2nd degree BSN vs. ELMSN, (Entry level MSN)?

[ggg112]

Hello everyone,

I had a question I was hoping that maybe someone could help me with getting some clarity with.

I'm a 42 y/o male looking to transition into nursing with the end goal, (as of now), to become a FNP.  I'm undecided between undertaking a 2nd degree BSN or an Entry Level MSN.

I need to decide soon, because of having to do a couple pre reqs for ea degree.  Coincidentally, they both end up being the same cost wise, and very similar time wise.

It's been about 15 years since my last degree, and although I was leaning more towards the ELMSN, I wasn't sure if the core curriculum would be a great deal harder and worth the ROI, for that degree.

I have no issues with working hard, and I know anything in nursing will require that, which I'm 100/o.k. with. 

However I'm big with R.O.I. as I've done that approach to school and work in the past vs. working and studying like a masochist for very little, if nothing, in return.  Therefore if there is very little difference between the two, in regards to obtaining work and/or providing any additional advantages in obtaining my FNP later, I would opt for the bachelor's, however, if the ELMSN does truly offer better possibilities with work and for the FNP, obviously I'd pick that route.

 

Just for reference, so as to not be taken in the wrong context, in my profession, Physical Therapy, (I'm a PTA of 15 years), most (key word, "most"), Physical Therapists that are in their early to mid 40's, or older, and have a MPT, (Master's of Physical Therapy), the ROI for them to obtain their DPT, (Doctortate), isn't worth it.

  Not to say the DPT is not valuable, or saying anything against higher education, but many employees would can actually hold that against them, (ie; ask them to leave their jobs bc of having to pay higher rates for PRN replacements)" and they will not be reimbursed for their higher degree, and most of the clinical education that would be more advantageous for these therapists would be found via additional CEUs, certs, etc.

Thank you in advance to anyone's/everyone's suggestions.

 

[celticwoman123, MSN, RN]

Hello,

I will finishing my ELMSN program in December and my end goal is nurse practitioner as well. Both BSN and MSN routes will require you to usually have at least 1 year of bedside nursing experience before applying to NP. The biggest difference I have found in my research is that with an MSN you will only need to get a post masters certificate which can be done in a lot of programs that offer fully online curriculum and then in person clinical hours. The difference ends up being around 30 credits as opposed to a whole other masters degree which is around 70 credits. I think if the cost and time are similar, the ELMSN is the better route for you end goal. 

Best of luck!

[ggg112]

Thank you so much for the response, recommendation, and clarification of my dilemma.

What is your overall, general opinion, thus far of the ELMSN program that you're in?

Did/do you feel overwhelmed at all jumping right into a masters in a completely different and very involved field? 

Also, does the ELMSN require extensive amounts of papers/reports to be written?, (I'm curious as to how this would compare, generally, to most second degree BSN programs).

 

Thanks again!