BSN to MSW

nohika · Jul 23, 2011

I'm not an RN, but I work with a bunch of MSWs and am thinking of pursuing one myself. It all depends on what you want to do - if you want to do therapy, MSW (LCSW) is kind of the best thing short of going for a Psy.D/PhD in Psych. There are mental health NPs, but I'm not sure if they're trained for therapy like MSWs are?

There are part-time MSW programs out there, least on the west coast I know of a couple, so it's theoretic that you could do one while working as a nurse, but a lot of them involve tons of clinical time (the whole second year in a full-time program is mostly clinical) and it's often unpredictable and you'd have to work it around school and whatnot. So.

AnxiousRNtobe · Jul 23, 2011

I have an MSW and am going back to school to be a PA. I'd say that the answer to your question depends on your goal: do you want to do therapy (which could be done with MSW or PsyD/PhD as Nohika suggested)? Do you want to work on a psychiatric unit (which you could do as an RN or an MSW but in different capacities)? Would you want to go on for your MSN as a psychiatric NP (which would allow you to prescribe medications but I'm not sure what kind of training they get to provide therapy). In hospitals, RNs and MSWs make about the same amount of money, MSWs often have better hours and working conditions (no lifting, turning, cleaning, etc.). What attracts you to each?

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

I am a BASW and an LVN--graduating in a year with my BSN. First you need to be aware is the nursing program is nothing like the social work program. We are talking about a science degree versus a Bachelor's of arts degree.

What I hear is you are on the fence as to whether you want to pursue an LCSW or MSW versus a BSW or masters in nursing. Be aware, once you graduate with your bachelor's degree, you will no longer be eligible for fee waivers, etc. You may be eligible for scholarships and definitely student loans.

To transfer to the nursing program, whether it is in the non-nursing 2nd degree nursing program or a regular ADN or BSN program, you must have all your prerequisites. The accelerated masters program designed for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree is even more rigorous than regular nursing school. Not only will you have to obtain your RN degree, but you will probably be doing this at an accelerted rate. I read a post that one student had 7 week courses; that is fast. Many ADN or BSN are 10-12 weeks.

Have you ever considered getting your masters in health care admin rather than in nursing? Instead of working on the floor you would be in administration (hospital, skilled nursing facility, long term care, or assisted living...there is always a need). Nevertheless, you have some decisions to make. Best to you.

resilientnurse · Jul 23, 2011

To offer my two cents, I would suggest a BSN and then a MSN NP Psychiatric-Mental Health Program. You'd get paid more for it and be much more marketable.

Lina Marie · Jul 23, 2011

I guess to clarify, I want to go ahead and stay an extra year to get my pre-reqs done then apply to an ASD Nursing Program. However, I'm still gonna apply to an MSW Program this fall (as backup or in case I change my mind). So I would do one or the other, not both necessarily--it's just after doing some reading, I found it interesting that many people have both a BSN and MSW. As well as SW's who have switched to nursing and vice versa. Although, eventually doing psychiatric nursing would be interesting. My cousin is a PICU Nurse right now, and about to go back to school for to be an NP. She said the thing she loves the most about nursing is the counseling side of it.

nohika · Jul 23, 2011

She said the thing she loves the most about nursing is the counseling side of it.

Well, okay. There's counseling patients on therapies, etc, and then there's mental health counseling. I really doubt a nursing program trains you to provide mental health therapies to patients. I don't /think/ mental health NPs are really taught the therapy side - I think their focus is mostly on medication, etc, but I'm not 100% sure.

Yes, there's some counseling in nursing, but not nearly as much as there used to be - no time to spend with the patients, and you really don't have the extensive psych background that, say, an MSW/LCSW or even an MFT (Marriage and Family therapy) degree would give you, not with a nursing degree. At least IMHO.

mzzz · Jul 23, 2011

is there a high demand for MSW?? how much do MSW make?

greygooseuria · Jul 24, 2011

Just gonna come in and negate everything everyone here has said.

I once debated doing an MSW or going and getting my BSN. Needless to say, I decided to not attend an MSW program I had been accepted to with a full ride and go and do an accelerated BSN program. Best choice ever. Nurses make more than MSWs and I find my job extremely emotionally rewarding. I am currently becoming an FNP (family nurse practitioner).

The best route for you sounds like a psych/mental health NP. You can do a direct entry MSN program and get your BSN done and move right on to your MSN. Psych NPs do LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of therapy and the majority of your program will be spent LEARNING HOW TO DO THERAPY. I don't get how nobody here has never heard of this. The psych NP program at my school is all focused on that PLUS managing psych meds. So yes, as a psych NP you will learn how to do therapy and you will be BETTER than a social worker because you can prescribe meds. They are in HIGH demand and you'll be making high 80s/90s if not 6 figures as a new grad (based on what grads at my school start out at). Good luck!

Lina Marie · Jul 25, 2011

I once debated doing an MSW or going and getting my BSN. \

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I was beginning to think something was wrong with the fact that I'm about to graduate and suddenly second-guessing the future.

I really enjoyed all of the advice you gave me, it's made me feel more at ease with this. The psych NP does sound very interesting! However, do NPs still do bedside care or what exactly do their duties entail that are different than RNs? Also, is it better to work as an RN for a few years before doing an MSN program or it doesn't matter either way?

Thanks!