Advice for BSN vs MSN

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Hi Everyone,

I have a previous bachelors from UF and graduated with a 2.51 gpa. I took about a year of classes after I graduated with hopes of becoming a pre-med but ultimately I couldn't handle the rigor of it in terms of the mathematics. Anyway, with these additional classes I believe my GPA sits at around a 2.7 or 2.8. To date, I have completed the majority of my nursing pre-requites,with mostly A's and a few B's and I am currently enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology II and lab and will finish with microbiology and lab the semester after this. I definitely think nursing is for me and despite a low GPA the first time around in college ten years ago, I am a very dedicated student and desperately want an opportunity to enter an excellent program.

I am debating between several BSN vs MSN programs. I feel like I can start a BSN program sooner (if accepted, of course) where as the MSN programs would require me to re-take two prerequisites (statistics and human growth and development) which I took and received good grades in, but they have a ten year cap on accepting those. I would also need to take a GRE which I would need adequate time to prepare for. The issue is that I am currently living at home and it's not a good environment for me at all (my parents are alcoholics and emotionally abusive and I am isolated in the town that they live in). Due to my situation, I'm wondering if it would be better for me to start a BSN program that starts sooner or if putting up with the bad environment for longer would be worth it to get into a masters program, which I would have a better shot at getting financial aid for. I ultimately want to be a DNP, so even if I did the BSN, I would plan on doing MSN at some point shortly after it.

Any advice is appreciated!

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello,

First off, sorry to hear about your situation at home.

As far BSN vs MSN, I suggest you go for the BSN and get some solid experience in the field before you continue to move forward. There are many facets of nursing and your long-term goals might change. Pace yourself, one goal at a time.

Best wishes!

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I don't know if your GPA is high enough for an MSN to be frank. I had similar GPA for my first bachelors. Took the BSN route and just recently graduated.

It seems like from your current situation getting out of your environment would be more beneficial for you, so the shorter you have to be in that environment the better. If finances are a concern, you should also look at ASN. A nurse is a nurses no matter what degree. The best preceptor I ever had only had her ASN and I was always in awe of her.

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Thats what I was leaning towards. Thanks for the solid advice!

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