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!
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
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.
Actually you don't a bachelors degree in anything to earn an masters in nursing. Think about it, they don't make everybody who want to earn a bachelors degree first earn an associates degree do they? You don't need to first earn a MSN to earn a DNP.
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?
By no means all. Only certain programs are progressive and forward thinking. Some are still mired in the past and no exactly up on their EBP.
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.
As already noted, the "BSN required" part isn't necessarily true. There are programs that will take people directly from an ADN. Second, you don't have to get an MSN before going into a doctoral program; there are PhD and dnp programs that take people with a baccalaureate degree. Most of the DNP programs are currently set up for people who already have MSNs because there is a large population of those people already "out there," but the long-term goal is to have the DNP programs replace the current MSN programs and just have people go directly from baccalaureate programs to doctoral programs (this is the norm in other disciplines -- none of my friends in other disciplines have Masters'; they went directly from undergrad to doctorate). And last (for the kazillionth time), the DNP will not be required in 2015. The nurse practitioner community hasn't embraced the DNP requirement at all; the only advanced practice group that has embraced it is the CRNAs, and their target date is 2025, not 2015. There are, so far, no other plans by anyone to require a DNP for advanced practice. Enough schools are converting their programs that it may become a moot point in many parts of the country, but that's still a long way from a requirement.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
And last (for the kazillionth time), the DNP will not be required in 2015. The nurse practitioner community hasn't embraced the DNP requirement at all; the only advanced practice group that has embraced it is the CRNAs, and their target date is 2025, not 2015. There are, so far, no other plans by anyone to require a DNP for advanced practice.
Oooh I missed that part of the post. It's crazy how these myths get started and will NEVER die!
A DNP will be required for NPs by 2015.
Magnet Hospitals only hire BSN RNs.
You can't get a masters degree without first having a bachelors degree.
PMFB-RN: These are helpful comments. Which do you think would be faster given I have a BA in another field: BSN-->Doctorate or MSN-->Doctorate. I'm using "doctorate" because I may actually want to get a Ph.D. rather than a DNP; I've been looking into becoming a research nurse. I also have to think about cost. I've heard that RN-MSN programs are often more expensive than BSN-MSN programs.
Then can I just go straight into a Ph.D. program given I have a BA in another field (and I will have an ADN)? That would be the best for me, I think. I am ready for graduate school. I haven't seen any programs like that. It seems like they always stress having a BSN at least.
If that's possible, what are your thoughts about going straight into a doctoral program immediately after completing my ADN?
akanini - That's awesome! Did you get advice from an academic advisor or talk to any hiring managers before you made the decision to go straight for your MSN? I mean, it sounds logical to go straight for the MSN if you are an RN with a BA/BS. That's why I'm confused when I see job postings that require a MSN, asking for a BSN & MSN. Do you think you will encounter any issues when applying for advanced work? Good luck with the program and thanks for your input!
As already noted, the "BSN required" part isn't necessarily true. There are programs that will take people directly from an ADN. Second, you don't have to get an MSN before going into a doctoral program; there are PhD and DNP programs that take people with a baccalaureate degree. Most of the DNP programs are currently set up for people who already have MSNs because there is a large population of those people already "out there," but the long-term goal is to have the DNP programs replace the current MSN programs and just have people go directly from baccalaureate programs to doctoral programs (this is the norm in other disciplines -- none of my friends in other disciplines have Masters'; they went directly from undergrad to doctorate). And last (for the kazillionth time), the DNP will not be required in 2015. The nurse practitioner community hasn't embraced the DNP requirement at all; the only advanced practice group that has embraced it is the CRNAs, and their target date is 2025, not 2015. There are, so far, no other plans by anyone to require a DNP for advanced practice. Enough schools are converting their programs that it may become a moot point in many parts of the country, but that's still a long way from a requirement.
Yes, I made a mistake by saying that one who doesn't have a BS will either have to first obtain one or they will obtain it whilst in the MSN program. You are right, that isn't necessarily true. However, I said in another post that you at least have to complete some coursework from a BSN-like curriculum. I have yet to see a program that says otherwise.
You mentioned the DNP being not true for 2015. However the AACN says differently:
On October 25, 2004, the members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed thePosition Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from the master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015.
Here is the link to the page: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Frequently Asked QuestionsI am unsure of where you are receiving your information. Please explain your reasoning in more detail and/or provide a link to where your information is coming from (if you don't mind). Thanks.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Yes, I made a mistake by saying that one who doesn't have a BS will either have to first obtain one or they will obtain it whilst in the MSN program. You are right, that isn't necessarily true. However, I said in another post that you at least have to complete some coursework from a BSN-like curriculum. I have yet to see a program that says otherwise.
You mentioned the DNP being not true for 2015. However the AACN says differently:
On October 25, 2004, the members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed thePosition Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from the master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015.
Here is the link to the page: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Frequently Asked QuestionsI am unsure of where you are receiving your information. Please explain your reasoning in more detail and/or provide a link to where your information is coming from (if you don't mind). Thanks.
What you are missing is that the AACN can endorse, recommend, hold their breath until they turn blue and pass out or whatever they want but they are NOT the ones who get to decide what the education level for NPs, or anyone else is.
The AACN has taken a position, that is they have stated their opinion. They are influential, but not a regulatory agency.
akanini - That's awesome! Did you get advice from an academic advisor or talk to any hiring managers before you made the decision to go straight for your MSN? I mean, it sounds logical to go straight for the MSN if you are an RN with a BA/BS. That's why I'm confused when I see job postings that require a MSN, asking for a BSN & MSN. Do you think you will encounter any issues when applying for advanced work? Good luck with the program and thanks for your input!
Excelsior College AND Gozanga university are the ONLY 2 online schools that would take me without doing a Bridge program OR without Awarding a BSN. I researched on my own for a long time. No advisement. When I'm done with this MSN program, I doubt I will move further. I'm so tired of school. However, I say that all the time. I've made up my mind that if an employer has an issue with me having an MSN without a BSN, maybe they aren't worth working for. I have a BA already so I don't see the big deal.
Yes, I made a mistake by saying that one who doesn't have a BS will either have to first obtain one or they will obtain it whilst in the MSN program. You are right, that isn't necessarily true. However, I said in another post that you at least have to complete some coursework from a BSN-like curriculum. I have yet to see a program that says otherwise.
You mentioned the DNP being not true for 2015. However the AACN says differently:
On October 25, 2004, the members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed thePosition Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from the master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015.
Here is the link to the page: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Frequently Asked QuestionsI am unsure of where you are receiving your information. Please explain your reasoning in more detail and/or provide a link to where your information is coming from (if you don't mind). Thanks.
PMFB is correct -- the AACN is a voluntary professional organization of instutions of higher learning in nursing. They can take positions on various topics until the cows come home, but they have no statutory or regulatory ability -- heck, they can't even force their own members to do anything (the last numbers I saw, a few years ago, only 75% of the AACN member school were planning on switching their MSN advanced practice programs to DNPs; I don't know if they've bullied the other schools into falling in line since then).
The national certification boards for the different advanced practice groups certify advanced practice nurses and the individual states license them. That's what counts. No state has yet said anything about requiring a DNP for licensure as an advanced practice nurse, and, as I said, the only certification board that has taken a position is the CRNA group, and their date is 2025, not 2015.
PMFB is correct -- the AACN is a voluntary professional organization of instutions of higher learning in nursing. They can take positions on various topics until the cows come home, but they have no statutory or regulatory ability -- heck, they can't even force their own members to do anything (the last numbers I saw, a few years ago, only 75% of the AACN member school were planning on switching their MSN advanced practice programs to DNPs; I don't know if they've bullied the other schools into falling in line since then).
The national certification boards for the different advanced practice groups certify advanced practice nurses and the individual states license them. That's what counts. No state has yet said anything about requiring a DNP for licensure as an advanced practice nurse, and, as I said, the only certification board that has taken a position is the CRNA group, and their date is 2025, not 2015.
PMFB-RN, RN
5,351 Posts
Actually you don't a bachelors degree in anything to earn an masters in nursing. Think about it, they don't make everybody who want to earn a bachelors degree first earn an associates degree do they? You don't need to first earn a MSN to earn a DNP.
By no means all. Only certain programs are progressive and forward thinking. Some are still mired in the past and no exactly up on their EBP.