HELP: Deciding between MSN, ADN, or BSN

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I currently have a previous bachelors in Human Development, and was looking to start a nursing career. I've been doing extensive research on whether I should apply to an entry level MSN program, and ADN program, or a BSN program. 

Does anyone have any advice to give? 

Also has anyone completed a bridge program that would be able to give more information on this? I'm a bit confused on what it is

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Depends on what your goals are if you want to get the MSN.  

If it were me I would do one of those accelerated programs for the BSN that is designed for people with an existing Bachelor's degree.  

There's a gazillion debates over ADN vs. BSN but go for the BSN as it's preferred even though entry level nursing is the same with an ADN or BSN.  

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18 hours ago, pammgomez91 said:

I currently have a previous bachelors in Human Development, and was looking to start a nursing career. I've been doing extensive research on whether I should apply to an entry level MSN program, and ADN program, or a BSN program. 

Does anyone have any advice to give? 

Also has anyone completed a bridge program that would be able to give more information on this? I'm a bit confused on what it is

Pammgome91 -

As you are already learning there are a lot of directions that one can can take with a nursing career. You must first understand the area you in and then a basic idea of where you may want to go. 

First - the market you are in. In many areas of the country if you wish to work in acute care a BSN is required. However in most of the country ASN prepared RNs are readily hired into acute care positions and you may find this shocking they are paid exactly the same as BSN prepared RNs. If you live in one of these areas it may be most cost beneficial to get your ASN - begin your career and earn your BSN while working. 

If you live in an an area where BSN is the entry requirement for acute care then I would recommend an accelerated BSN program.

I would never recommend an entry level MSN that is not a specialty in which you could be readily be hired. (example - an MSN in nursing informatics or nursing management without any nursing experience would be hard pressed to find a job) The education cost alone will be substantially more and the end result is that you will find yourself competing in the job market with ADN and BSN prepared RNs for the exact same pay. 

If you know without a doubt that you want to be a nurse practitioner and know the patient population you want to be working with then a direct entry program may be the way to go. 

If your end goal is to be a practitioner but you don't know the patient population you wish to work with then you may consider a physician assistant program. 

I wish you the best of luck in your decision making.

 

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Specializes in ICU/Burn ICU/MSICU/NeuroICU.

^Great answer above^

You said, ". . . looking to start a nursing career"

1. Why?

2. Do a needs vs. wants list. eg, "I want to be a nurse, but I need to not have to deal with blood and guts" & etc.

3. Or, "I really like birthing babies!"

 

Do a self assessment and I think you'll find your answers more complete or even better questions to bring.

Best of luck!

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Yeah! Something I know something about! I am a new grad and just started my internship today. I have  an engineering BS and an MBA and decided to become a nurse. I live in Dallas/Fort Worth and TWU and the local community college NCTC has a blended program where I did my ADN and BSN at the same time in two years. Several folks did that and we had a good rate if completion. This route allowed me to get it done and still work part time. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in ICU.

Either ADN or BSN. MSN once you have experience and insight into future goals. My friend chose the ADN over ABSN due to cost and the fact that our area, Tx, hires ADNs. Run your own numbers and choose the best route for you. Best of luck!

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I recommend BSN.  I started with Associates, then did an Associates-BSN program, then later did MSN.  

The BSN might make you a little more marketable with some employers, and some BSN programs include a public health portion (Associates programs do not) which makes you eligible for public health certification (in CA at least).  The BSN will also make you eligible for management and other non-bedside jobs later down the road.  

Once you learn more about nursing and what kind of career you want later on in your career, you can pursue the MSN if you want.

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Specializes in Can not wait to find!.
On 7/19/2021 at 11:33 PM, wcholla said:

Yeah! Something I know something about! I am a new grad and just started my internship today. I have  an engineering BS and an MBA and decided to become a nurse. I live in Dallas/Fort Worth and TWU and the local community college NCTC has a blended program where I did my ADN and BSN at the same time in two years. Several folks did that and we had a good rate if completion. This route allowed me to get it done and still work part time. Best of luck to you!

Congratulations on the internship! I have found it interesting how many community colleges seem to have proficient (not all and maybe it is certain areas) nursing programs...I guess it just is surprising in the traditional sense of "good schools". Sorry for the side point, it just made me think. 

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Specializes in MSICU.

I personally chose to complete an ADN program first. I was accepted to MEPN, BSN and ADN programs but, as a second degree student, I had to pay out-of-pocket for my degree so the ADN just made the most sense. I was hired into an ICU without any issues regarding my degree. Plus, my hospital pays tuition reimbursement so I plan to enroll in an online RN-to-MSN program in about a year or so! 

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