Inquiry from a Pre-Nursing Student

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Hi all. This question is specifically directed to practicing nurses who are familiar with the work environment of being a nurse. I am a prospective nursing student interested in applying to the following programs:

- Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

- ABSN + MSN (with specialty)

- Direct Entry MSN (with one specialty or a hybrid of specialties - for example, FNP/NMW)

In your experience, which program is best suited for someone who is just entering the field with no experience of being a floor nurse. I have my reservations in going into the career without a BSN and being conferred the "FNP" title without having a few years of nursing experience, however, I'll wait to hear from others who are "in the know" before providing my own reasons. All honest feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

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Specializes in ED.

This question often turns into an age-old great debate. Personally, I would never recommend that anyone obtain an MSN if they have never practiced, especially when the MSN program is a clinical program, such as an NP or an APN program. There will be people who will tell you that they know a guy who knows a girl who got her NP degree without setting foot on a floor and became a great NP. Sure that happens, but not so much in my experience. The best NPs tend to be the ones with practice under their belt. That's what the program was originally designed for, and I don't think you can skip that step. Even if you want to go into administration, few nurses will respect an administrator who cannot identify the smell of MRSA emanating from a "no-nursing" home patient's bedsores. So... in my view, you should go with the ABSN program.

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Mikey, that was my line of thinking as well. Thanks for your honest opinion. I hope I won't be at a disadvantage compared to others who went for their advanced/dual degrees. I would prefer knocking two birds with one stone but. in this instance perhaps the quickest approach is not best suited for newly minted nurses. Thanks again for your feedback. :)

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I know a few nurses who did direct entry masters programs but ended up only securing staff nurse position making about $1-2 more an hour than me if any. They also had massive debt. I say go for the BSN and get experience. Many hospitals will pay for your MSN and you will be more set up to find a job using that degree since you will be experienced.

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I know a few nurses who did direct entry masters programs but ended up only securing staff nurse position making about $1-2 more an hour than me if any. They also had massive debt. I say go for the BSN and get experience. Many hospitals will pay for your MSN and you will be more set up to find a job using that degree since you will be experienced.

Thanks, Roxy. It sure would be great to get an employer to pay for my advanced degree. :)

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