BA in Non-Nursing Field -->BSN or MSN after ADN?

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Hi everyone,

I've been researching advice on my specific situation for quite a while, mostly by looking up related posts on allnurses.com, but I haven't quite settled on an answer to my question. I know there are several threads on my topic but I am really looking for a response that is tailored to my situation.

So it turns out that I spent a lot of time and money getting a BA in psychology, got pregnant, had a baby, and realized I don't have the time or money to go to graduate school to get an advanced psychology degree that is nowadays a prerequisite to get a psychology-related job.

So I felt I needed a career change fast and found that getting an associates degree in nursing would allow me to work in about 2 years.

So here I am, in an ADN program, doing very well and enjoying the profession (the important part), and wondering what my next move should be.

In any case I plan to work as an RN first, earn money, and get some experience. I live in SE Ohio so ADN-prepared RNs are still being hired.

But what should I do after that? Should I get a BSN so I can move elsewhere? I really don't want to live in SE Ohio for the rest of my life. Is it necessary to get another Bacherlor's degree? What would be the advantages/disadvantages of getting a BSN before the MSN/DNP?

Or should I go for an accelerated MSN program? I've seen ones that award the BSN along the way, although some do not. What are the advantages/disadvantages of getting a MSN and skipping the BSN (if I can't get it along the way)?

My ultimate goal is to have some kind of advanced position in nursing. Maybe something administrative? I wouldn't say no to research either. I'm also not sure if I want to stop at the MSN. I might want to go for the DNP. I'm not sure what's the difference between the two degrees in terms of career opportunity.

Can anyone speak from a similar experience?

And can anyone give advice on which advanced nursing career path to choose? I realize you have to know what career you want before you decide on a degree. I'm just trying to get ideas!

Thanks for the help in advance!

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im in almost exact situation got a useless BA in a non medical field. had to do something so doing the adn because cheaper and debt from other degree.

I could have done a entry level master program for people with non medical degrees to become rn but the cost was very high .

I want to move to texas eventually and do a rn-msn program the programs I looked at you get your bsn first then complete the masters level classes and end being ( family nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or informatics ) the one I really want to do I would end being a FNP which is about 80-100k on average in Texas.

Im like you I need a paycheck though before I can think about this extra stuff :)

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Always thought about this but never seen anyone actually take this route. I am in the same situation, got a BA and doing ADN now. Very likely I'll be accepted to clinicals at this time (4.0 on all prereqs so far). *cross fingers*

Basically, it depends on the MSN program. A big factor is your GRE score. If you scored well, you're a shoo-in for most MSN programs. If not, the RN-BSN route is pretty fast and simple when done online. The RN-BSN bridge usually 12 months, and can even be faster/cheaper since you have many liberal arts credits that can be transferred. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though

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Hey Julie_0507,

I hope you get an answer soon. I am in the same situation. I have a BS, a MS (both unrelated to nursing) and I'm currently enrolled in an Associates nursing program. My ultimate goal is to earn the DNP to practice as an APN.

However, my delimma comes into play when I read job postings that require a MSN for an APN position. It seems like employers want candidates to have a BSN & a MSN. It appears as if they have a problem with those who may have gone from ADN to MSN (without first getting the BSN). Is this true???

I don't have a problem getting a BSN if it's absolutely necessary, however I don't see how I would be less prepared if I just went from ADN to MSN. Truth be told...nursing leadership, community nursing and nursing research courses from the Bachelor level are all built into the front portion of ADN to MSN programs. So why do I need the BSN?

Also, if DNPs will soon be required to practice as an APN, then shouldn't the real path for me look something like this...ADN (then if possible in my geographical location, work as an RN to gain experience), get the MSN (then practice as an APN) and then get the DNP to secure my future?

But like I said, it seems like some employers will frown upon me when applying for an APN position b/c I wouldn't have my BSN.

This is all so confusing.

At the end of the day, I guess I should just focus on getting through nursing school! But I'm a planner, so here I am. :(

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So_good124: I agree. The tuition is crazy for some accelerated programs. I'm fortunate to live close by a college that offers the ADN at a reasonable price. I really don't have the resources to relocate right now. And a college that's about an hour away that offers an accelerated BSN requires prerequisites that I don't have.

Funny you mention TX. I've been looking into schools there but it might be a no-go because my husband is against moving there. He'd rather live in AZ or CA but I'm not so sure. I've heard the cost of living is outrageous in CA.

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I've read that a lot of nursing graduate schools do not require the GRE. I wouldn't be against taking it though. I should have already taken it. I was planning to go to grad school for psychology, until I found out I was pregnant :)

I will consider getting a BSN though. It would probably broaden my career and grad school opportunities. Not all grad schools have accelerated MSN programs, unfortunately.

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cocoisis: I'm not sure if a BSN is absolutely necessary. I have the same question. It seems like it wouldn't be if you get a MSN. But I've seen quite a few MSN programs that award the BSN upon completion of its requirements. You might want to look into those. I will be doing that as well. In any case if you already have a BS it should be rather quick to get the BSN since you probably have a lot of the requirements done.

I'm thinking about becoming a nurse researcher. I think that's what I would really enjoy. As an undergrad in psychology I conducted quite a few small experiments and then my senior year I conducted a large experiment from scratch, so I am pretty comfortable with the research process. I don't think being a nurse researcher involves directly writing the research papers (which would be okay because they are so tedious; I could totally live without them). But I think the idea of being involved in the process of discovering cutting-edge techniques sounds pretty awesome. How to go about it though?

At the same time a psychiatric NP sounds like an interesting career and good fit for me, based on my background. Of course I would have to get a DNP.

I'm a planner, as well, which is why when things don't go as planned I feel like the ground has opened up beneath my feet--or that I'm lost in a deep, dark forest. Analogies aside, I wish that I could just figure it out

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Thanks for the responses, everyone. I've been MIA, I know. I've been finishing up my first semester of nursing school. It was rough but I made it. I appreciate everyone's responses. I've realized these are difficult decisions for us all.

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Always thought about this but never seen anyone actually take this route. I am in the same situation got a BA and doing ADN now. Very likely I'll be accepted to clinicals at this time (4.0 on all prereqs so far). *cross fingers* Basically, it depends on the MSN program. A big factor is your GRE score. If you scored well, you're a shoo-in for most MSN programs. If not, the RN-BSN route is pretty fast and simple when done online. The RN-BSN bridge usually 12 months, and can even be faster/cheaper since you have many liberal arts credits that can be transferred. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though[/quote']

I live in NW Ohio and here, the GRE isn't required unless your undergrad GPA is below a 3.0.

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I was in the same dilemma. I have now enrolled in Excelsior Colleges MSN. NO BSN needed or awarded. No crossing a bridge (useless bridge classes) either. I'm straight in the MSN program with my BA and Associates in Nursing. Best decision I've ever made!!!! At least one of them.

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Akanini: That's great! That sounds like something I could do. What's your concentration? I see there's informatics, education, and clinical systems management.

I guess I have a while to think about it and research it, but I am really leaning towards becoming a research nurse, at the Ph.D. level. I think I will have to get a BSN to pursue that.

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I was thinking about Education but I'm really leaning towards Informatics now. The first 5 classes are the same for both concentrations and I just did 3 of them. Classes start again on Jan 6th and then March 3rd. Some classes are 8 weeks and some are 15. I put this off way too long and I'm sorry I did. I honestly don't have money to pay for a BSN and then an MSN. I've wasted too much time in my life at this point and just want to get this MSN over with.

Julie, you can get the MSN from EC and then get a PhD maybe (John Hopkins University) after that for research. Clinical Systems might be a great choice for you at EC!

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