BSN or entry-level MSN?

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I am looking into nursing programs around CA. What interests me is he UCLA MECN program, however, 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. Particularly one that is hard to get into...do you think they would hire someone with a BSN over someone with an MSN?

Thanks.

Specializes in ICU.

Do whatever you want. The degree to be an RN is an associates degree and passing the NCLEX exam and whatever other requirements the state might have. There is no hinderence to having an MSN in being hired, but there is no advantage either. A nurse with no experience is a nurse with no experience, and what you will find in the real world of nursing is that experience is what counts.

Having said that, if a person already has a bachelors and wants to be a nurse and has the time and money, why not get an MSN? At least they will have the degree when the time comes to either be a nurse manager (which they would have to threaten me with death in order to entice me to be one) or a nursing school teacher (which might be ok except for the ridiculous cut in pay).

But this is what I have learned really counts in the nursing world: ICU experience, ACLS, BLS, and maybe PALS. CCRN is about useless, BSN helps only very rarely. Good references, and a willingness to work nights and weekends.

I realize some may dream of the day when they get to be a manager and don't have to take patients anymore, but then why be a nurse?

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