ABSN or AMSN?? Once again please

Nurses General Nursing

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I am sure that this is a topic that has been hacked to pieces, but I'm having a hard time searching and isolating the threads. BA, RN or BSN, RN or MSN, RN ?!?

My situation: I have a BA in Biology and I have been accepted to University of Rochester's Accelerated BSN for Non-Nurses (1 year). I have also been accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University's Accelerated MSN for Non-Nurses (3 years) - Clinical Nurse Leader specialty. Which one should I go to!? At the end of it all, they will both cost about the same with different outcomes.

Rochester sounds good because I'll be done in one year and can work as a nurse right away. It is ideal for me in the short-term because I like to travel and want flexibility to explore different areas of nursing. I can always go back for the MSN or MBA right??

VCU sounds good too because in the long run I probably should get an MSN if I want a better opportunity at becoming an administrator, manager, etc. And if I'm going back to school, why not finish it all at once? I'm not getting any younger. Also, I have the option to stop at the 1.5 year mark, get my RN and work and explore.

I don't have much experience in the medical field and while I really think nursing is the right career path for me, there is no telling until I'm in it. I'm afraid that I will come out with a MSN at the end of 3 years and realize that I'm not cut out to be a nurse. Right now, I think I would be happy for a long time as a bedside staff nurse in the hospital or as a travel nurse. But, maybe I should plan for the future too where I may want to be involved in administration and policy.

Wow. I realize there isn't a right or wrong answer to this question, so any input is appreciated. Thanks much!

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