MSN in nursing for people with different bachelors good deal?

Rekt · Sep 1, 2017

I work in a magnet hospital and was hired with an ASN. Was never told I needed a BSN, but obtained it for myself. There are no MSNs working bedside where I am. And if there are where you are located, that just tells me how ridiculously saturated your market is.

*eye roll*Maybe you should reread what I stated. "Prefer" is not a requirement.

Rekt · Sep 1, 2017

First of all, thete ate tons of threads on here about this. Second, I have personally talked to HR reps in different hospitals in my local area. They won't hire it.
It's the OPs time and money, not mine so they can do with it what they want. The clinical experience the OP is talking about is not the same as actual working RN experience. My clinical experience was not considered on my resume when finding a job.
And depending on what area of the country you are in, ASN and BSN degrees have no issues finding jobs. Southern CA is not one of those areas as it is quite impacted right now. The new grad unemployment rate out there last time I saw was around 45%.
It seems to me, the OP has vaguely researched programs and tracks to become a MSN but not the job market and the employability of an Entry level MSN. A MSN is not the "new degree" needed for bedside. I have yet to encounter a bedside MSN.
But like I said, not my $100k to spend, it's the OPs.

Oh it must be true because you haven't seen a bedside msn employee. I guess they don't exist. OP don't spend your money on higher education get an ADN. Nothing more to see here folks, LovingLife123 has ALL the facts.

acires · Sep 1, 2017

I am looking at Western University of health science entry level Masters and wanted to get your opinions on whether it is worth it or just go the ABSN route. For their program it is 3 years and you get your bsn and then it is required you work in a hospital for a certain number of hours to get your msn. So theoretically you would graduate with a MSN with a years of clinical experience it looks like. If you then like to become a NP you can apply to their FNP program directly which would be about 4 years.
Now I am interested in nursing, but I would have to say I am also interested in the administration side of things as well. I like options. Would going this route open a lot of doors in the future? or is it better to just go the ABSN route? Tuition is about 100k on their website not including the FNP program. To me it kind of seems that going back school to get another bachelors is disheartening. LIke it was a complete waste of my time. I currently have a bachelors in biology.
Here is their website please take a look before commenting. Welcome - Master of Science in Nursing - Entry (MSN)

Why don't you just do an entry-level case management MSN? Something like this: ELMSN Case Management | Samuel Merritt University

The answer to your question depends on so many factors, most importantly where you see yourself. I'm applying to a direct-entry MSN and my decision was based on time, money, and future goals.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 1, 2017

Before you incur this much debt, please run the numbers: FinAid | Calculators | Loan Calculator

That is going to be some steep repayment for years.

PnwRN84 · Sep 8, 2017

I've been a ED nurse for 12 years, have watched brand new nurses leave for grad school- they don't even know sick from not sick. You need to be an experienced nurse before you make a good APN. Otherwise you're dangerous.

I have a friend who moved to Cali and is currently in Westerns program. I've seen the website. I've seen the course listing. He texts me every day about what he's doing. I see the expectations. Its not worth it. Not in dollars and cents, and not for what you get out of it. You do save time- but people get so caught up in the time aspect...you actually need that time to develop your skills as a nurse. To hone in your assessment skills, to know a sick patient from across the room, to know what subtle changes mean your patient is much sicker than they appear. You're much better off with a less expensive BSN bridge where you can get in the field and get your feet wet. If it turns out admin is your thing, there are online MBA, nurse admin, or MSN tracts that will cost you a lot less (and your job will hopefully give you some reimbursement). And, in plenty of cases, you can start a admin job with just a BSN as long as you agree to advance your degree by a certain date.

I also agree with with the above poster- Being essentially a new grad with a Master's degree puts you in an awkward spot. Advanced degrees come with higher salaries that are typically reserved for more experienced nurses. Certainly a valid point to consider.

Also pay pay close attention: as a new grad you're expected to work and continue school full time through your Bachelors and Master's. I worked full time + weekly overtime through all my degrees, but for some that may be an issue. Just saying.

Also look closely at the Masters tracts. You don't end up with a NP; you'd need a post master's certificate for that (and I got my master's out of state- post master's certificates can be hard to obtain).

Save your money, pick a BSN bridge. You'll get the same benefit and opportunity for advancement without $100k in loans.

PixieRN1 · Sep 9, 2017

Saw this post by someone who got their msn.
"I'm in the minority here on this sub, but let me offer the alternative perspective for you to consider. There is not a right or wrong answer, you decide what's best for your situation. Here are some thoughts cut and pasted from my previous responses to similar threads:
Look at the degree as basically a glorified BSN. I went through 4 years of undergrad to get my B.S. in Psych. Worked random jobs, decided I wanted to go into a stable career. Took some pre-reqs at a community college, and I was accepted to the MSN-RN program. (I actually considered the BSN at the community college but their director told me to do MSN instead because I already had a B.S.) The program is 16 months or 4 semesters. You basically get the same foundation lectures and clinical experience (we actually got about 100 more hours than our BSN cohorts), but a few extra stats/leadership classes. Bonus, my program was a Clinical Nurse Leader prep, so I elected to take the test at graduation and came out of school with a national certification already on my resume. Myself and my classmates had ZERO problems finding a job. We all work in metro Atlanta and received job offers within a few weeks of applying. I was offered a position the day after my interview.
I started an RN residency program with BSN graduates. We're treated as the same. The only thing is, my degree will go further in the long run. I'll be paid more by the hour (especially at facilities like the VA), have a quicker route to advance, and more job options/a higher ceiling after getting a few years of bedside experience.
This is where I have a hard time understanding everyone else's advice, why would you go back to undergrad to get a second bachelor's degree? Unless you save a lot of money going ABSN v. MSN, there's almost no reason not to go MSN. Yes, you come out of school with 0 experience, but guess what, so do all BSN-RN graduates!
If you have any specific questions, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer them.
I will add that a few of my classmates are already enrolled in NP programs, so they didn't seem to have any issues with getting accepted into higher education programs with less than 1 year experience. As for me, I was able to leave bedside/my former institution and get a new job with Kasier Permanente in under 2 weeks. Many of my peers told me they've applied to KP system for years and couldn't get in. Now I have a cushy job handling referrals and I get paid $7 more than my bedside job. COME ON MAN."
I live in socal what are your thoughts? I do kind of lean towards the administration side of things i like to have options i guess.

For me personally, and I stress PERSONALLY, I would never pay 100k for any degree in nursing. No way no how. Unless you come from money or have a financial situation where that amount of money doesn't seem like a big deal, there is a very slim chance that repaying that debt load on a nursing salary (even in administration) would be a comfortable scenario.

Now, I'm no expert, but I have been a nurse for 15 years in various states, in both rural and urban areas. And nurses are paid by years of nursing experience. Of course administration makes more at base than a staff nurse, but we aren't talking about wads and wads of cash here unless you are a CNO. It took me over ten years of nursing experience before a I made a comfortable wage, with a BSN.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I really have no opinion of the TYPE of program you are seeking because frankly I don't know enough about it. However, I am saying that the debt load you are talking about is huge and not commiserate with the field you are going into.

I am getting my master's now, to become an LSATP. It's a three and a half year program at a private, regular, brick-and-mortar university. The TOTAL tuition cost is $30,000...for three and a half years.

I chose that school in part because of the program and in part because that tuition is reasonable for me to take out loans for and be able to pay back comfortably with the salary I would be able to reasonably earn as PixieRN1, MS, BSN, RN, LSATP, when that day comes along.

If you really like that format, I really encourage you to shop around. I get that you don't want to have two bachelor's degrees. Heck, I have my BS in Biology and then went back and got my second degree in a straight-up BSN program. It sucks. I get it.

But I just cannot wrap my brain around the concept of paying 100k and not having an MD, DNP, or a PhD behind my name at the end of it.

I wish you luck with your decision.

2bABLE · Sep 14, 2017

Hello Pekt, EMT-B,

Now that you mention it, I have a few questions for you. I am a new BSN graduate nurse that is continuing on with my education for my NP certificate. Many people have been discouraging me to immediately continue on and suggests that I get some bedside experience. What positives can you give me about not going that route and immediately applying for grad school? I am torn on which route to go thinking I may not make a very competent NP without the experience everyone is talking about... Please give me insight as to whether my decision is appropriate so that I am not the only one trying to fulfill this insatiable desire to move forward as a NP immediately after finishing my BSN.. Thank you so much in advance for your advice.

kiknox · Sep 14, 2017

Saw this post by someone who got their msn.
"I'm in the minority here on this sub, but let me offer the alternative perspective for you to consider. There is not a right or wrong answer, you decide what's best for your situation. Here are some thoughts cut and pasted from my previous responses to similar threads:
Look at the degree as basically a glorified BSN. I went through 4 years of undergrad to get my B.S. in Psych. Worked random jobs, decided I wanted to go into a stable career. Took some pre-reqs at a community college, and I was accepted to the MSN-RN program. (I actually considered the BSN at the community college but their director told me to do MSN instead because I already had a B.S.) The program is 16 months or 4 semesters. You basically get the same foundation lectures and clinical experience (we actually got about 100 more hours than our BSN cohorts), but a few extra stats/leadership classes. Bonus, my program was a Clinical Nurse Leader prep, so I elected to take the test at graduation and came out of school with a national certification already on my resume. Myself and my classmates had ZERO problems finding a job. We all work in metro Atlanta and received job offers within a few weeks of applying. I was offered a position the day after my interview.
I started an RN residency program with BSN graduates. We're treated as the same. The only thing is, my degree will go further in the long run. I'll be paid more by the hour (especially at facilities like the VA), have a quicker route to advance, and more job options/a higher ceiling after getting a few years of bedside experience.
This is where I have a hard time understanding everyone else's advice, why would you go back to undergrad to get a second bachelor's degree? Unless you save a lot of money going ABSN v. MSN, there's almost no reason not to go MSN. Yes, you come out of school with 0 experience, but guess what, so do all BSN-RN graduates!
If you have any specific questions, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer them.
I will add that a few of my classmates are already enrolled in NP programs, so they didn't seem to have any issues with getting accepted into higher education programs with less than 1 year experience. As for me, I was able to leave bedside/my former institution and get a new job with Kasier Permanente in under 2 weeks. Many of my peers told me they've applied to KP system for years and couldn't get in. Now I have a cushy job handling referrals and I get paid $7 more than my bedside job. COME ON MAN."
I live in socal what are your thoughts? I do kind of lean towards the administration side of things i like to have options i guess.

--- I was just accepted into an Entry level accelerated MSN program for Spring 18-- what advice do you have for such accelerated programs?? I'm glad to read you did not struggle finding a job, I live in MI and I believe it's about the same. I am in Detroit, and there are a slew of jobs open. I was worried about being "overqualified", but I am eager to get the bedside experience, so that I can later advance. A lot of my mentors started out in a second degree program and are now VPs at some of our top hospitals..