Associate RN vs. Master of Nursing?

Published

I have a B.S. in Business and have been working as a Medical Market Research Analyst for 6 years. The longer I work in this field the more interested I become in the medical field. I want to be a nurse. I don't know what to do at this point. Do I go to Ivy Tech where I have to take the TEAS test and "wait" to get into the nursing program or do I spend 3 times as much money and go to a school where I've been accepted into the Master of Nursing program (accelerated) where the entrance exam was waived and I will be done by September, 2010? The price difference has me worried. Ivy Tech is less than $10,000 to complete the program. The Master of Nursing program I'm considering is $37,000. Will I find a hospital that will reimburse me for that much money? Is it worth it to have a Master's degree? Keep in mind it is NOT a Master of Science degree. It is just a Master of Nursing. This degree was created for people holding a bachelor degree in a non-nursing field. I'm having a hard time deciding where to go. right now I am taking my prerequisites at Ivy Tech (Anatomy and Microbiology).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you should speak with a Nurse Recruiter at a hospital and have them tell you the benefits.

-David H.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Which program is the better of the two? Clinical experiences, pass rate, NCLEX pass rate,opinions from past grads, etc. Yeah, it'd be great to have a MSN but you don't need that to practice. Getting a strong basic nursing foundation and good clinical skills should be a priority.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The Masters program has a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX. I'm not sure about Ivy Tech. I'm enrolled at Ivy Tech for the prereqs but can't get a call back from the Nursing Adminstrator. I talked to a few hospitals and have been told that I would get hired at entry level like everyone else but with a Masters I could advance a lot faster. The amount of money I need to borrow scares me to death though. I just think it's strange that I applied to both schools at the same time and have already been accepted into the Masters program and there is such a waiting list for the Associates program at Ivy Tech. I appreciate your input. I have a lot to think about and I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.

If you are going to want to advance further in the nursing profession then go for the higher education or look into an accelerated BSN program. That's just MHO. You really need to do what you can afford and money should not be the only consideration the time you have to wait should be a be factor as well. Good Luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Triage, MedSurg, MomBaby, Peds, HH.

I see the more expensive education without the wait as being the more cost effective.

Instead of waiting, you'll be earning money as a nurse much faster. In fact you'll earn more than $37k the first year out of school.

I had a similar dilemma: CC or BSN. Our community college's program, while both extremely cheap and exceedingly excellent, has a 5 year wait list. The BSN program, while expensive, was immediately accessible.

I chose the BSN which enables me to have my RN three years before I could even BEGIN the ADN. The entire loan can be paid off in a few short years with my salary.

To each his own though, everyone's situation is different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Instead of waiting, you'll be earning money as a nurse much faster. In fact you'll earn more than $37k the first year out of school.

-Shoot are you kidding me. You'll be earning more like 50k your first year out of school, and that's only if you work 3 days a week on day shift. The hospital I work at anything over 36 is over time.

-David H.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/Neonatal, Med/Surg, Instructor.

If the master's program has a 100% pass rate and you can get in now you will be light years ahead. As a nurse tech who earned an ADN then waited over a decade to return to school for the BSN and MSN, go for it. A call to the education and training coordinator as well as the nurse recruiter in your area will give you a better idea about tuition reimbursement, scholarships, incentive pay, etc. for the MSN. Good luck!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to all of you for such wonderful advice and encouraging words! I want so badly to be a nurse and wish I would have made this decision a long time ago. I'm already 40 and feel I should not waste any more time with waiting lists, etc.

I may bite the bullet and go to the more expensive school and just work overtime for a few years to get the loan paid off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion