Minnesota LPN vs BSN program-can't decide which to choose

U.S.A. Minnesota

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Hello everybody,

I just got accepted into two Minnesota nursing programs -

#1 BSN at Globe University/MSB (nationally accredited, Nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, and accredited by CCNE). Program will take 3 years to complete.This program is expensive,>$600 per credit...:mad: it will be difficult to afford, but still doable.

#2 LPN at College(regionally accredited, nursing program accredited by CCNE).Program will take 1 year.

Tuition cost is twice as cheap as #1...

If I were to choose #2,I will apply to LPN-ADN or LPN-BSN program soon after I graduate.

My eventual goal is to get a graduate degree(Nurse Anesthesist or PA) after working a few years post-BSN.

I am having trouble deciding which program to choose.

My biggest concern is that LPN-to-BSN programs are very hard to get in,and it will take longer time to get BSN if I were to choose #2 as opposed to going straight for BSN and #1.

On the other hand,I have heard negative things about national accreditation...but mainly for college credit transfers.My understanding is that graduate schools and employers will generally accept BSN from #1.

Both programs expect me to reply with 'accept'/'don't accept' within the next couple of weeks.Any advice? I am very interested to hear from someone familiar with these schools and/or Minnesota nursing job market.

I'd really appreciate if you could help!

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Specializes in Mental Health.

To be honest with you, I talked to someone who went to and they were Pi**ed.. she told me ALL their clinical rotations were at nursing homes and they were responsible to find their own place to do their peds rotation! Whatever area of the state you're in, be sure to ask them, at both places, where they have contracts to do clinicals before you commit.

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RN program would be my recommendation. I was a nursing director in MN before retiring and we were not hiring LPN's anymore. There were few students coming through. Most of their rotations were in long term care. Plus if you're looking at CRNA or PA you're better off to get your RN and get some experience under your belt. CRNA schools want at least a year of critical care. PA schools want to see some experience, particularly if you'e going to specialize. The initial outlay will be more but I think you get what you pay for.

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

To be honest, I have never heard anything good about .

And frankly, here in the TC, the job market is soooooooo tight, even on good non recession years, you are competing with grads from St Kates and Bethel, both of which have great name recognition and respect.

Also, pretty much none of the major hosptials hire LPN's anymore- given your overall career goals, you want to be able to get a foot in the doors of hospitals ASAP. I can also tell you that at least locally, pretty much no MSN programs will even let you apply til you have at least two years on the job experience.

so in short, do the BSN- yes the LPN is initially cheaper, but how much cheaper is it with the cost of the LPN-RN factored in?

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As an LPN in WI, I would encourage you to go with the BSN. Having a one year Practical Nursing degree, is far less valuable in the long run. Yes, it is cheaper initially, but overall you can do so much more with a BSN. As an LPN, I am limitted here to clinics/nursing home settings/med-surg in hospital setting.

I had figured, I can always go back to school to get RN degree...I am smart, and made honors in the LPN program, BUT what I hadn't factored in was...

Going back for RN isn't quite as easy as schools tend to make it sound. I have tried various times to go back and finish RN degree...lots of hoops to jump through, as well as 3 (three!!) year waiting lists in my area. If I were to do school all over again (and if i was younger) I would have at least done the ADN program right away!! BSN though, seems to open many more doors. Good luck in which ever you decide to do.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I recommend BSN program. You will earn more money and have much more flexibility in your career.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

My vote- Go for the BSN!!!! Get it done with! Instead of working your way up slowly over 10 years... CNA, TMA, LPN, ADN now trying to figure out how to work in BSN in my busy schedule.

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Where are you at in MN? Minn State Community and Tech offers the Associates RN. Then you can do 9 more months online through MSU-Moorhead for your BSN. I am going to MSCTC for my RN and then I will be taking my online. Their program is very reasonable only about 5000 a year and Wadena, Fergus Falls and Detriot Lakes all offer the 1 year LPN and 2 yr RN. Moorhead is the only one that you have to do prereqs b4 starting the nursing program. I would NOT go to . A lot of their credits don't transfer (no matter that they tell you they do). Good Luck in your search!:)

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Specializes in PMHNP.

My advise is to not attend either one. Go for your associates RN at a community college ( a fraction of the price of globe university ) or choose a state university if you want to get your BSN. MN is so saturated with nurses right now, but some are still finding jobs in home health or nursing homes. EVERYONE wants to work at a hospital, but many union hospitals have had their rounds of lay offs due to the economy. When they do start hiring again I am sure they will have their pick of those who are the "cream of the crop" in their graduating nursing class.

If you do decide to go for your BSN at Globe just remember that your take home pay minus your massive student loan payment may put your net income around that of an LPN. Also, if you want to continue your education do your credits transfer to other universities with NP/PA programs? You need to find this information out before you sign anything.

One more thing..........and I am curious if my speculations are correct so feedback appreciated.........but it seems like those who received their BSN from private or state universities have a more competitive edge in the job market. I think employers look at for-profit schools like Globe and and see their nursing program and/or nursing student selection process inferior to those at the private/state schools.

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Specializes in Mental Health.
My advise is to not attend either one. Go for your associates RN at a community college ( a fraction of the price of globe university ) or choose a state university if you want to get your BSN. MN is so saturated with nurses right now, but some are still finding jobs in home health or nursing homes. EVERYONE wants to work at a hospital, but many union hospitals have had their rounds of lay offs due to the economy. When they do start hiring again I am sure they will have their pick of those who are the "cream of the crop" in their graduating nursing class.

If you do decide to go for your BSN at Globe just remember that your take home pay minus your massive student loan payment may put your net income around that of an LPN. Also, if you want to continue your education do your credits transfer to other universities with NP/PA programs? You need to find this information out before you sign anything.

One more thing..........and I am curious if my speculations are correct so feedback appreciated.........but it seems like those who received their BSN from private or state universities have a more competitive edge in the job market. I think employers look at for-profit schools like Globe and Rasmussen and see their nursing program and/or nursing student selection process inferior to those at the private/state schools.

I'd have to agree.. I looked.. my last semesters tuition for everything, cept books, was 241.00 a credit..

St Cloud State University.. awesome BSN program.. awesome professors/clinical instructors, awesome clinical rotations.. Brand new labs completed this year. Highly regarded around the state and western N Dak by employers. First time NCLEX pass rate always near 100%.. they prepared us well. :)

It is highly competitive to get in but well worth it. I looked into Globe too and decided no way.. focused all my energy to get in there.. so happy I did and got in.

Anoka Ramsey CC or North Hennepin's ADN program would be good too. I looked into it but a BSN only took me 1 extra semester.. it was a no brainer for me.. if there's any way you can, definitely go for your BSN.

I think employers look at for-profit schools like Globe and Rasmussen and see their nursing program and/or nursing student selection process inferior to those at the private/state schools.
I totally agree with this.. I coulda got into Globe by signing up and paying.. I'd look into state schools and CC's over either of those.

In any event.. best of luck to you!

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Do not go to . If you just graduated from high school or will be, go to a bigger school. If you really wanted to go for nursing, go for an RN schol right away. LPNs do not get paid as you think they do. Not all the nursing homes and facilities hire LPNs. RNs work straight in the hospitals as soon as they graduate and get their license. PLUS, Rasmussen isn't the kind of school you would want to go to. Trust me, been there done that. If I had the choice to take back time, I wouldn't even try inquiring at that school. They accept you because they need $$. :mad: Anyway, you're better off going to a school that will give you a bachelor's degree or at least a certificate that you are a registered nurse, and not just a practical nurse. RNs get bigger salary, too. Now I have to find a way to transfer my credits from that school to an RN school!!!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Moved to MN Nursing Programs discussion

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