Direct Entry - MSN vs Accelerated Online - BSN

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Hello everyone!

I usually lurk but I've been reading through a few threads about DE-MSN programs and see that they're not well liked in the nursing community (which is unfortunate in my opinion) but I wanted to get some thoughts on my situation and whether y'all think I should re-consider pursuing an Direct Entry MSN.

I have a Bachelors in another field of study and I will be finishing up my final four pre-reqs in the Spring, I have applied to an AOBSN program and in-person DE-MSN program for the Fall of 25 and I'm waiting for the decisions but in the meantime I'm going back and forth with myself on which one is the best option based off my situation. Here are some of the pros and cons that I've been weighing...

DE-MSN Pros:

In-Person program which I think I would prefer, having that face-to-face interaction suits me better now than it did when I obtained my first bachelors 10+ years ago.

  • I understand that DE-MSN programs are looked down upon because it's an MSN program with no prior bedside RN experience, but I still see it as a career progression for myself having a master's instead of obtaining another bachelor, ultimately the two programs achieve the same goal which is sitting for the NCLEX but for some stupid reason I feel like obtaining another bachelor's seems redundant.
  • I'm have over 5 years in emergency medicine which I do understand doesn't completely equate to bedside nursing but to me (some will fight me tooth and nail on it) there are some similarities between the two within certain context.
  • As far as I know, it is NOT a program that grants you the ability to sit for the NP exam which is absolutely what I did not want in a program because that is not what I wanted to gain out getting an MSN instead of a BSN. The long term plan for myself is to work in an ICU for a few years then, once my loans have been paid down and I've gained enough experience, go back to school for a DNP. So, I hope that it's clear that I still want a handful of years of bedside practice before going for a DNP.
  • Speaking of loans, that's essentially the driving factor behind applying to the DE-MSN program. It's considered a graduate program therefore I can use graduate-level federal loans which I haven't touched yet whereas I'm 10k away from exhausting my undergraduate federal loan limit which has been adding another level of stress for me.
  • This program contracts with multiple hospital systems in my area, one of them being the system that I would like to work for after school.

DE-MSN Cons:

  • No other way to put it, it's expensive LOL about $15,000 more expensive than the AOBSN program I applied to but again with it being a graduate level of program it does remove a bit of the stress of being able to pay for it right away.
  • I am still going to work through the program, I don't have a choice as I have financial responsibilities and a family to care for. I am going to put forth the effort to grind through it while working but because it's an in-person program vs online it will add some challenges of schedule conflicts where I will have to call in a lot of favors at work LOL. Thankfully though I have decent flexibility with my employer to make time accommodations for school.

AOBSN Pros:

  • As mentioned before, it would be cheaper for me but I'm close to exhausting my undergraduate loan limit so it's not that much of a positive, I guess.
  • With the classroom aspect being online and asynchronous it would allow me to have ample time to be able review pre-reordered lectures during my off time.

AOBSN Cons:

  • The asynchronous online environment has been nice so far, but I think that might be a downfall for me when it comes to the upper division courses where there is quite a bit of interaction between the classroom, lab and clinical environments.
  • This program only contracts with one hospital system in my area and it's the one system I'm not entirely fond of.

One last thing I should mention is the NCLEX Pass Rates for the two programs which are DE-MSN at 97% and AOBSN at 93%

I know I've thought up more pros and cons for both programs than I've written above but so far that's the bulk of it, it might seem like I'm leaning towards the MSN program but I truly am at about 50/50 for both and honestly what's stopping me from going full-throttle with the DE-MSN program is the fact that I'm a little concerned that DE-MSN programs are not well liked by nurses in the field and I don't want that to be a reason I'm potentially "written off" as a candidate when applying for jobs (that's assuming that even occurs, which I did read on another website LOL).

Thank you for any opinions or advice y'all may have! 🙂

I spent the better part of a year going back and forth on which program to choose. I looked at online programs, in person programs, community colleges, large universities...I looked at ADN, BSN, MSN, literally everything.  What it came down to for me was the convenience of an online program, because I still have to work and cost.  I ultimately chose the MSN so that I could use graduate loans.  My plan is to get my FNP, so that was also a deciding factor.

Michelle Broaddrick said:

I spent the better part of a year going back and forth on which program to choose. I looked at online programs, in person programs, community colleges, large universities...I looked at ADN, BSN, MSN, literally everything.  What it came down to for me was the convenience of an online program, because I still have to work and cost.  I ultimately chose the MSN so that I could use graduate loans.  My plan is to get my FNP, so that was also a deciding factor.

YES, that's the same debate I'm having as well. Did you obtain your BSN first then an MSN or was it a Direct Entry - MSN? How did you like the MSN program? Do you feel it was worth the added cost? 

SpiritOfFire said:

YES, that's the same debate I'm having as well. Did you obtain your BSN first then an MSN or was it a Direct Entry - MSN? How did you like the MSN program? Do you feel it was worth the added cost? 

It is a direct entry MSN. My undergrad is in Sports Medicine, however I've been working as a teacher for 22 years. I didn't want to waste any more time getting my bsn first.  I did take a medical assisting program and will be taking that certification exam soon, so I can at least get my foot in the door and start working in the medical field.  I had to take some prerequisites, so I am not actually starting my core courses until January.  But as far as the cost, it really wasn't that much more than the bsn. 

Michelle Broaddrick said:

It is a direct entry MSN. My undergrad is in Sports Medicine, however I've been working as a teacher for 22 years. I didn't want to waste any more time getting my bsn first.  I did take a medical assisting program and will be taking that certification exam soon, so I can at least get my foot in the door and start working in the medical field.  I had to take some prerequisites, so I am not actually starting my core courses until January.  But as far as the cost, it really wasn't that much more than the bsn. 

Sounds like you have a solid plan put together, that is my thinking as well, why go for second BSN when it's a couple of months longer and not much more expensive for an MSN. I'm finishing up my Pre-Reqs in the Spring and will hopefully be starting an upper-division program (hopefully MSN) in the fall.

I did myself the disservice and was reading other threads and websites on peoples opinions of students getting an MSN with no prior bedside experience but the way I see it is I am still going to work as a bedside nurse for a few years until I can pay down some loans and go back for a doctoral program so to me it's no different between having a BBA and BSN vs a BBA and MSN (in my case), at least I won't have put myself in more debt and more time spent on a redundant bachelors. It's good to know there are others like you who are pursuing a direct entry MSN as well.

SpiritOfFire said:

Sounds like you have a solid plan put together, that is my thinking as well, why go for second BSN when it's a couple of months longer and not much more expensive for an MSN. I'm finishing up my Pre-Reqs in the Spring and will hopefully be starting an upper-division program (hopefully MSN) in the fall.

I did myself the disservice and was reading other threads and websites on peoples opinions of students getting an MSN with no prior bedside experience but the way I see it is I am still going to work as a bedside nurse for a few years until I can pay down some loans and go back for a doctoral program so to me it's no different between having a BBA and BSN vs a BBA and MSN (in my case), at least I won't have put myself in more debt and more time spent on a redundant bachelors. It's good to know there are others like you who are pursuing a direct entry MSN as well.

Right! A second bachelors just didn't make sense for me.  At the end of the day, I'll be an RN.  Go with your gut and you won't be disappointed 🙂

Michelle Broaddrick said:

Right! A second bachelors just didn't make sense for me.  At the end of the day, I'll be an RN.  Go with your gut and you won't be disappointed 🙂

Absolutely, my big concern was whether or not prospective employers would look down upon a new grad nurse with an MSN but no prior bedside experience but like I said that's my goal after school whether a BSN or MSN is to gain bedside experience. More than likely I'll go the MSN route and like you said just got with my gut 🙂 thank you for your advice and experience!

Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.
SpiritOfFire said:

Absolutely, my big concern was whether or not prospective employers would look down upon a new grad nurse with an MSN but no prior bedside experience

Nope it does not matter if you get a BSN or MSN. Employers only care about you having your RN license to work as a bedside nurse. 

Lipoma said:

Nope it does not matter if you get a BSN or MSN. Employers only care about you having your RN license to work as a bedside nurse. 

That's a relief, I definitely did myself a disservice by reading others opinions on the matter LOL

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