BSN or MSN? Which path to take?

CDEWannaBe · Oct 23, 2013

If you want to be a nurse, pursue the ABSN route and then get some bedside/clinical experience before you pursue a masters. Then seek your employer's help in getting the advanced degree, either a masters or going for a nurse practioner qualifications.

goddess9 · Oct 23, 2013

I guess that depends on how much schooling you want to do. ABSN will take a year to 18 months to complete. If you work, most of them will be very difficult. I know the ones here in Philly suggest that you do not work full time during the program. A direct entry MSN seems to take about 3-4 years.

Personally, I would consider the debt I'd be getting into, the time I want to dedicate to nursing, and how long I want schooling to affect my life. I could do it my way, I'd be going for an MSN via direct entry. However, money is tight. :uhoh3:

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2013

Hi there! I am also in my 40s and have a BA and an MBA so I had to go through the same thought process. At first glance, MSN makes more sense for folks like us but I decided on a BSN for the following reasons:

1. Time. I want to start working as a nurse and earn an income doing that as soon as I can. BSN programs in my area are 12-15 months. MSN - 3 years (although you can work part-time after ~ 1.5 years)

2. Cost. Most MSN programs, as least here in the NE, are offered by prestigious and, therefore, very expensive schools like Yale or Columbia.

3. Flexibility. The schools that offer MSN frequently do not grant you a BSN after 12-15 months. They lock you in for 3 years. I wanted more flexibility.

4. Experience. This is just me but I can't imagine studying to be an advanced practice nurse and choosing a specialty without having first experienced the work. I want to start working, look around, get a feel and then decide which advanced track I want to pursue.

5. Wishful thinking:) There is that hope that my employer would pick up the cost of my masters once I start working. I am not sure how likely that is in today's employers' job market, but, hey, one can always dream:)

Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision.

anichka · Oct 23, 2013

Another one to jump on board... although I am waiting to make my decision until I see where I get accepted (I will be applying to two MSN programs, two BSN, and at least one ADN).

I do think I want to be a NP, and I understand the line of thinking about experience --> go for the BSN. But don't people get experience working as an RN after the they sit the NCLEX (generally 1.5 years into the program)? Also, doesn't the ability to work balance some cost concerns? I know that where I am, you can start working as an RN after 15 months or so in the program. That is faster than a traditional BSN, probably about the same as a ABSN.

My main concern is whether it will be difficult to get a job as an RN with an MSN (and no BSN) given the preference for BSNs nowadays. It seems that the higher degree should include you in that category for getting hired, but I've read (mostly here, on allnurses.com) that it doesn't work that way.

I've asked the RNs I work with now what they would do in my shoes. The advice generally is, if I am confident that I want to end up as an NP, it would be best to take the most direct, fastest route (and skip the BSN).

Margotrita, what is your ultimate goal in nursing? Why would you want to pursue an MSN versus a BSN? I think that is really going to answer your question for you.

CDEWannaBe · Oct 23, 2013

My main concern is whether it will be difficult to get a job as an RN with an MSN (and no BSN) given the preference for BSNs nowadays. It seems that the higher degree should include you in that category for getting hired, but I've read (mostly here, on allnurses.com) that it doesn't work that way.

If you have an RN then it may make sense to go straight for a Masters.

But the question was posed by someone who had no nursing background. Some programs actually allow you to get an MSN with a non-nursing undergrad degree.

anichka · Oct 24, 2013

If you have an RN then it may make sense to go straight for a Masters.
But the question was posed by someone who had no nursing background. Some programs actually allow you to get an MSN with a non-nursing undergrad degree.

I know - the latter was what I was talking about. At least the entry-level MSN I am looking at, you sit the NCLEX after the first 15 months, get your RN, and continue with your studies part-time. Sorry if that was not clear.

maddiem · Oct 24, 2013

There are some MSN programs that are designed for people with a bachelors degree that is not in nursing. Its pretty much the same as betting and ASBN thought except the ASNB programs are at a faster pace. But both are meant for people who are going through career changes. Not sure of your location, but I'm from Chicago and there are a ton of MSN programs for people going through career changes who want to get into nursing. There are a lot of ASBN programs as well. I think that overall they are the same, but the ASBN programs may be slightly cheaper so I would go with one of those.

HammockBound · Oct 24, 2013

It is hard for me to picture because we dont have any here in S. Florida. The only option we would have is to complete a RN program through an AS Program or go for your BSN through an Accelerated OR Traditional program.

I believe what MANY people NOT going for RN/BSN fail to understand (not us in school) is that you cant have a MSW or whatever and then go into a higher program. I think in most jobs you can have a Bachelors in whatever and then go start your masters in another field ...but it isnt so with nursing. It looks odd to someone that might not understand that you would be getting an AS to become an RN even though you hold a Bachelors/or Masters already. It would appear to the person who isnt familiar with it that you are going backwards! BUT......In the world of nursing ...that is how it is. you have to go back and do the AS or BSN path first....It is wonderful that you have a BSW/MSW but you still have to go get either that AS or BSN.

I had a hard time understanding at first why my BSW didnt count...but it makes sense.

I would say it would be wise to look into an ABSN and then if you feel like continuing you can always start up a MSN program immediately. OR if you want to start working...you can start working and go back in a year or so and have your job contribute towards paying the tuition! I think I am going to try that. It is super helpful to have your MSW for job placement...in my humble opinion.

Most of my classes for prereq. had been completed. I just had to add the science classes...and you can check with whatever school you are going to and see if they allow you to CLEP the Human Growth and Dev. It is a combination of the SW classes. All theories and situations. You should have most of the other classes already completed.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Oct 26, 2013

I considered the direct entry MSN program, but decided against it. Regardless of which specialty the MSN provides, you will need experience to land the job. I don’t know with Obamacare if that will change as many more Americans will have insurance. Master’s prepared educators need at least two years of nursing experience. Nurse leaders require experience plus demonstration of progressing responsibilities as a nurse. Nurse practitioners are offered a salary based upon experience. So, once you graduate, and even though you have one or one half year of part-time nursing experience, you will be competing with NP’s with more nursing experience and/or NP experience.

I went to CVS to see an NP because of a cold I couldn’t get over. When listening to my lung sounds, she placed the stethoscope near my love handles (not exaggerating here). She was listening to my lower bases. Okay, sweetheart, the lower bases are higher than that. She went through an ABSN program. Applied to NP school while in orientation during her first nursing job, quit after being accepted because she felt she needed to devote all of her time to studies. So, she technically had a few weeks of floor experience as an RN. I asked her questions to obtain these answers. I don’t know. Maybe she had a bad day. You would also be surprised of how many nurses aren’t acclimated to S3 and S4 sounds unless they work cardiac. Even more interesting is where they place the stethoscope to listen to heart sounds. I guess what I am saying is that nursing school alone does not prepare a person for clinical. NP’s scope of practice is completely different. You are diagnosing and prescribing medications.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2013

I want beside experience before attempting a MSN (at least 2-3 years) because I just think it looks more marketable to your future employers! Plus, hospitals sometimes help pay for a masters. I want to pay my BSN loan off first:)

Margotrita · Oct 28, 2013

Thank you, so much, to everyone for their insight!

I am going to stay on course with my current goal of pursuing ABSN program. I really don't know which area of nursing I eventually want to work, so it just doesn't make sense to pursue a MSN degree at this time. Practical nursing experience seems more valuable to my circumstances as I have none.

I will keep plugging along in my prereq courses and get my ABSN application ready.