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Discussion

Entry-level MSN worth it?

There is a relatively new entry level MSN program (sit the RN exam after graduation, not an APRN program) in my area for people who already have BS degrees in another major. They don't have the NCLEX-RN pass rates up yet but the ones for their BSN program are favorable. I am trying to decide if a career change is worth it.

Why am I considering MSN over BSN? I've seen credential creep happen. When I earned my BS, that was all I needed to get hired directly into a laboratory. Fifteen years later, I'm at the top number of my title, too overspecialized for a lateral transfer, am maxing out at a lower hourly wage than advertised for new RNs in my area, and do not have a night shift option. It's not enough money to support my growing family.

I know nothing about the nursing profession beyond the complaints of the many nurses in my extended family (long hours, mandatory overtime, being unappreciated, etc.) and the completely opposite perspective I've gotten from questioning nurses who were in the L&D area when I was having my third kid (wonderful profession, you should try it). I have experience dealing with gore and legal issues, but I don't deal well with insults.

  • For those who have graduated from an entry level MSN program: Were you able to find employment soon after grauation?
  • For those with a hiring perspective: Do you consider what level of education is obtained when the candidate is completely inexperienced? Do you hire new grads with MSN degrees or do you avoid them under the assumption they're going for DNP soon and won't stay?
  • For those in the trenches: What is your general impression of these new programs and the nurses that come out of them? What jobs would you recommend that have less mandatory overtime and minimal rudeness toward the nurses?

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    • Featured Replies

    It is definitely not worth it in my part of the country. In our profession, graduate education is associated with specialization. Therefore, an entry level MSN (ELM) just doesn't fit. A new grad ELM does not have any advantage over other new grads. In fact, according to NCLEX results, they don't do as well as BSN or ADN grads. In addition, many states require a nursing undergrad degree in order to be eligible for licensure - so ELMs may not be able to become licensed in those states if they want to relocate.

    Nursing education is necessary but not sufficient to produce a competent practitioner... you must also attain clinical competency in nursing practice. This is normally achieved in your first couple of years of practice - there is evidence that it requires 2-5 years to become fully competent, depending upon the specialty area. Competency (not knowledge) is the determining factor in direct care nursing jobs.

    If you're extremely concerned about "rudeness toward nurses" and avoiding overtime, you may want to re-think nursing. Nurses are the lowest level of the acute care professional hierarchy. We are the foot soldiers of health care and as such our job satisfaction is highly dependent upon the quality of nursing leadership we have. Healthcare work is fraught with emotions & those frequently spill over in the form of "rudeness" toward nurses because we are an easy target . . . we cope.

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    Hi-

    My experience as an Entry Level MSN grad has been very favorable. I also have a laboratory backgraound, and I wanted to be involved with direct patient care. I graduated with my RN-MSN in 2009 and am a Family Nurse Practitioner. These programs are highly competitive and they usually have many more applicants than open slots. Everyone in my cohort passed both NCLEX and their respective NP boards on the first try. My program was rigorous and accelerated, and I have never worked harder at anything in my life. I had a job offer before graduation, as did many of my classmates. There was a high demand for NPs in my area, and most employers were more concerned over my lack of NP experience than my lack of RN experience.I graduated as a competent, entry level NP-I definitely learned so much on the job. I think the market has become more saturated, but I always see lots of NP jobs advertised in the area. I work in an outpatient private practice, with no overtime, weekends, or holidays. It was a great choice for me, and for many people I know. Best of luck in your career.

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    • Experts
    I know nothing about the nursing profession beyond the complaints of the many nurses in my extended family (long hours, mandatory overtime, being unappreciated, etc.) and the completely opposite perspective I've gotten from questioning nurses who were in the L&D area when I was having my third kid (wonderful profession, you should try it).

    (Just as an aside, I'd give a lot more credence to the comments of your family members than those of the L&D nurses in the hospital; in general, we don't complain to the clients -- if word got back to our bosses that nurses said anything negative about the particular facility or our jobs there to a member of the public, there could be significant consequences. Just something to factor in to your thought process.)

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    • Author

    Thank you HouTx, BCGradNurse, and elkpark for your insight. I think BCGradNurse has an ideal position, but reading on here makes me believe those positions are not very easy to find. An entry level MSN (RN) would not be adequate to get me hired into an MSN (NP) position by any means. I will continue to research other healthcare positions. I appreciate your help.

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