BSN or entry-level MSN?

czyja, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

I wanted to know if having a entry level MSN over a BSN would hurt my chances of getting a RN job in a hospital.

I very much doubt that an MSN would be a hinderance. In the interest of full disclosure, I attend a direct entry MSN program.

I would apply broadly, then go where you feel you will get the best education for you. Direct entry programs are very fast paced. They are not for everybody.

kcalohagirl · Nov 10, 2008

I wouldn't necessarily say that having an MSN would be a hindrance.

However, you may run into situations where they would say you are "overeducated" for the job you are applying for.

In my experience, candidates with MSNs are generally considered for more "management"-type positions, and are more likely to achieve those positions with time "in the trenches", as it were.

Not to say that achieving an MSN will not serve you well. I think that continued education is always a plus. It just may not be the deciding factor in the initial levels.

sewnew · Nov 10, 2008

Don't think that having a MSN should be a problem when it comes to applying for jobs. I am actually planning to apply to a direct entry MSN program within the next year. I went to the program's open house, and the admissions director said that basically the same type of job opportunites are available for a new grad with a MSN as with a new grad with a BSN. The same jobs would take a new grad whether the applicant had the BSN or MSN. At least that's the outlook on the RN job market out here on the East Coast. Don't know what it's like in CA.

plowboy911 · Nov 10, 2008

I am curious why you want to get an MSN now, without experience? Like most masters degrees I believe you are best served by gaining some experience and then working towards an advanced degree. But what do i know...

Music in My Heart · Nov 10, 2008

I, too, am in a DEMSN program. Every graduate from the prior classes found a job right away (as new-grad staff nurses) so I don't think it's a hindrance.

sewnew · Nov 10, 2008

I am curious why you want to get an MSN now, without experience? Like most masters degrees I believe you are best served by gaining some experience and then working towards an advanced degree. But what do i know...

Direct entry MSN degrees are not degrees in a specific specialty (i.e. NP, CNS). Rather, they are a generalized nursing degree at the master's level.

At Univ. of MD (the program which I am hoping to apply to) the degree is called a MSN/CNL (clinical nurse leader). This type of degree is fairly new, but the idea of it is to give people a chance to already enter the nursing field with a master's if they already have a bachelor's degree in another field. The reason behind this is so that the career transition will be made easier, and the applicant does not have to go through getting a second bachelor's degree. Therefore there is less of a deterrence for the potential nurse (keep in mind that we have a nursing shortage). From what I understand, the direct entry MSN programs are slowly replacing the direct entry BSN programs. Just makes more sense for the potential nurse.

Sorry this was so long-winded, but I hope this gave you some clarification.

plowboy911 · Nov 11, 2008

Interesting. Will you work as a masters prepared nurse (NP) out of the gate or an entry-level nurse? And how is supply/demand?

Music in My Heart · Nov 11, 2008

Interesting. Will you work as a masters prepared nurse (NP) out of the gate or an entry-level nurse? And how is supply/demand?

Entry-level, of course, just as any newly licensed nurse would. Supply is relatively low. Demand, based on the observations of the previous graduating classes, is simply whatever demand exists for new-grad nurses. The previous graduates in our program have competed very well for jobs.

...masters prepared nurse (NP)...

Many masters-prepared nurses are not NPs.

sewnew · Nov 11, 2008

Interesting. Will you work as a masters prepared nurse (NP) out of the gate or an entry-level nurse? quote]
Like "music in my heart" said, you would have no choice but to work as an entry-level nurse as a new nursing graduate regardless of the degree you have. That's exactly the point of the direct entry MSN programs. Like I said, the rationale for these programs is to train entry-level nurses, the only difference is that you are training them at the master's level. Then if the nurse desires, she/he can go on to further specialize as an NP or in any other area once they have some experience under their belt.
Here is a link to the AACN's website. They give a good description of the role of the CNL and about direct entry MSN programs in general.
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/WhitePapers/ClinicalNurseLeader.htm

czyja, MSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

Direct entry MSN degrees are not degrees in a specific specialty (i.e. NP, CNS). Rather, they are a generalized nursing degree at the master's level.

Errr, not really. Some DE programs (UCSF, Washington, Penn, Columbia...) provide specialty training. Others offer a generalist curriculum. Obviously the program one chooses should be aligned with ones career goals.

sewnew · Nov 12, 2008

Errr, not really. Some DE programs (UCSF, Washington, Penn, Columbia...) provide specialty training. Others offer a generalist curriculum. Obviously the program one chooses should be aligned with ones career goals.

Yes that is correct, some programs offer specialty training once the student has a general nursing education. One must still get that general education/experience before they can move on to specialize.

I guess the way that the nurse gets this generalized skill set varies from program to program. I know some direct entry programs require the students to take the NCLEX before they can go on to specialize, while some give the option to just continue in school and train in a specialty.

Bottom line: It would be pretty hard for a nurse to specialize if they did not have the background and knowledge in which to do so. To illustrate, how could a nurse be a NP if they don't even know how to start an IV???