BSN Obsolete?

[PMFB-RN]

I am an RN with an ADN. I have been researching my education options. CRNA school requires a BSN (or for some schools a BS). Except for applying to CRNA school I can't see any reason to get a BSN. There are numerous ADN to MSN programs out there that never award a BSN as part of their program including NP, CNS and nurse educator options. Most of these programs are 5 semesters and offered in various delivery methods including on-line. The vast majority of RN to BSN programs I have looked into are at least 4 semesters (though there are exceptions).

So if one can attain and ADN-RN in four 16 week semesters for a total cost of around $6000 as we can here in Wisconsin, then earn an online MSN in 4 or 5 semesters what is the motivation to get a BSN?

I can think of some very good reasons to get a BSN.

1. Your goal is to apply to CRNA school.

2. You already have a BS in another field an go to a one year accelerated BSN program.

3. You are just out of high school and need to whole "college experience".

4. You live in an area where the local community college has a long waiting list and relocation for school is not an option.

5. You get a full ride scholarship to a university with a BSN program. What am I missing? What other reasons are there to get BSN?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

What I am wondering is would a nurse with an MSN not be qualified for those "BSN preferred" jobs? If not then why not do RN to MSN instead on RN to BSN?

I think it depends on what you want to do with the degree. I can go RN - to - BSN on-line quickly, but it would be management, teaching, or systems. Those are not my interests. The MSN I want is as a practitioner, and the school I want doesn't have the RN to MSN option, and their BSN has a LOT of patho and pharm and requires more undergrad science that the other on-line options I've seen.

Now, if the point is just to get that advanced degree to open doors, by all means sidestep the BSN. But I don't think it's the way to go if one wants to become a practitioner.

Just MO.

[justme1972]

I'm looking at NP programs (I'm an ADN student now). The reason I am choosing to get my BSN first, is that the RN to MSN requirements are much heavier and inconsistent than if you come in BSN prepared.

Also, some of these MSN programs require you to get a certain score on the GRE's mid-program, and if you can't get "the score" during the summer, then you are dropped from the program..who wants that kind of pressure?

I would rather get my BSN, take my GRE's, and know I have the right score before I apply.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

*** I understand. What I am wondering is would a nurse with an MSN not be qualified for those "BSN preferred" jobs? If not then why not do RN to MSN instead on RN to BSN?

Well, you have a very good point there. In my case, it was a matter of convenience. The BSN program I'm in is only 1 day a week FT. The RN-MSN programs had screwy schedules, and it looked like I would only be able to skip 1 semester.