Future Nurse Needs Some Advice

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Hey everyone,I'm new to this site, I found it while searching for information on nursing schools and was hoping someone out there could lend some advice. I am trying to decide between going to school for my BSN and then getting my MSN/nurse practitioner license, or going straight into an entry-level masters program.

Some background on myself: I'm 30 years old, I already have my BA, and another 3+ years of biology coursework (I was originally going to go to grad school for biology). I have a good GPA, have worked as a medical assistant in the past, have a EMT-basic certification, know for certain that working in medicine is my goal, as is becoming a nurse practitioner. I'm not worried about the money aspect of school, or the difficulty of coursework. My question is simply, is there any reason I should go for the BSN first, or can I go directly to my masters without any ill effect?

ANY help offered is appreciated. I don't know many people in the medical field, so I'm short on helpful advice right now. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but in my area, NPs without any nursing experience cannot get jobs. Direct entry MSNs of any sort are not getting hired. But some areas of the country may be different.

The vast majority of NP programs require clinical experience in order to qualify for acceptance. So, yeah - getting a BSN & working long enough to achieve basic competency would be a better idea. It would also provide a better foundation for choosing a specialty area for NP. Make sure you are basing decisions on the reality of NP practice. Many are employed doing the routine drudge work in clinics and making less than acute care specialty nurses, CNS's or Nurse Educators... certainly less than CNM's, CRNA's or nurse administrators (other nursing practice areas that require graduate education).

FYI - physicians are in the "medical" field. Nurses practice nursing. We both work in healthcare, but we are completely different disciplines. If you're keen on medicine, perhaps becoming a PA would be more to your liking.

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

Were it me, I'd get the BSN first, and then give it some time. Work for awhile and see what areas you really enjoy. I found that my perspective changed so much when I graduated. Initially I wanted, nay- I was DETERMINED to work in pediatrics. As an LPN I worked in peds and thought it would be great.

Well, when I graduated I found that peds didn't have the same appeal it once had, and I suddenly had a LOT of interests. Cardiology being one of them and so after a year of searching for a job I got a job on a cardiac/pulmonary/tele floor. It's good, I like it, but I don't think it's for me. I have found my interests going toward L&D/Mom-Baby/NICU. I've sort of just entertained them while working where I am now, and will let things happen as they will. I think having bedside experience can only help, especially in this sort of economy or job situation. Experience is smiled upon, big time.

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A lot of Master's in Nursing Programs will not even let you apply without X amount of clinical/work experience.

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