Direct entry BSN vs MSN

[Assaivivace]

Hi there! I'm in the process of making the decision to apply to post grad nursing programs, and was wondering if anyone had insights on the direct entry BSN programs vs. MSN. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA or an NP, and I've heard MSN programs are being phased out. Does this effect direct entry/GEM type programs as well? How easy is it to enter the job market with these direct entry/accelerated post grad programs as opposed to those with a traditional BSN?

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Welcome to allnurses-I hope you find a wealth of information on here :)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

OP, I just wanted to clarify...do you have a BA or BS degree and you are interested in becoming a nurse?

And the options you are researching are Accelerated Second Degree BSN (they are not called Direct Entry BSN) vs Direct Entry Master's in Nursing?

There are pros and cons to both depending on individual circumstances. The BSN would be shorter and will allow you to earn your RN license quicker in order to get your foot wet as a nurse. Doing that will allow you to explore the nursing profession and the career options and specializations that best fit your likes, goals, and personality. Some specialties require a certain amount of experience in a specialty field as a bedside nurse (i.e., CRNA programs requires some experience as an ICU nurse). This is what you want to go for if those are the fields you are interested in.

Direct Entry Master's come in many forms now. There are Direct Entry Master's that lead to various NP specializations and to a lesser, rarer extent CNS and CNM. In a field such as nursing where some premium is placed on having to "earn your stripes" or "work in the trenches" before becoming specialized (such as being an NP), these programs can be viewed negatively as taking shortcuts and getting ahead without putting in the time. Regardless, these programs exist and their graduates do successfully transition to advanced nursing roles. There is no study or research that proves otherwise and anecdotal evidence is equivocal.

Other Master's Entry Programs lead to either a generalist RN or a CNL, RN (which after all is said and done is also a generalist RN role). These will obviously take longer than the accelerated BSN and you earn the same RN license and is considered a new grad RN when you graduate. You compete for jobs with new RN's with all types of degrees. There may be some geographical areas (major cities such as SF, LA, Boston, NY, Chicago) where some hospitals prefer RN's with higher degrees but again, I'm not an expert on hiring so I probably shouldn't state this with authority.

There is no specific mandate to eliminate MS or MSN programs. Look around the threads here and use the search function...you may find answers to you questions that way.