Advice pls, next step in education

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to do bedside type nursing, then the BSN would be fine. Many times you can't get into the MSN program without having worked in the field for a certain number of years. It's worth checking out. Many hospitals around here are going for 'Magnet Status and will only hire BSN's which is another thing to consider. Tuition reimbursement to help get that BSN is also on option, but my employer pays up to $900/yr. It's not much, but it helps.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 22, 2011

At the magnet hospital where I work they still hire ADNs, even new grad ADNs, and imo that is a quick, inexpensive way to be able to make a decent living and possibly get some tuition reimbursement as you continue with your education if that is what you decide to do. Jmo but "they" have been "phasing out" LPNs for 30 or so years as I recall. :rolleyes:

RHIA, RN · Nov 22, 2011

Yes, Jules my local hospital has effectively phased out LPNs. They haven't hired any in about 2 years. There are still plently of LPN jobs to be found in the area, just not at the hospital.

Chevy, good point about the experience required for a Masters program. I need to check on that. I had thought about applying for a Masters program at OSU (not nursing) prior to going into the bridge program and they were willing to accept my LPN experience. I can only hope that OU will do the same . . . if I go that route.

Mom2boysRN · Nov 22, 2011

I'm in the same position. I have an unrelated BS and an ADN grad. I have been advised by other nurses that have btdt just to go for my msn. I think this is what I want to do and if I chose to this will allow me to teach later in my career, which is something I see as something I may possibly want to do.

I personally would advise you to do what you think will best support where you see your nursing career going. If you don't think you will ever want to do something that requires a MSN then I'd just go for the BSN.

flipflopsRN · Nov 22, 2011

I'm in the same boat too! I have a BS, an ADN, and I'm wrapping up my first year on the job. I want more and I started on my BSN but its so much un-usable theory that I quite. i figure if I'm going to make the effort, i should go further and get a degree that will give me some role flexibility. I'm stuck though- looking at MSN-NP (but worried about that 2015 thing, i wouldnt be done with school by then and I think an MSN isnt helpful in my area...the MSNs at work do what i do for the same salary). Looking at MPH too. Everybody says public health doesn't pay but i think it's different if you are an RN too b/c it may open up some RN specialties.

I have also though...maybe i should just finish that BSN in case it becomes required...but look at the aging population and need for nurses...can they really phase out ADNs??

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

A lot of places will accept a bachelor's degree with licensure in lieu of the BSN. It's the four-year college education that matters.

njmomstudent · Nov 22, 2011

I too am getting ready to finish my ADN and already have a BS in biology. I personally am going to get my MSN after this. Not because I need it to pay more, but I will need a higher nursing degree than an ADN in the upcoming years. Where I live there are quite a few bridge programs for those with a bachelors and ADN. You basically have to take 1 to 3 extra classes before the MSN classes start. I also looked at ADN to BSN programs. Since I have all my science prereq's done, I would need another 27 credits in nursing courses to get my BSN. They are all community leadership, administration classes. No clinicals, or nursing skill classes at all. The MSN program is only 41 credits to obtain the degree (not counting the bridge classes). The MSN program counts towards other types of MSN or NP programs, so if I decided to go further than a regular MSN eventually, I would be halfway there. I figure I'm not losing anything going that way. Also, any nurse manager or HR person I've spoken with says that they do not require a BSN prior to an MSN if you already have another type of bachelors degree.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

I am getting sick of the college rhetoric terrorizing students into more debt. It depends on the area where you live and when the law changes that you need a BSN....ADN/ASN will be grandfathered as we are all RN's. This push to shove the BSN down everyone's throat by the collegiate community to perpetuate thier jobs and hold students/new nurses captive because of serious debt IS REALLY BEGINNING TO BUG ME!!!!! :devil:

Before anyone flames me I have my BSN...I just don't like bullies. If you want me to have $70,000 dollars in debt pay me more than $22.00 an hour.... :smokin:

To the OP...with the ecomony you may ahe a harder time finding a job and it might make it easier with a BSN. Finish school, find a position and then go back....It's more imperative no than ever as I do believe it will become mandatory finally (they talked about this when I grauated in 1978) and with your whole career ahead of you you will need it...Good luck

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

Esme, I couldn't agree more! They keep pushing and pushing but the minute you ask about a raise, you get the story about the economy and how their bottom line is hurting. They dont' seem to be hurting nearly as much though.

Wage freezes, more work, less staff.......but hey we need you to get your BSN! Puke!!!!!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 22, 2011

There is a push nationwide to have 80% of hospital nurses with BSN degrees. However, it is not possible in all markets. If you can get a job with an ADN degree then do so, and decide about the BSN later. I will say that the writing is on the wall. But maybe a future employer will assist with tuition

jelly221,RN · Nov 23, 2011

A lot of places will accept a bachelor's degree with licensure in lieu of the BSN. It's the four-year college education that matters.

I just hafta say that nowhere in SoCal, Nevada, or Florida is this true. Neither is it true for the military. I have a BS and an ADN, and I applied all of those places and they don't give a rat's whooey about my BS. Maybe (MAYBE!) if your bachelor's is in a related field, it'll help. But for the most part, "BSN preferred/required" means exactly that.

OP, I went straight for an MSN program. I also am thinking either NP or CRNA eventually. I'm doing a CNS track MSN, which isn't exactly what I want to do, but at least I'll have grad level patho, pharm, & assessment, which will make me a stronger applicant for whatever I end up deciding to do. My decision came down to the fact that I could've spent 12-18 mos getting a BSN or 2 yrs getting an MSN. I think that education is always valuable, and even if I don't get paid more because of having an MSN, it helps me at work and I actually have ended up getting more attention from nursing leadership b/c they know that I'm serious about nursing and looking to improve myself and my field. Just my experience, your reasons/needs might be different.