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Discussion

Deciding between nursing programs

Hello! I was recently accepted into a few accelerated nursing programs, and I can not decide which one to pick.

Western University: 3 year program. RN license after 1 year. Master's degree for the next 2 years (CNL). No BSN.

University of Rochester: 1 year program. RN license after 1 year. BSN only.

De Paul University: 2 year program. RN license and Master's degree (Generalist). No BSN.

Saint Louis University: 3 year program. Master's degree (CNL). They actually gave me an opportunity to do the Accelerated BSN instead if NP was in my future.

I am currently leaning toward University of Rochester. I want to become a FNP in the future, and I feel that gaining a Master's degree in CNL or Generalist wouldn't necessarily help me with my career path. I think the best thing to do right now is to do the 1 year program at Rochester, work for a couple years, and re-apply to the RN-MSN(NP) program at Rochester. I can't justify spending hundreds of thousands more dollars for a Master degree in CNL that I wouldn't even use. Is this the right path that I should choose? Western University is also a great school, but it would take me almost 5 years of schooling, with almost 300k in debt to become an NP. My problem is that I already have a Bachelor's degree and I hate that I would be going to school for 1 year for another Bachelor's when I have the opportunity to gain a Master's. Any insight would be helpful. Thank you!

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    I went back to school for my BSN after receiving my bachelors degree. I completed a 1 year accelerated BSN program. When I finished my first degree I had professors who tired to talk me into staying and going right into a masters program. I decided I wanted to work first for a bit, then get my masters. I'm so happy I did that, because it turns out I wasn't happy doing work with my first degree. If I had put the time and money into a masters right away I wouldn't have felt I could go back to school for nursing.

    My theory is you really don't know what you'll want to do/like in nursing until you are actually doing it. So you may THINK you want FNP, then change your mind once you start to see all the options. I hope that makes sense. I was a second degree BSN student too. My original thoughts going into it were to eventually become an NP- but there are different types of NPs- and now I'm not sure if I'd be happier doing my MSN in nursing education. I know I'll go back to school within the next several years for something, but it's nice knowing at this point I can change my mind. It was also stressed to me in school that what sets an NP apart from a PA is the clinical experience an NP gained as an RN.

    So far I don't regret picking an ABSN program instead of a direct entry MSN or NP program. IMHO I think picking the Univeristy of Rochester is a good choice/the best choice.

    Best of luck!

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    Yes I completely agree with what you are saying. I think the thing that's mostly holding me back from the BSN program is having to deal with the application process for the Master's again. I'm not sure if doing the BSN-MSN or getting a post-masters FNP is the better choice. If I go with the Master's, I would have a higher degree and could potentially factor into job applications, whereas with a BSN would not really give me a leg up in the field. But I appreciate your advice and I have alot to think about!

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