Furthering education

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I am almost done with my ADN in nursing and was curious on people's thoughts about going straight to a bachelor's program or just surpassing that and doing the master's program. I am not sure where I want to end up with my nursing career but I would rather get majority of my schooling done as soon as possible rather than going back to school in my 50's.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

You haven't even started yet so how do you know what specialty will resonate with you? I'm assuming that you are going to go part-time while working. You can't go wrong with earning the BSN but you could spend a lot of money going in the wrong direction if you sign up for the direct entry master's. As an undergrad, I was so sure that I was going to go into psych but after 10 years of experiencing several specialties, wound up in anesthesia because I wanted to use that organic chem class under my belt and too old for med school debt. Eventually I envied those psych prescription writing-machine jobs:(

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If you are not sure of your path- do the BSN first. While you are adjusting to just being an RN, you'll get a better feel for where you might want to end up, and that can clarify your visions and decision-making.

Best wishes

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Specializes in Critical care.

I've been working for several years and thought I knew what I'd be doing my masters in when I finished my ABSN program. I honestly have no idea what I want to do anymore. Do the BSN, get some experience, then decide.

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You have not even started to practice nursing. Learn our profession and grow from there.

I did very well with an ASN, you can too.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

I was dead set in going straight into my bachelors when I completed my ADN program and now 6 years later I am in my second 8 wks of the RN-BSN bridge. Once you get your license and start your first job, you will realize how much this profession is learned from actually working versus the information you aquire in school. When you start getting your feet wet, you may be able to gage what direction or field you wish to be in. The wonderful thing about this career field is that there are SOO many avenues that are available to you.

I would suggest concentrating on finishing the program, passing boards and getting a job. You will be transitioning from student to nurse during your first job, learning your unit, peers, job expectations, doctors ect and developing your skills to work safely on your own. It is a lot and can be very stressful, just see some of the threads on the first year board. That would be a lot to take on for a new nurse and adding an undergraduate or graduate program on top of that. just a thought. Best wishes in what you decided on.

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I agree that pursing a masters before you have a clear idea of what direction you want to go in nursing would be unwise. It's great that you are committed to advancing your education and I totally understand the desire to finish school sooner rather than later. Channel you're effort into a BSN which is serve you no matter what direction you decide to go. You can always go right from ADN-BSN-MSN if you've arrived at a better sense of where you want to take your career. Doing so won't significantly extend your educational timeline while giving you the time to make a decision based on some real world nursing experience.

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