ASN -BSN or ASN-MSN options @ IU

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Specializes in DD, HHC, Med Surg, PCU, Resource.

Anyone have any experience with the ASN-BSN option at IUK or any of the IU campuses? Or The ASN-MSN option through IUPUI?

I am getting ready to graduate May 13 (but not officially done until the end of July), with my ASN. At this time the plan is to get my MSN (leaning towards FNP).

I am trying to decide whether to try and work for 2 years and apply to direct ASN-MSN after...taking it easy working on the required general education courses. Or go ahead and work a little harder in those 2 years and earn my BSN before applying to a MSN program.

Getting my BSN allows me greater flexibility with MSN programs. Whereas if I went the ASN-MSN option I feel like I would be putting all my eggs into one basket. The thought in 2 years having a BSN degree is appealing also.

The upside of the MSN besides being able to take it easier academically over the 2 years while working and building my fledgling nursing skills is it would be cheaper.

So what do you all think?

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IUK after you do your coreqs is only 3 semesters. If you do your bsn first you'll get experience you that would be beneficial before going on to your masters. The deadline to apply for fall semester rn-bsn is coming up in like a month, fyi...and they only start the rn-bsn once a year at iuk. and, no clinicals! I don't know much about the masters as i'm not doing that yet.

But if you have your heart set on the masters, then maybe that'd be best to go for since in the meantime you'd be able to gain experience working.

Hate decisons like that lol!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I just graduated from IUPUC in the RN to BSN program. I don't regret it a bit, but now I am mulling over a Masters program. I think in hindsight, I would have looked into IUPUI at the RN-MSN program though. You do earn a BSN in the course of the program, so you wrap it all up at once. I went straight from my ASN program to my BSN program, so I had the new nurse learning curve at the same time I was working on classes.

I hope this helps some?

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to IN Nursing Programs Discussion forum.

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Hi! I am actually working on my ASN right now and I am actually interested in the ASN to MSN option myself. When I went to IUPUI and spoke to an advisor in the nursing department, besides the 2 yrs of experience, he said you would either need a bachelor's degree in something (doesn't have to be nursing) or enough credits to get a bachelor's degree. So I am actually going to finish my Spanish degree at IUPUI, work as an RN for two years and then apply for the MSN program.

Hope this helps a little! Good Luck with whatever you choose.

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