Help. Accelerated BSN or direct-entry MSN?

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Hi all,

I know this question has been asked before, I've been poring over previous posts about others' situations for days...lol But I'm just wondering if I could get a little insight into my situation.

I have a BA and am going back for my BSN. I've worked in EMS for the past 15 years, but while I eventually intend to get my master's, I don't yet know what specialty.

So the easy answer would be - get my accelerated BSN. Work a little, figure it out and go back for my masters in the future.

However, I have reached my lifetime max for financial aid with my first degree. Everything I'm reading about financial aid for students getting a second bachelors degree suggests going for a graduate program instead, to avoid that problem.

But I can't apply for a specialty that I don't know that I want. I have one in mind, but what if, through nursing school and work, I discover I really wouldn't like that area. Or what if I fall in love with another? I don't want to lock myself into something now that may very well change.

It makes more sense to me to go accelerated BSN and work after, and in that time decide on a specialty. But then, no financial aid so I couldn't go back at all (I'm a single-income household).

I'm having difficulty finding any direct-entry MSNs that will allow you to choose a specialty later, they all seem to require it when you apply. Does anyone know of a program that will allow you to delay choosing a specialty?

Thanks so much. I've just got to figure out how to swing this. It's the curse of not knowing what you want to be when you grow up until much later. :-)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Look into CNL (Clinical Nurse Leader) programs for 2nd career people like you. They are at the graduate level and don't focus on any particular specialty. Read about the CNL role at the website of the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing -- or some such name. I keep forgetting their exact name)

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Why don't look into physician Assistant program,it's a master degree and it is in the same ranking as MSN.

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You need to already have a substantial amount of hands on direct pt care to go to PA school. My first degree is a BA in Film/TV... hence the accelerated BSN or direct-entry MSN choice. I have been in EMS for the past 15 years, but not enough direct pt care. Thanks anyway though, lots of people do suggest PA to me.

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