Entry Masters vs BA for RN- pay, jobs, lifestyle

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

My understanding is that most people who do direct entry master programs still end up starting out as bedside nurse to start. I have no idea how much the masters would effect your pay until you got a higher level position . Gl

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 25, 2011

It's most commonly a BS or MS not a BA or MA. I work with a couple nurses who did a direct entry master's program. They are floor nurses in ICU. Most jobs do not pay more if you have a master's but mine does.

Lifestyle? You can usually pay your bills and have some extra to do fun stuff. It depends on your bills though and how much you work. I've noticed the ones with the "nice stuff" that everyone thinks nurses have are the nurses who work a lot. The nurse who works their three shifts a week still is on a budget. If you have a lot of student loans, kids or car payments, it's more likely a small apartment and cutting coupons, at least here in California.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

A nurse with a baccalaureate degree has a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing). Using this term, instead of BA, might render your internet searches more effective. Also, the graduate level degrees for nurses include the MSN (master of science in nursing), Ph.D, and DNP (doctor of nursing practice).

Entry-level graduate programs for people with non-nursing degrees are called DEMSN (direct entry master of science in nursing) programs. These nurses usually start at the bedside as a floor nurse and don't earn much more money, but the MSN degree usually leads to more career advancement opportunities, especially in management, education, and research.

Rabid Response · Mar 25, 2011

I work with a couple of nurses who have entry level masters degrees. They work bedside nursing just like me and get paid exactly the same as I do. I don't know anyone with that degree who works a desk job, and you would not be limited in any way by having it. On the other hand, I don't think you gain a whole lot career-wise by getting a masters before you've practiced as a nurse for a while. I'm applying for masters programs this year, and I'm glad that I waited a while since now I am sure that I want to be an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and that is not offered at the entry level in any program I've checked out.

One thing: I really hate the name "Clinical Nurse Leader," especially for a new grad with no experience. Somebody needs to come up with something better that that.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 25, 2011

I recommend BSN at this point, till you get bedside experience. For one thing, after the experience you may have more clarity in which area of nursing should be your focus. Good luck!

Otessa, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Hello!
I'm trying to become a nurse, doing pre-reqs for programs currently...I have a BA in writing so I assumed an Entry Level Masters was the way to go. However, I want to do hands on work, not paperwork! Is that what a Clinical Nurse Leader degree steers you towards? I don't want to do a Nurse Practitioner program because I want the freedom to get into travel nursing (domestic and international) and it's my understanding that RNs (as well as PAs) have much more freedom and flexibility in moving around. So now I wonder if an accelerated BA for RN is better...allowing me to do hands on work. Is the pay similar for BA RNs and MA RNs??
Any advice and/or corrections of misconceptions I have are much appreciated, thank you!!

direct-entry master programs for nursing are great for those who want to be an NP.

A master's degree in nursing, even with several years of experience, won't guarantee a job and some hospitals would prefer NOT to hire you at the bedside.

I would get an accelerated BSN or BA-that would allow you to travel-usually after you have had at least 1-2 years of experience (most new grads will not be able to travel-you would need to check out travel nursing companies)

ocean waves · Mar 25, 2011

Hello. It is good that you are asking questions about nursing education. I agree with the poster who shared the importance of learning the appropriate terms for professional nursing education. (Bachelor Of Science in Nursing, and Master Of Science in Nursing). It is also important to arrange meetings with nursing instructors to learn specific entry requirements and curriculum content at the universities or colleges of interest to you. Each professional school of nursing tends to have different requirements. All professional schools of nursing include student requirements of serious, extensive, supervised, hands on care of patients in clincial settings. In addition to successful completion of clinical experience and course work, all graduates of professional nursing programs are required to take a very difficult state, written, licensure exam in order to actually become Registered Nurses. Nursing education can be a tough journey, however I enjoyed my nursing education and the high adventure of my 35 years as a nurse. Best wishes.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Can we use the terms "patient experience or nursing experience" instead of "bedside experience?" Is that a historical context, or...?

teensmom · Mar 25, 2011

I graduated with an accelerated BSN in 2008. I already had a bachelor's degree so I figured one year of schooling would be better than the three years it would take to get an entry level masters. The big problem I ran into was I couldn't get scholarships or loans because I already had a BA. I would have had an easy time getting tuition help for the master's degree. I don't know if things have changed but that is my experience.

ktliz · Mar 25, 2011

Most nursing students pursuing a second degree go the accelerated BSN route, instead of direct-entry MSN programs. I have a BS in psychology and am starting an ABSN (accel. BSN) in May.

Here is my old standby resource: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/issues/aug02.htm

The PDF links at the top of the page are the most comprehensive resource of second-degree nursing programs available.

Jmaegon · Mar 18, 2016

This is extremely helpful, thank you so much for posting this!