Masters in Nursing

Nurses Career Support

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I'm currently in my 2nd year of the BScN program and loving it!!! I have been hearing a lot about nurse practitioners lately and it is definitely something that I am interested in pursuing. However, I am wondering what the best way of doing this would be. Either:

1) doing my Masters right after I finish my BScN or

2) working as an RN for a couple years and then going back to school for my Masters

Right now I think that it would be a good idea to work as an RN first in order to get used to it and improve on the knowledge and skills that I will have learned in nursing school but my concern is that once I start working, it will be a lot harder to get myself back in school, whereas taking my Masters right after my BScN would be an easier transition since I'd be "on a roll" in terms of being in school without stopping for a couple years in between.

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?? I really appreciate it!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I understand because once I got my ADN it took my 16 years to finally get back and finish up my BSN. So not wanting to wait while you're in the grove is definitely a consideration.

However, I would advise to get some practical real life experience as an RN before becoming an advanced practioner. At least a year or two. Perhaps while you're donig this you can attend classes part time and maby take a couple of the generic intro classes like Assessment, Pathophys. or something like that.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

ocean,

I agree with Tweety. A BScN is a 'generalist' degree (like an ADN & Dip). An clinical MSN (CNS, CCRN, CNM, NP, etc) degree is focused on a specialty area. You really need to practice a while in order to determine what specialty area you want to pursue & build a competence foundation before you make the leap into grad school.

NP programs have a significant clinical practice requirement, including an internship. Most clinical grad programs have a minimum practice requirement for acceptance. The basic assumption is that you are already a fully functioning competent nurse because the grad school practicum is focused on 'higher learning' and enhanced clinical skills. It is fast-paced environment with very high expectations and there is no accomodation for learning basic skills.

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I understand because once I got my ADN it took my 16 years to finally get back and finish up my BSN. So not wanting to wait while you're in the grove is definitely a consideration.

However, I would advise to get some practical real life experience as an RN before becoming an advanced practioner. At least a year or two. Perhaps while you're donig this you can attend classes part time and maby take a couple of the generic intro classes like Assessment, Pathophys. or something like that.

Good luck!

I have a question...

Does anyone know of a masters program that allows you to polish off a few classes "outside" the program before entering? I am only just becoming a BSN graduate next year, but I am interested in pursuing further education at a later time. With my family just starting, I am anticipating a need to get through school on terms that bode well with my family first (part time?!), and my career aspirations second.

This may be putting the cart in front of the horse at this stage, as I really don't know what kind of a nurse I will be when I grow up anyway!

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