grim, which make me altogether skeptical in going this route at all. Any thoughts?

I'd appreciate any feedback :)

[Student4_life]

To me it seems like alot of the masters programs are little more than BSN programs, but are set up to allow second degree students the ability to get govt loans (grad plus), that they would have been otherwise denied. My first bit of advice is to shadow a nurse to see if this is really what you want to do, if it is then get over to your local community college and knock out your pre-reqs. After that is when your finances come into play, if you can afford to get private loans or can pay for school now go ABSN, however if you are going to need your education funded go for the masters.

[omw2help, BSN, RN]

Hi jearbear.

I'm in the same boat, I have a non-nursing bachelors and I'm applying to programs now. I went to an info session recently where the question was posed to a few hospital hiring managers: "In terms of hiring a new grad, would you give preference to a MSN vs BSN for a new RN position?" They first responded hesitantly (to cover their backs) by saying we are required to treat all qualified applicants equally... but then followed up by saying that all new grads are new grads, meaning that both a new MSN and BSN are essentially applying for the same positions because they both are new to the field and lack the 1-2 years of real work experience. My conclusions were that it did not immediately benefit you to have the MSN, but that changes after a few years experience.

I have decided to pursue a BSN first, get some experience, then return for a masters. Also, my prior bachelors GPA is hurting my chances for getting accepted into competitive masters level programs. Your situation may differ, but I just thought I would share what I had heard.

Maybe a new grad MSN could post their experiences for us?? :)