Job opportunities for entry level MSN grad?

Ms.Tshep · Dec 7, 2019

I can understand your concern, I have BA in Psych and my MBA and is interested in the entry level MSN program but little healthcare experience. I've already been accept to a ASN program but the same amount of time that it will take me to get my ASN; I could have my MSN. Decision, Decision. ?

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2019

People who go direct-entry MSN typically have a great deal of trouble finding work. The advanced degree leaves you overqualified for floor positions and your lack of any nursing experience leaves you too underqualified for MSN level positions.

You will do yourself more by getting an ASN or BSN.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 9, 2019

20 minutes ago, Nurse SMS said:
People who go direct-entry MSN typically have a great deal of trouble finding work. The advanced degree leaves you overqualified for floor positions and your lack of any nursing experience leaves you too underqualified for MSN level positions.
You will do yourself more by getting an ASN or BSN.

100% agree with this. The MSN will open doors with experience, but not much before

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 9, 2019

If I were in your position, I would get an entry-level MSN. However, I would expect to get a job as an entry-level staff nurse when I graduated, not an MSN level job. I have known lots of people be successful that way. They work as a staff nurse for a year or two, then move up the ladder quickly as positions in their place of employment open up. But they have to start at the beginning and develop the new grad level skills at the bedside necessary to be chosen and be successful at the higher level jobs.

While in school, I would do my best to set myself up for an entry-level staff nurse job by working or volunteering for a hospital and making connections. Choose a program with a strong senior preceptorship to further help you get a staff nurse job after graduation. Make it clear to everyone that you expect to work as an entry-level staff nurse immediately after graduation -- and won't mind staying in that job for a couple of years.

Then ... after you have worked as a staff nurse for a year or two, you will have the bedside skills and credibility you will need to be a serious candidate for other jobs. You'll also have the academic credentials you will need -- and won't have to invest more time and money getting additional nursing credentials.

When my hospital hires a new grad with an MSN, we hire them with the idea that they are an investment in the future. For the moment, we get a staff nurse ... but in the near future, we'll have a person ready to be a leader.

Good luck!

secondcareernurse · Dec 9, 2019

On 12/7/2019 at 11:37 AM, Ms.Tshep said:
I can understand your concern, I have BA in Psych and my MBA and is interested in the entry level MSN program but little healthcare experience. I've already been accept to a ASN program but the same amount of time that it will take me to get my ASN; I could have my MSN. Decision, Decision. ?

This is exactly my conundrum! The ASN and BSN programs aren't any faster or cheaper than the entry MSN programs (at least in my state). If I'm going to spend $40,000+ and 2+ years on a degree, I feel like the higher one would be better, assuming it doesn't affect my ability to get a first job.

2 hours ago, llg said:
If I were in your position, I would get an entry-level MSN. However, I would expect to get a job as an entry-level staff nurse when I graduated, not an MSN level job. I have known lots of people be successful that way. They work as a staff nurse for a year or two, then move up the ladder quickly as positions in their place of employment open up. But they have to start at the beginning and develop the new grad level skills at the bedside necessary to be chosen and be successful at the higher level jobs.

Thank you for your advice! I fully expect to start at the bottom and work my way up. Education is important, but not a replacement for experience. I was just afraid employers might not want to hire an MSN nurse for entry level work, especially if some hospitals have an automatic differential for the degree.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 10, 2019

4 hours ago, secondcareernurse said:
I was just afraid employers might not want to hire an MSN nurse for entry level work, especially if some hospitals have an automatic differential for the degree.

Look at the hiring policies of facilities where you wish to be hired, and this should help guide you

allnurses Guide · Dec 11, 2019

On 12/9/2019 at 2:00 PM, secondcareernurse said:
This is exactly my conundrum! The ASN and BSN programs aren't any faster or cheaper than the entry MSN programs (at least in my state). If I'm going to spend $40,000+ and 2+ years on a degree, I feel like the higher one would be better, assuming it doesn't affect my ability to get a first job.
Thank you for your advice! I fully expect to start at the bottom and work my way up. Education is important, but not a replacement for experience. I was just afraid employers might not want to hire an MSN nurse for entry level work, especially if some hospitals have an automatic differential for the degree.

This is a very valid concern. Your biggest hurdle is going to be getting interviews at all, so the networking llg discussed will be critical.

acindc82 · Dec 17, 2019

My response is late and so you may have already made your decision however I wanted to weigh in as someone who did an MSN -Direct Entry to practice/career changer. I would absolutely encourage you to go for the MSN over the ADN/ASN or BSN for a number of reasons. I did not have any difficulties finding a job after graduation in May of this year and neither have any of my classmates at different hospitals across the country. I applied for and received multiple offers from hospitals in DC, MD, VA and I have classmates who have received jobs in WA, CA, NY and other places.

My own personal reasons for getting a MSN were as follows 1) I already had a Bachelor's degree - I felt I might as well obtain a degree at a higher level 2) The time commitment was similar - so again might as well go for the higher qualification. If I had been younger and felt I had more time, I may have gone the ASN/ADN route and worked at a hospital that would pay for the bridge to BSN but I did not feel that was a possibility for me.

The only negatives I have or did experience as an MSN prepared nurse was during clinical when I would work with nurses who had their ADN and/or BSN and did not approve or agree with the idea of a person who has never been an RN getting a MSN. Some felt threatened and were sure to tell me an others that we would "never be their boss" or that we would have to "pay our dues". None of us entered into the nursing field or into our MSN program with the idea or goal of starting working at a managerial/leadership level. We all understood - and still understand that we will have to work to gain experience. However I highly disagree with the notion that we are "over-qualified and under experienced". For my program at least, we graduated with over 1000 hours of clinical experience and having taken a great deal of advanced coursework. That was in fact the point of the program - to be prepared as advanced generalists/RN's who can work at the microsystem/unit level to improve patient safety and outcomes while using evidence based practice.

I am in my first job, as an RN, just like any other ADN or BSN prepared colleagues however I do have different options ahead of me that I can begin to leverage in a shorter time frame. For now, I am committed and excited to learn the bed-side role and be part of a good team.

Tl;dr - NO, getting a MSN will not hinder your job prospects. In fact it will provide you with many open doors.

secondcareernurse · Dec 17, 2019

3 hours ago, acindc82 said:
My response is late and so you may have already made your decision however I wanted to weigh in as someone who did an MSN -Direct Entry to practice/career changer. I would absolutely encourage you to go for the MSN over the ADN/ASN or BSN for a number of reasons. I did not have any difficulties finding a job after graduation in May of this year and neither have any of my classmates at different hospitals across the country. I applied for and received multiple offers from hospitals in DC, MD, VA and I have classmates who have received jobs in WA, CA, NY and other places.
My own personal reasons for getting a MSN were as follows 1) I already had a Bachelor's degree - I felt I might as well obtain a degree at a higher level 2) The time commitment was similar - so again might as well go for the higher qualification. If I had been younger and felt I had more time, I may have gone the ASN/ADN route and worked at a hospital that would pay for the bridge to BSN but I did not feel that was a possibility for me.
The only negatives I have or did experience as an MSN prepared nurse was during clinical when I would work with nurses who had their ADN and/or BSN and did not approve or agree with the idea of a person who has never been an RN getting a MSN. Some felt threatened and were sure to tell me an others that we would "never be their boss" or that we would have to "pay our dues". None of us entered into the nursing field or into our MSN program with the idea or goal of starting working at a managerial/leadership level. We all understood - and still understand that we will have to work to gain experience. However I highly disagree with the notion that we are "over-qualified and under experienced". For my program at least, we graduated with over 1000 hours of clinical experience and having taken a great deal of advanced coursework. That was in fact the point of the program - to be prepared as advanced generalists/RN's who can work at the microsystem/unit level to improve patient safety and outcomes while using evidence based practice.
I am in my first job, as an RN, just like any other ADN or BSN prepared colleagues however I do have different options ahead of me that I can begin to leverage in a shorter time frame. For now, I am committed and excited to learn the bed-side role and be part of a good team.
Tl;dr - NO, getting a MSN will not hinder your job prospects. In fact it will provide you with many open doors.

Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s great to hear from successful entry msn nurses!. I’m just starting my pre-reqs but I’ve decided to apply to MSN programs. I fully expect to work my way up from the bottom but this is the most time and cost effective way to get my education and have lots of options down the road.

Ms.Tshep · Dec 17, 2019

9 hours ago, acindc82 said:
My response is late and so you may have already made your decision however I wanted to weigh in as someone who did an MSN -Direct Entry to practice/career changer. I would absolutely encourage you to go for the MSN over the ADN/ASN or BSN for a number of reasons. I did not have any difficulties finding a job after graduation in May of this year and neither have any of my classmates at different hospitals across the country. I applied for and received multiple offers from hospitals in DC, MD, VA and I have classmates who have received jobs in WA, CA, NY and other places.
My own personal reasons for getting a MSN were as follows 1) I already had a Bachelor's degree - I felt I might as well obtain a degree at a higher level 2) The time commitment was similar - so again might as well go for the higher qualification. If I had been younger and felt I had more time, I may have gone the ASN/ADN route and worked at a hospital that would pay for the bridge to BSN but I did not feel that was a possibility for me.
The only negatives I have or did experience as an MSN prepared nurse was during clinical when I would work with nurses who had their ADN and/or BSN and did not approve or agree with the idea of a person who has never been an RN getting a MSN. Some felt threatened and were sure to tell me an others that we would "never be their boss" or that we would have to "pay our dues". None of us entered into the nursing field or into our MSN program with the idea or goal of starting working at a managerial/leadership level. We all understood - and still understand that we will have to work to gain experience. However I highly disagree with the notion that we are "over-qualified and under experienced". For my program at least, we graduated with over 1000 hours of clinical experience and having taken a great deal of advanced coursework. That was in fact the point of the program - to be prepared as advanced generalists/RN's who can work at the microsystem/unit level to improve patient safety and outcomes while using evidence based practice.
I am in my first job, as an RN, just like any other ADN or BSN prepared colleagues however I do have different options ahead of me that I can begin to leverage in a shorter time frame. For now, I am committed and excited to learn the bed-side role and be part of a good team.
Tl;dr - NO, getting a MSN will not hinder your job prospects. In fact it will provide you with many open doors.

Thank you so much! If you don’t mind me asking, what school did you attend?

acindc82 · Dec 24, 2019

Hi Ms. Tshep - I went to Georgetown University (and maybe some of my classmates are reading this or will chime in ? The program was rigorous, challenging and at times seemed ridiculous. However, I am now realizing that it really prepared us well to enter into the nursing field and ask good questions, work well with others and provide great value added.

Now I will be honest and say that it was INSANELY expensive and if you have any way of funding school (regardless of where you go/what degree you do) then I encourage you to pursue it. There is no doubt the ADN/BSN route is MUCH MUCH cheaper - there are more scholarships and cheaper options like community college and in-state tuition for public university. In retrospect, if I were to do anything differently in terms of pursuing my MSN I would have tried to establish residency in MD or VA while I was taking my pre-reqs and then gone to their state universities for nursing which also have excellent MSN programs but with a much lower cost.