HELP: Second Degree BSN vs. MSN

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I would greatly appreciate ANY help on this matter...Here's a little background and my predicament:

I'm currently a student at Clemson University studying biological sciences. I realized a little too late that I wanted to become a pediatric nurse, so I had originally planned on graduating this upcoming May (in 3 years) with my biology degree then pursuing a BSN through an accelerated program. I'm fairly certain that my ultimate career goal is to be a nurse practitioner, but I can't say that with certainty yet. With that in mind, I'm wondering whether it's worth it to do an accelerated BSN program and spend the time and money get a second degree then potentially go on to get an MSN later, or apply to a direct-entry MSN program. I know I want to work as a nurse first before deciding if I want to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner...any advice?

To confuse everything a little more...I just got admitted into Clemson's undergraduate nursing program which I have the option of transferring into this upcoming semester. But as I'd be switching my major, I'd be very behind and would graduate in 4.5 years. While I know this is the "easiest" route to become a nurse for me, I have issues with graduating that late when I'm 20 credits shy of a biology degree (maybe it's just a pride thing?)

ANY help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, please share any great accelerated BSN or MSN programs that you know of! I want nothing more than to become a pediatric nurse or nurse practitioner, helping others each day, but I need to be financially responsible for how to attain this degree! Thank you!

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Get a BSN first. You don't even know if you like nursing yet.

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Specializes in ICU.

It is very difficult for an entry level MSN to find a job for one reason; they have a Masters Degree without mastering the subject or the art of nursing. You need experience with a BSN to become a MSN in my opinion. How do you master a subject without practicing it? Any subject? Do you think you could become a black belt in karate without any practice? Think about it.

Nobody is hiring an MSN for bedside. But you need bedside experience to become a master. Do a BSN first. Then work on your Masters.

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