BSN vs Direct Entry MSN for Goal of NICU Nursing

[Hopeful_Future_RN_121]

Hello,

I'm a little on the older side and went back to school to earn my BS in Biology. I am about 60 credits in and have all of the BSN prereqs but two (which I can take next semester).

I volunteer in the NICU and PICU at a big children's hospital as well as a peds home hospice. I absolutely love it and think I want to be a nurse. My end goal is to be a NICU nurse.

I have two options for a nursing education: a BSN or to finish the BS in Biology and go for a direct entry MSN.

Does the direct-entry MSN have a considerable advantage over the BSN for NICU RN jobs?

Thanks!

[Hopeful_Future_RN_121]

Either way, I am planning to try my luck with NICU nurse residencies or the student nurse program sponsored by my children's hospital.

[gatornurse305, BSN, MSN]

Hi,

I’m glad you’re considering to go into nursing. I am a NICU nurse in Miami and I started as a new grad with my BSN. All nurses that start working there have either their ASN or BSN. The best way to get a NICU job is to go through a nurse residency or internship program, which is what I did.

[babyNP., APRN]

Direct entry MSN in what? There wouldn’t be much if any advantage to nurse managers. ADN vs BSN sure.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

At 60 credits, you are only half way through your BS in Biology degree. If you have no desire to use that degree, then switch to BSN. There is no use wasting money getting a degree that you will not use. MSN will not benefit you getting your initial NICU job. MSN would help you if your intention is to continue to NNP after getting NICU experience.

[babyNP., APRN]

19 hours ago, NICU Guy said:

At 60 credits, you are only half way through your BS in Biology degree. If you have no desire to use that degree, then switch to BSN. There is no use wasting money getting a degree that you will not use. MSN will not benefit you getting your initial NICU job. MSN would help you if your intention is to continue to NNP after getting NICU experience.

Depends on what the program is- there isn't a lot of overlap in many MSN programs (particularly non-clinical MSNs) and it would be essentially spending $$ on courses she/he doesn't need to become a NNP. I mean, if she/he wants to for the fun of it and has extra $$ to spend, sure.