MSN without BSN

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Hi I am completing my ADN program in a couple of months and looking to go straight into my NP. I have looked at several programs for ADN-NP. Some programs will give you a BSN and MSN others will only give you the MSN. My question is: Will it matter when I apply for NP jobs that I only have a MSN and no BSN or do I NEED the BSN? I have no previous bachelors degree I am an LVN.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

No, you do not need the BSN. However, you should consider a few things. First, because there are so many fewer direct ADN-MSN programs, you may find that tuition is a lot higher than if you found a traditional MSN program that requires a BSN. Having that BSN opens up a lot more options for programs. It's fast and inexpensive to get a BSN. You may find that you will pay less money overall if you do an online BSN program first, then enroll in a traditional MSN program, than if you do an ADN-MSN program. And finally, you never know what life might throw at you, and there is value to getting that BSN. You may decide that you want to take a break midway through your studies. Or you may change your mind about what MSN you want to get. Or about getting one at all. You may WANT that BSN.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I always thought you needed to take BSN level classes before your MSN. These graduate programs requirements keep sinking lower and lower. Probably the biggest problem you will have is trying to get an NP job with no practical nursing experience. Personally, I think you are doing yourself and patients a disservice by going from LPN to NP without any RN work.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Hi I am completing my ADN program in a couple of months and looking to go straight into my NP. I have looked at several programs for ADN-NP. Some programs will give you a BSN and MSN others will only give you the MSN. My question is: Will it matter when I apply for NP jobs or any RN position that I only have a MSN and no BSN or do I NEED the BSN? I have no previous bachelors degree. I am an LVN.

Thanks in advance!

If your end-goal is working as an NP than don't worry about the BSN en route.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I always thought you needed to take BSN level classes before your MSN. These graduate programs requirements keep sinking lower and lower. Probably the biggest problem you will have is trying to get an NP job with no practical nursing experience. Personally, I think you are doing yourself and patients a disservice by going from LPN to NP without any RN work.

There are very reputable programs that offer ADN-MSN programs with the addition of a few classes to their extant curriculum; they tend to be very selective in admissions but have a long history of producing quality NPs.

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It won't matter for most NP jobs. The problem would be if something happened in the middle of your program (e.g. you get sick, kids get sick, lose your funding) and you had to abandon the program you would not be able to call yourself a BSN - no BSN degree.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I don't imagine it will have any negative consequences if you have an RN license after obtaining your ADN. The only problems I have heard about are mobility-related issues associated with entry-level MSN... for non RN students. This is because some state nurse practice acts only approve Diploma/ADN/BSN as the educational foundation for RNs. Therefore, an entry-level MSN would not be eligible for licensure by reciprocity in that state.

Just to be clear, an ADN- MSN curriculum usually has some courses that combine undergrad (BSN) and graduate (MSN) content into one course &/or they just skip the undergrad course entirely. Just keep in mind that those courses are going to quite a bit more challenging than the usual BSN curriculum. If you want more information about the essential differences between BSN & MSN requirements, AACN has some documents that you can review.

Wishing you all the best on your continuing educational journey.

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Specializes in ER.

In all honesty, it was cheaper for me to earn my BSN and then go for a MSN than it was to complete the ADN to MSN route. The ADN to MSN added on about 15k whereas the BSN was between 5-8k (forget the exact amount).

There are also more options for the MSN.

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Thanks guys! Im going back to my original plan of getting my BSN then MSN. I was trying to save time and money but I think in the long run it will be better this way

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Specializes in Psych/Med Surg/Ortho/Tele/Peds.
Thanks guys! Im going back to my original plan of getting my BSN then MSN. I was trying to save time and money but I think in the long run it will be better this way

After seeing this thread, I may do the same. I ultimately want to become an FNP/DNP and realize I won't have the critical thinking or academic experience until I complete my BSN and have a couple of years of MedSurg under my belt.

Thanks for this thread. Best to you!

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Best of luck to you too!

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Specializes in ER.

I think the better selection of schools helped with my decision. A BSN is not that hard to earn since most of the work was done during the initial RN Program. I do recommend using PERRLA for helping to cite properly

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