In search of advice...MSN vs. RN

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 7, 2005

masters programs in nursing are predominately specialty programs.

new kid on the block is the initial mn as entry to practice--minimal programs out there. many 1yr bsn programs for second career students with bachelor's.

often times a strudent who desires ob realizes love for icu nursing after clinicals. there are many areas of nursing that one is exposed to in a university based bsn program that lay public have no idea about.

your post shows indecision re career goal beyond rn. what passions do you have? why leaving athletic medicine? what attracts you to nursing? where do you think you want to practice after graduation?

answering these questions will help you decide.

american association of colleges of nursing (aacn) has some good info.

accelerated programs: the fast-track to a nursing career

accelerated bsn and msn nursing programs [pdf]

accelerated baccalaureate to doctoral nursing programs

campusrn/aacn career center and scholarship fund

good luck and choose wisely!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2005

masters programs in nursing are predominately specialty programs.
new kid on the block is the initial mn as entry to practice--minimal programs out there. many 1yr bsn programs for second career students with bachelor's.
often times a strudent who desires ob realizes love for icu nursing after clinicals. there are many areas of nursing that one is exposed to in a university based bsn program that lay public have no idea about.
your post shows indecision re career goal beyond rn. what passions do you have? why leaving athletic medicine? what attreacts you to nursing? where do you think you want to practice after graduation?
answering these questions will help you decide.
american association of colleges of nursing (aacn) has some good info.
accelerated programs: the fast-track to a nursing career
accelerated bsn and msn nursing programs [pdf]
accelerated baccalaureate to doctoral nursing programs

campusrn/aacn career center and scholarship fund
good luck and choose wisely!

i think this is brilliant advice, and is exactly why i started shying away from direct entry msn programs. i truly believe my heart is in the picu, but what if i go there and find out i just can't stand it? what if i find i'm drawn to trauma medicine, or primary care, or nicu nursing, or private duty (the latter of which i doubt, but what if)? i decided to stick with straight rn programs.

and i'll be checking out your links, so thanks for providing those!

classicaldreams · Jul 7, 2005

Hello all! I'm new to this site...and from the looks of all of the information here there has got to be someone out there that can give me some insight!
I have a Bachelor's in Athletic Medicine but I'm looking for a career change into nursing. I have been debating between going towards an entry-level Master's program to be an NP (or CNS) or just getting another Bachelor's degree to be an RN. I can't tell you how long I have been struggling with this decision!! Every time I lean towards the Master's program I wonder if because I would have to choose a specialty, would I be limiting myself to one specific field? On the other hand, will I be content with another Bachelor's? Is there anyone out there that chose one over the other and had second thoughts? Or does it even matter?
I've heard that the NP field has become over-saturated? If I choose the Master's option, would CNS be a better option?
Any help...opinions...advice would be fantastic!!

Dear cjkatc,

I can say from experience that Karen's advice is right on the mark. I hold a BA in communications and worked many years in the field. After much research, I decided to pursue nursing. I almost attended an accelerated program that would take me directly into a MSN, but the financial investment was risky in my opinion, so I opted for my much less expensive community college. Now I am faced with getting my bachelor's, but in the 3 years since I started this pursuit, the options for completing your bachelor's online have grown, so I consider that a plus.

I originally thought peds would be my area of focus, but after working in the hospital setting and graduating this spring, I've taken a job in critical care. I love the intensity, the responsibility, and the in-depth knowledge required. CC fits my personality; med/surg doesn't. Having floated to med/surg and spent most of my clinical time there, I can tell you that much of your time will be spent juggling 7 patients. If you are the "investigative" type, like me, understanding all aspects about your patient's illness is very interesting. In addition, during my peds clinical rotation, I realized that while I like kids, it was very difficult for me to relate well to the parents and kids. I would suggest that you take a serious look at what core aspects about athletic medicine you liked and build upon it.

I hear debate on the oversaturation of NPs, but just this last year, I've noticed more job openings on hospital websites. (I live near a major city, so your mileage may vary in this respect.) Perhaps you could call nurse recruiters and ask about NP positions in the past and present. Check with your any local or state-wide nurse associations. They may have a pulse on the job market.

Sorry this turned into a longer message than I had originally intended. Hoped it helped some.

Classicaldreams

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 7, 2005

RE oversaturation of NP's---dimminished as physician Resident hours now cut, so NP's being utilized.