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!
Well 1st, you can't obtain a Master's degree without first obtaining a Bachelor's degree. You would either have to first obtain a bachelor's degree, or enroll into a Master's program that confers a BS along the way by including coursework from a BS into the Master's program. Though you do have a bachelor's in another field so that might be a different situation. That may cover you, but I'm not sure. If it were me, I am the kind of person to go all the way to the top. Therefore, I would do the accelerated Master's program, and then go through the DNP program. The only reason I would support getting a BS first is that it is faster and having a BS allows you more opportunity for promotion and management positions. However, perhaps it is the same time-frame doing an accelerated MS program since you get the BS along the way. I don't know. I am not that familiar with the accelerated MS. It may be irrelevant anyway. I say that because if you are wanting to be a nurse practitioner, you will be required to obtain a DNP starting in 2015.
The OP said she has a Bachelors degree already and she's interested in research. This is why I made the suggestions that I made. She didn't say she wanted to be an NP.
med-stallion: I've considered becoming an NP but I'm not sure that's what I want to do. I'm aware I would have to get a DNP to become an NP, to become any APRN for that matter. I'm just not sure. I think I would be more comfortable with research. I would need a Ph.D. to go all the way to the top with that.
And you can get a MSN without having a BSN, without having a Bachelor's of any kind actually. These programs are usually expensive and do not necessarily award the BSN along the way.
I am considering a BSN. I am young (24) and will probably work for a bit in an ICU as an RN before doing something more advanced. I need a paycheck; I have a 10 month old baby. I just didn't know if after I get my ADN if I should go for the BSN and then Ph.D./DNP (without getting the MSN) or if I should go straight to the MSN and then Ph.D./DNP. It's starting to look like I should get the BSN to best maximize my opportunities.
Akanini: I'm like you. I'm limited on funds. I'm approaching the limit on my undergraduate federal loans so I'm hesitant to take out more money for a BSN. I'm looking into scholarships. There's a college nearby that wouldn't be too much more to get a BSN. It's online, too, so I could work while getting it. I definitely don't want limited opportunities and I know how the BSN is becoming the minimum requirement for RNs. I checked out EC and I could see it working for me. If I could do that and go straight into a Ph.D. program for research I think that would be the quickest route.
By the way, what exactly is informatics? Is it kind of like computer science? If so, I might be interested.
are_you_a_llama: You're right about the RN-BSN route. I looked into a program that's offered at a college nearby and the only required class that I don't have is Nutrition, which I could probably pick up while I'm in the ADN program. Other than that it's all just nursing courses. Would be an extra ~$7k for me. Not sure if I should do that or just go into an accelerated MSN program, like akanini suggested. Decisions, decisions!
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
The BSN is a waste of time in your situation. You can earn an MSN without a BSN. There really aren't any "accelerated" MSN programs I am aware of. The regular, plan 'ol MSN programs are about 3 semesters (36 credits). Lots of people do them in a year to a year and a half. How fast would an "accelerated" program have to be?
It will take you almost the same amount of time to get a BSN as an MSN so why bother with the BSN?
Almost all of my area healthcare employers are going to require a BSN. They are only giving a "pass" to current employees. However, while you may get a temporary pass, you must then either get your BSN with in 5 years, OR become specialized in your area of practice.
I say get your BSN just for employ-ability options.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Almost all of my area healthcare employers are going to require a BSN. They are only giving a "pass" to current employees. However, while you may get a temporary pass, you must then either get your BSN with in 5 years, OR become specialized in your area of practice.
I would guess that isn't really true. I would be willing to bet that all those employers who are misguidedly requiring a BSN would be just fine with an MSN instead.
Really? Are you sure? Wow. I wasn't aware that you could skip degrees like that. That is new to me. I was pretty sure that at the least, you would have to do coursework from the BSN that is integrated into the MSN program. For every program that I have looked at that awards an MSN without a previous BSN, one is required to do some kind of extra work. Please list programs you all know of that allows one to acquire an MSN without doing any coursework of a BSN. Thanks!
Really? Are you sure? Wow. I wasn't aware that you could skip degrees like that. That is new to me. I was pretty sure that at the least, you would have to do coursework from the BSN that is integrated into the MSN program. I guess not.
Well I'm assuming that most of the courses for the RN to bsn bridge are liberal arts anyway if I'm not mistaken, give or take a few nursing theory classes. I don't think there are clinicals since this path can be done completely online. So logically if you already possess a bachelors, you should've completed most of the courses already. This is probably why you can go straight for your masters after your associates.
But I'm also curious if all MSN programs will accept you without a bsn or certain programs? I was personally hoping I could go straight for family nurse practitioner. Anyone can chime in?
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Really? Are you sure? Wow. I wasn't aware that you could skip degrees like that.
It's actually very common with many programs offering RN to MSN.
That is new to me. I was pretty sure that at the least, you would have to do coursework from the BSN that is integrated into the MSN program. For every program that I have looked at that awards an MSN without a previous BSN, one is required to do some kind of extra work. Please list programs you all know of that allows one to acquire an MSN without doing any coursework of a BSN. Thanks!
Most require some bridge courses. This varies between school between 10-30 units. There is however no requirement to have a BSN, or any other bachelors degree, nor is one earned along the way.
American Sentinel University, University of Arizona, Walden University, Frontier School of nursing are among the many schools that offer it.
med-stallion
11 Posts
Hello,
Well 1st, you can't obtain a Master's degree without first obtaining a Bachelor's degree. You would either have to first obtain a bachelor's degree, or enroll into a Master's program that confers a BS along the way by including coursework from a BS into the Master's program. Though you do have a bachelor's in another field so that might be a different situation. That may cover you, but I'm not sure. If it were me, I am the kind of person to go all the way to the top. Therefore, I would do the accelerated Master's program, and then go through the DNP program. The only reason I would support getting a BS first is that it is faster and having a BS allows you more opportunity for promotion and management positions. However, perhaps it is the same time-frame doing an accelerated MS program since you get the BS along the way. I don't know. I am not that familiar with the accelerated MS. It may be irrelevant anyway. I say that because if you are wanting to be a nurse practitioner, you will be required to obtain a DNP starting in 2015.