BSN or MSN

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.

I will graduate next May with my ADN and want to continue my education. I am looking at either getting my BSN and then MSN or just go all for my MSN. The only question I have is. It is a general MSN degree I do NOT want to become a NP at this point (might someday but not anytime soon) but I really do want as MUCH education as I can get. What kind of jobs are there for nurses with thier MSN?? I like bedside nursing but I am still young (25 when I graduate) and know I will NOT want to do that for the rest of my life I really would like to work my way up to Charge Nurse, Unit Director and then Nurse Educator over the years. But I also wanted to know what kind of jobs you can get with your general MSN?? Would you suggest go straight for the MSN (less time) or go BSN work and then go back for MSN? Thanks!

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Specializes in Adult SICU; open heart recovery.

Here's what I'm doing. I got my ASN in May 04, then got into an accelerated RN-MS program, and started classes Jan 05. As of last night, I have finished my BSN :balloons: The nice thing about the accelerated program at my school is that you get to skip 3 undergrad courses and count 3 of the grad courses toward your BSN, so I simultaneously finished my BSN and did my first 10 MS credits this summer.

I didn't really know which program I wanted, so I just picked the one that seemed most interesting to me, having been told that I could change programs later. You might look into doing that (making sure your school allows you to switch, of course). I think it's really smart to keep going. In the year or two it takes you to get your BSN, you probably will have developed a better sense of what you want to do. If nothing still appeals to you, you could try to get a general nursing MS (depending on the school). That way, if you decide to do something else later on, you'll have an MS out of the way, and can do a post-grad certificate program.

Just my thoughts :) Good luck!

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I have not input, im just reading. But i wanted to say

Comgrats on getting your BSN HillaryC

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.

congrats on the BSN!! I think I am going to do exactly what you did except my school does NOT award a BSN sperately. You can always revert down to a BSN if the MSN classes are too much and you havent lost anything (the MSN classes will count as the BSN classes) and by the time I get that much done I should have a better feel for what I want to do!! Thanks so much for your input!! How much longer till you get your MSN?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

My online MSN program required a BSN first. You can look at the UNM website, they list all the different tracks for MSNs.

Go to UNM.edu, select HSC, then College of Nursing, and masters programs.

Congrats!:balloons: :biggringi :balloons:

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