help with nursing schools!!

Sassybottom · Sep 1, 2007

I also have two degrees - bachelor's in economics and bachelor's in commerce. Based on my experience, I would recommend going to nursing school before entering a master's program.

Without experience and a basic nursing education, you might be short-changing yourself. It might also be difficult for you to find a job that requires a master's in nursing without any practical experience.

katiequinn · Sep 1, 2007

Gotcha...is that what you did?

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2007

It really depends upon what your ultimate goals are.

Do you imagine yourself becoming an NP, CNS, CRNA, nursing instructor, or a nursing researcher? An MSN is required for those and in that case a direct entry MSN would be better. Most employers won't pay for an MSN so it makes sense to go for that directly.

If the above options don't appeal to you, then an accelerated BSN would make more sense. You can do most jobs in nursing with a BSN, and employers are more likely to pay for that than an MSN.

I'm not familiar with the programs you mention, but some MSN programs require committing to a specialization early and some (like mine) don't require a specialization. They don't automatically lead to the NP---usually to an MSN, then some additional classes are required to become certified as an NP. Your first job will likely be as an entry-level hospital RN, and at that level it won't matter whether you have an ADN, BSN, or MSN (though the nursing shortage in the Northeast is lessening and there you might be more competitive with a BSN or MSN).

Financial aid varies---I think you can always get government Stafford Loans and private loans. As an MSN student you could get graduate government loans like PLUS as well...though the MSN usually costs more than the BSN.

The accelerated BSN is shorter but the direct-entry MSN usually has less competitive admissions. Both will teach you the basic nursing skills, but the MSN will teach you more about nursing research and possibly some nursing administration.

Hope this helps.

Sassybottom · Sep 1, 2007

Gotcha...is that what you did?

I have a bachelor's in nursing. In a couple of years and with some experience under my belt I would like to obtain a master's in nursing.

I feel that without the basic education and basic experience of working as a nurse, you might not get as much out of a master's program.

I guess I would just compare it to music - you won't get as much out of learning about the theory, history, and style of a piece of baroque music until you actually take the time to learn and play the piece.

Just my opinion.

A direct entry master's program obviously works for some people or else it wouldn't be offered :)

Hopefully more will respond to your thread so you can get a better picture of all the pros and cons.

Good luck!

Megsd, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2007

I went for the accelerated BSN for the reasons you mentioned. I didn't know yet if I would even like nursing, let alone the specialty I would have to choose in a master's program. I graduate in November and while I intend to get a MSN at some point, I *still* don't know which route I would like to go. Not to mention some people in my program started out determined to go into one specialty and changed their minds after experiencing different things, so for me I am glad I did not lock myself into one thing in particular.

katiequinn · Sep 2, 2007

Thanks for everyones responses. I really appreciate it! I have decided that I am going to apply to both types of schools and just see what happens. I am so nervous about this whole process! Initially I wasn't, because I had already started applying to medical schools, which is riiculosuly competitive. But all of a sudden, I got a gut feeling that its not right and withdrew all of my applications! And so here I am. I am so grateful for switching jobs from a lab to clinical research bc I realized just how little time doctors get to spend with patients. I really love the education aspect of nursing too!!

I just poted a couple of new threads....but so right now I am applying to UMASS (I'm from boston), Boston College, Johns Hopkins, and UPenn. I am also going to look into Case Western, Simmons, Rush, and a few others. I'm so nervous! Any suggestions?!?!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 2, 2007

Do you have any experience in health care? If not, I suggest getting some -- pehaps as a voluntere -- and getting to know some nurses personally. As you "get a feel" for the healthcare environment and get to know people and talk with them about their careers, you may develop better insight into what path would be right for you.

A lot of nursing students enter the field thinking that they want a particular career path, but end up taking a different path once they get a little actual experience. Whatever school and program you choose, be sure you have left yourself room to be flexible in making your career decisions down the road.

Asherah, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2007

Katie,

I posted a few replies to your other threads, but wanted to address a point regarding going for the BSN rather than BSN/MSN. Note that in relation to JHU if you apply to the BSN/MSN program upfront, after you complete your BSN (whether it is via Accelerated or Traditional) you have flexibility to take up to a year off to decided if you'd like to return and finish the MSN portion, or you can continue straight through. You would not have to re-apply to the MSN program to exercise this option.

If you continue, you can choose to attend part-time, while gaining work experience as an RN. This option sounds very attractive to me, and at this point is what I would plan on doing. Even if it would take 3+ years to complete the MSN part-time, there are several hospitals in the Baltimore area (inc. Hopkins) that do pay tuition reimbursement for graduate students, and all the while you have the advantage of gaining bedside experience before pursuing an NP role.

Good luck!