accelerated master in nursing

SparkleRN · Apr 3, 2010

If I were you, I'd go the MSN route. Yes, it's 3 years and that seems daunting, however 3 years from now the economy will be in a better place and you will have many more opportunities and better pay. If you really want to stay in nursing and make it your long term career, you will need an MSN anyway, so just stick it out and get it over with now. BSN's are fighting for positions right now, it is highly competitive. Do yourself a favor and go all the way. You'll be happy you did - I wish I would have!

sourapril · Apr 4, 2010

Thanks! But I am worried about my lack of clinical experience. It seems like I am just going from one school to another. Without much experience, I am not sure how I will find a job even if the economy does get better.

SparkleRN · Apr 5, 2010

I wouldn't worry too much about the clinical experience. An older nurse might tell you something different, but times are changing and so is the profession. If you get an MSN, you are training into an advanced position. You will gain the clinical experience specific to your field of study in school. I have a friend who did an accelerated MSN, and he got WAY more clinical experience than my accelerated ADN program. As you will be training at a master's level, you will gain master's level knowledge. No one would advise a banker to first be a teller at a bank to get "experience" - likewise no one would advise a doctor to first be a PA to get experience (although people do this, but most just train as doctors right out of undergrad). You train into the level at which you will be practicing. A lot of nurses have this humble attitude that they should start at the bottom and work their way up - it causes the profession to be seen as meek, subservient women's work. Start at the top and don't look back. I know a lot of people won't agree with me, but that's the way I see it. You only start at the bottom when you don't have any other options. If you have the option to be on top, start at the top. When you start work, they know you will be a new grad, even if you are master's trained - don't worry, they will train you on the job.

Music in My Heart · Apr 5, 2010

Anyone here who is a recent graduate from an accelerated master's program? Is it easier to find a job once you have a master degree? Or is experience more important than credentials? I am debating whether to study three years for the accelerated master or go for the year-long bachelor program and get some working experience first and then apply to a regular master program. Any suggestions?

I am a recent graduate of such a program. I don't think it's easier to find a job and certainly experience is more important. In fact, there is some serious bias AGAINST such programs among some nurses.

That said, I'm pleased with my decision to pursue the educational path that I did ~ mostly because I've already obtained two BS degrees and it seemed more appropriate to study at the MS level, though I have no intention of ever being anything besides a bedside RN.

SparkleRN · Apr 5, 2010

I think ♪♫ in my ♥'s reply is right on - basically what do you want to do? If you want to be more than a bedside RN, get your advanced degree. If you plan on working as a bedside RN and not moving up the ladder, then by all means go the BSN route. Yes, there probably is some hesitancy among other nurses who will look down on you for not having the clinical experience, but on paper if it comes down to your resume with a BSN and someone with an MSN, the MSN will win hands down. I'll stop ranting and let you make your own decision, but I'm all for higher education when opportunity knocks, you'd never regret it.

Music in My Heart · Apr 5, 2010

Look at it this way: At some point you will have BOTH the clinical experience AND the advanced degree.

Just to dispel a common myth: Some direct-entry MSN programs provide more clinical experiences than some ADN programs. I work with several ADN grads and it turns out that my clinical experiences in school were both broader and more in-depth than theirs.