Is it better to do an entry MSN or BSN if you do not have an RN yet?

[cacurlytop]

Do you think it's better to try to get an entry MSN and take the Nclex, than a BSN? Still would have no work experience when finished and looking for that new grad job, so would it be harder to find one with a Masters RN and no experience? or better to have it completed. Thanks

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

No, the CNL actually is an advanced practice area of specialization similar to the clinical nurse specialist. The nurse is prepared to provide direct patient care and promote evidence based practice. For more information on what a CNL is and does, go to:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/FAQ.htm

No, the CNL may be a graduate-level program, but it is not Advanced Practice. It does not permit anyone to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

[KYCNM]

i did not say it was aprn preparation, what i said was it was an advanced practice level of education.

copied from the aacn website:

the cnl is an advanced generalist clinician with education at the master's degree level. graduate education is necessary because the cnl must bring a high level of clinical competence and knowledge to the point of care and to serve as a resource for the nursing team. the master's degree with a major in nursing will prepare graduates for an advanced generalist role. for a list of cnl programs currently accepting students, please visit www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/cnlweblinks.htm.

[NextGen]

Thanks for all the input. I have an MBA, have finished my nursing prerequisites and have applied to 2 nursing schools. One is an accelerated program and one is a diploma of nursing. If I do not get accepted into the accelerated proram, will my MBA help me get my first job???? Thanks!

[KYCNM]

You will get your first nursing "job" based upon your nursing education, not your MBA, although it might be useful after you have some experience because the MBA skills would be helpful as a manager, supervisor or CNO (chief nursing officer).

[JerseyGuy2]

There is obviously a WIDE range of opinions here, which, overall, is good. However, you really need to look at the labor market in the area of the country where you ultimately wish to live and/or work. For example, if you are in the New Jersey area, FORGET about a doing a direct-entry MSN (or Clinical Nurse Leader) if you WANT TO FIND A JOB!! The job market for entry level (regardless of academic degree preparation-level) is TIGHT. Who would hire a MSN/CNL with no experience......almost NO ONE!!! The regular ADN/BSN type RNs are having a hard enough time finding a job in an acute care setting (if that's where you wish to get your initial nursing experience).

These MSN programs, direct entry CNL, are in my opinion, "selling a bill of goods". With the emphasis on cost reduction (read me = watching salary levels), why would a hospital hire a MSN/CNL type?? In fact, THEY WOULDN'T. So again, you need to research the area of the country you wish to work/practice/live in....and I can tell you for sure.....the MSN/CNL types from Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ), and UMDNJ (Newark, NJ) ARE NOT FINDING WORK!!! Sooooo.....that's all from me, for now. Comments, please?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

There is obviously a WIDE range of opinions here, which, overall, is good. However, you really need to look at the labor market in the area of the country where you ultimately wish to live and/or work. For example, if you are in the New Jersey area, FORGET about a doing a direct-entry MSN (or Clinical Nurse Leader) if you WANT TO FIND A JOB!! The job market for entry level (regardless of academic degree preparation-level) is TIGHT. Who would hire a MSN/CNL with no experience......almost NO ONE!!! The regular ADN/BSN type RNs are having a hard enough time finding a job in an acute care setting (if that's where you wish to get your initial nursing experience).

These MSN programs, direct entry CNL, are in my opinion, "selling a bill of goods". With the emphasis on cost reduction (read me = watching salary levels), why would a hospital hire a MSN/CNL type?? In fact, THEY WOULDN'T. So again, you need to research the area of the country you wish to work/practice/live in....and I can tell you for sure.....the MSN/CNL types from Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ), and UMDNJ (Newark, NJ) ARE NOT FINDING WORK!!! Sooooo.....that's all from me, for now. Comments, please?

It very much depends on where you work...and what the reputation of your school is there. If institutions think graduates of your program walk on water compared to other programs' students, they'll hire you even with the higher degree since they think you're more likely to hack it for the first year and stick around a while. The nurse recruiters I've talked to recently, especially the ones at Level I hospitals nearby (of which there are many) think highly of my school's Masters-Entry program, and I know that recent grads are getting hired. (Admittedly, my program eschews the CNL for APN core courses.)

Additionally, as is quite often pointed out as an argument to settle for an ADN - new grad salaries are pretty much flat across the board. It's not until you've proven you're not an idiot that the Masters becomes useful.

[happy2learn]

TheSquire is right. New grads from entry level Master's programs (APN programs) are being hired in my area. It all depends on where you live.

[jjsrn1]

Yea, I also agree that it depends on where you live. More and more major medical centers in my state are either requiring a BSN or strongly preferring a BSN. So, an ADN won't go too far, except maybe if you wanted to work in a nursing home.

[cacurlytop]

Thanks everyone..I am SO confused now..KYCNM or JerseyGuy2 or anyone else ...I have a choice to do a two yr BSN( U of Wisc) or the two yr CNL ( at St Louis U ). Both have highly ranked programs ( for what ever that's worth) I then hope to return to California where I am from. I have no idea if they will hire new grad nurses with either degree or which would be easier to get a job with. I would need RN patient care experience, in order to ever be a CNL that provided resouces to others. Many places don't even use them now, so its just to have a Masters rather than another Bachelors degree,?? Any other opinions which way to go?? I have a 12 days to decide.

[Kubu22]

I'm also in the same situation. I am currently majoring in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Health Sciences at a 4 year university and am hoping to go to nursing school where I will be in a Generalist Entry Masters Program. This program is connected to the CNL certification. I will be able to get my RN certification, masters, and CNL all in 2 years. But, i'm still a little confused as to what the CNL will do for me in the future. Help?

[danny_RN]

A clinical nurse leader is a non advanced practice nurse route to graduate nursing education. Being a CNL will likely land you a nursing administration role and prospectively a position as a nurse executive, nurse researcher, or nurse educator. Likely, however, upon graduation from an MSN second degree program with a CNL degree route, and without previous nursing education (undergraduate ADN or BSN), you will be required to work for a period of time as a staff nurse to gain nursing experience. I have worked with a few second degree RN's from various MSN entities over the past few years who were expected to work as staff nurses for about three years before becoming department directors.

[danny_RN]

Also, don't pay much attention to the CNL title. Many places do not hire specifically a clinical nurse leader as a professional title, but ANYWHERE will hire you as an RN with an MSN. It is a very good route to take if you want to be a highly marketable Registered Nurse with the opportunity to become employed in the majority of nursing areas across the nursing continuum.