BSN vs. MSN

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What is the difference between a BSN and MSN? Do you get paid more because you have an MSN? Is having a MSN more beneficial?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

An MSN opens up job possibilities that are not available to those without graduate degrees. Some of those jobs pay more money, but some do not. Some have better work hours and working conditions, but some do not.

It all depends on what type of work you want to do. You don't need an MSN to be a bedside staff nurse. But an MSN is required for most advanced practice roles, teaching roles, some administration roles, etc.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

A BSN is an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science.

An MSN is a graduate degree, Master of Science. Most places require some type of Bachelors to apply for an MSN program

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

There are also Masters-Entry programs, which are geared to the same crowd as ABSNs - people with non-nursing bachelors degrees. Some programs spit you out with an advanced practice certification, others give you the advanced core coursework and then have you finish up whichever specialty you want with a post-masters certificate later.

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