ADN to RN then RN to MSN - Advice on that career path?

elkpark · Aug 17, 2009

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

Since you already have a BS, have you looked into any accelerated BSN programs? That would be full-time, and v. intensive and rigorous (you probably wouldn't be able to work more than part-time at most), but probably quicker than an ADN program (certainly quicker than a part-time ADN program). You might want to just "bite the bullet" and complete a program and get licensed as quickly as possible.

If you are sure you want an MSN, there are also "direct entry" MSN programs for people who already have a BA/BS in some other subject -- these programs combine basic nursing education plus the Master's program.

Best wishes for your journey --

ModelMom, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 17, 2009

Hi

I think your plan seems pretty reasonable, considering you would still need to maintain a full time job. I think the most cost effective, and family/work friendly approach to nursing, would be to get your associates degree in nursing, and then roll that RN (after passing the NCLEX) into an RN-BSN or RN-MS/MSN program (if you already hold a bachelors degree), as most RN-MS/MSN programs have BSN classes along with MS/MSN classes incorporated into the final degree curriculum. I think that getting a second BS degree would be great if you could stop working to go to school full time, but if not don't risk your cumulative and understanding of nursing to attend a BSN program while working...it's just a bit much! Just be sure to remember that the average associates degree in nursing takes about 2 years to complete, and if you decide to attend this program part-time it will most likely take longer than 2 years. However, most RN-MS/MSN programs are about 16-24 months, so you could make up time there.

Also, instead of actually entering the nursing program part time, would it be possible for you to take as many of the classes that are incorporated in the program, such as A&P I and II, Micro, Nutrition, etc. before you petition for the actual nursing program, so when you start the nursing program you would only have nursing classes to take, for example each semester you would have a nursing class along with that class' clinical, so you would only be carrying 6-10 credits per semester and it woul donly be one class really with a clinical. This is the approach I took, as I did not want to be overwhelmed with too many classes at one time, so by the time my actual program starts in January 2010, I will only be taking clinicals. This satisfies your want to go to school part time by completing your non-nursing classes first, and comleting only clinicals while you are in the actual nursing program.

Also, with most of the RN-MS/MSN programs I have looked at have demanded that applicants have atleast 1 year of experience prior to starting the MS specialty portion of their MS degree. So, say you want to be a nurse anesthetist, you would need to complete atleast 1 year of acute care experience prior to starting your curriculum for nurse anesthetia.

As far as having a BSN, my mentor is the CNO of Calvert Memorial Hospital in Maryland, and he consistently says that rolling from an RN-MS/MSN program is the best path for those already equipped with one BS/BA is another field other than nursing, as the RN-MS/MSN programs cover the BSN course and curriculum. So you should be fine :)

Good Luck, I hope this help :)

JBGC4 · Aug 17, 2009

I've heard the BSN route before the MSN route is a 'better' plan. The main reason behind this debate was that BSN still allows you to get a feel for the floor, getting behind each area of nursing whereas MSN is a more direct specialty. You could end up in a field of nursing you really don't enjoy only because you didn't have enough experience on the floor.

B/c you already have a bachelors, I would totally sugest an accelerated BSN. Then, go on from there for you MSN.