BSN to MSN---I'm not sure what to do

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2008

Well, it looks like you have a couple of options. Since I don't know you personally, I can give you some honest suggestions and hope that something sounds good to you.

But first, I have a couple of questions. Is this BSN program combined with the MSN? That's what it sounds like to me. Is the MSN portion really an additional $40-50K on top of your current $80K? Is the MSN a specialty program or do you get a general MSN degree and would have to continue on with your education in order to earn an NP, CNS, etc. degree?

The thing is, I see how much money you've spent on your education so far, and wonder if you'll earn a comparable salary once completely finished. You see, it's like taking on a loan of $120K to earn a salary of $65K. Does it make much sense to do that? I'm all about getting your master's degree but you're spending an awful lot of cash as an investment in a field that won't pay you hardly enough to pay that loan off and survive. What will your monthly payments be? I have only $45K and the monthly payment is $270. With the loan amount you have you could have gone to medical school! But at least with that you'd earn a decent salary in order to pay it off.

What are the chances of attending the MSN portion part-time while you worked part-time to start saving money for the future? You'd get some good experience that would help you know what direction to go in after graduation. Are there any hospitals willing to pay for part of your education? My hospital pays for about half of my master's program and I also manage to squeeze in a scholarship every year as well.

Lastly, do you know 100% that this is the direction you want to go in? Without even working as a nurse you can't really form a good opinion of the field, IMO. As a bedside nurse in the ICU I come across all disciplines in health care and have a fairly good idea of what I'm getting myself into. This is separate from my clinicals, which focus on Family Practice and definitely not something I want to do now. However, if all I knew about being an NP came from clinicals, I would probably drop out altogether and find another career. Heh.

Why don't you want to work as an NP after graduating? You'd be taking a step backwards in both experience and salary if you went to work as a bedside nurse. You could easily accomplish your goal of ICU nursing right now. Plus, you would have some money in the bank to help you sustain living expenses after you're all done with the MSN portion of the program.

In all honesty, if the education didn't cost so darn much I'd tell you to keep going even though nothing beats RN experience for a future NP. But with the debt load you're taking on, I'd be terrified to have no job security, no experience, and a big monthly payment waiting for me at the end of the day. Almost all of my student loans come from my first undergrad degree that had nothing to do with nursing. I regret taking on such a lot of debt when there were so many other options out there. It's hard hearing about others doing the same.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do. Nursing is a great field despite the ups and downs that come with it. I can't wait to graduate and start my new career as a FNP. I hope you end up feeling the same!

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2008

Sorry for such a long post. I hope I didn't come across as preachy or anything. :bugeyes:

Trauma Columnist · Feb 18, 2008

Nope Yellow Finch - I liked your post - very informative and helpful. Thank you.

Miss Mab · Feb 18, 2008

To the OP: I am torn in your situation. I would initially suggest to get out there and work and make sure you are making the right choice as far as your MSN focus and to also then be in a position to take advantage of tuition reimbursements.

However, I also have concerns that you might, as I did, get out there and find your, um 'fervor' for nursing, start to peter out and then not have the initiative at that time to continue schooling. That's where I am now and it's a real downer.

So, it's a tough call. I wish you the best whatever you decide.... :)

caribqueen12 · Feb 19, 2008

Thank both of you for your responses, and nope yellowfinch, it's okay, I want as much feedback as possible.

I give you a little bit more about my dilemma.

I am currently in an accelerated nursing program---this is my 2.5 degree (I was in grad school for a semester after taking a year off upon graduating).

The truth is, I was pre-med, applied to medical school and just did not get in. I've accumulated maybe about $5,000 trying to go to med school. I even planned that after finishing nursing school I would try to apply again but I just don't have the energy for it and being in nursing school has made me realize how much I dislike studying. I also feel that I've spent the last 10 years in classrooms and I have not had the opportunity to put what I've learned into practice. My previous degree was in Public Health.

I know I'm a newbie but I do enjoy the caring aspect of nursing and some days I feel I'm making just as much of a difference. I am pretty set on the family practice arnp because I've worked in a clinic and although the pay isn't the greatest there are gov't repayment options and I like the hours. I am not a fan of the 12 hour bit. I also want to be more instrumental in disease prevention.

I wanted to work ICU because it is such a great learning experience--I precept in the ICU now and although it's so much--I think it is nursing at its best.

I simply want to get over with school while I still have the enthusiasm to do so, because I fear that I'll go out work and get comfortable and then find it hard to return.

Truthfully, I wish I had done nursing to start (Mothers do know best), I've made quite a bit of mistakes and wrong turns and most definitely have had to pay but I do feel like I'm taking a step forward now.

caribqueen12 · Feb 19, 2008

I'm in a direct entry program so after I finish the BSN then onto MSN. I've asked about going part-time and taking a year off. They'll hold my admission for one year but they don't encourage the part-time. If anything I could do the first semester full time, since it's the most difficult and then work the remaining semesters (It's only 3 more semesters after the BSN).

PackMule · Feb 28, 2008

In short: You should wait

You are young, a great advantage. If I were in your position, I would hold off on grad school and see about finding a full time job that may have some type of loan repayment as an incentive for signing on for a certain term. Also, they would probably have some type of tuition assistance which you could take advantage of later.

I sound like Susie Orman here (the finiancial lady) but you have got to get your debt gone first. Really having some time "just working" is good for solidifying all that you have absorbed and taking the time to seeing what your next step might be. In the process you could take advantage of some pretty hot new hire offers.

I don't think your list of reasons for continuing offset going into further debt. It just doesn't make sense to do that, particularly, as was mentioned about, the salary you would receive for all that debt. You may love your job enough and not want to go back to school and that is OK. Better that than getting a degree that you feel you have to work up to........

Keep us posted!

ChocoCakeRN · Apr 4, 2008

great advice here.

i am also in the same situation as OP. I haven't even started my BSN program yet, but was offered the chance to go into MSN once i finish my BSN. (I am starting an accelerated BSN program and will finish BSN in 12.5 months.)

Not sure if i'm ready for a master's yet either. Especially since I realize that there is so much diversity in nursing, choosing a master's specialty sounds too certain as of now. I know eventually I will want to go back and get a MSN.

I just hope that I am not passing up this offer of getting an NP. I can always go back to school 3-4 years later down the road and get a MSN right? I don't have to rush it at this point in my life (I'm 24).

Any more feedback or advice would be appreciated from NPss or RNs. Thanks!!

caribqueen12 · May 14, 2008

A resolution, after much debate and deliberation, I've decided to go ahead and complete the Master's portion. I am already familiar with the institution and although I won't have much experience under my belt, I think I will be just fine. The most important thing for me is that I will have the support of my family and I know I have the energy to do it. I am concerned about the loans but the economy is going bad---interest rates are being cut and I've discovered that there are ways to have the loans reimbursed.

The most I can recommend to anyone in a similar predicament is to trust your instinct and to have the support of those around you. Good luck!

caribqueen12 · May 14, 2008

I will definitely keep you guys posted on how things turn out and the resources I've used.

Thank you for your responses.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 14, 2008

Good luck, caribqueen12. I'm sure you will do fine!!!!!