2nd degree BSN vs. Nursing Master's

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Hi there! I have a bachelors in psychology but recently decided I wanted to be a nurse instead. I have been accepted to 2 schools: 1 to get my second bachelors degree in nursing, and the other is a masters entry program for nursing.

Which school should I go to? Is it better to have a masters degree in the nursing field? Or will that hold me back because I will have a higher degree but no real nursing experience? I know that with psychology you can't get a job without a masters degree but I have no idea how nursing works.

I would greatly appreciate any info or advice! Thanks!! :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I don't understand how you can be accepted into a Master's program without ever having being an RN first. Most Grad programs require your RN license, which you'd acquire after your bachelors program AND at least a year's experience working in the actual field.

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answer is "it depends," lol. if you are interested in research or independent practice in any field, having the mn will open doors for you. you are correct that having little to no floor experience will be a temporary roadblock to some things; be honest with potential employers, keep a low profile, and be a new grad like your peer hires, and the cream will rise to the top :} nobody ever regretted more education. do the mn and you'll be glad you did.

good luck!

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there are plenty of bs-in-anything-to-mn programs. good option for self-directed people who aren't afraid of work.

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I don't understand how you can be accepted into a Master's program without ever having being an RN first. Most Grad programs require your RN license, which you'd acquire after your bachelors program AND at least a year's experience working in the actual field.

There are several direct entry MSN programs where you graduate to take the NCLEX. It's not a new topic to the board...

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

MSN are great but problem is....(and this is why I don't understand why there are EL-MSN programs out)

to my understanding...the entry level masters of nursing programs are for people who don't have a nursing background and want to get their RN. The problem I see is that you have no nursing experience but have a masters? I think having a masters makes you over-qualified for regular floor RN work. If you wanted to get your NP with your masters, but again you don't have RN experience.

Maybe I am confused bout the whole thing, but I would get your BSN. You won't be over qualified enough to get some regular RN experience, THEN get your MSN, that way if you want to be an NP or something then at least you have some experience to bounce off of, rather than sitting with your master's with no experience, no one will hire you.

If you want to do research then get your MSN!

***I may be wrong but that is what I know of the graduate level nursing programs, if I am wrong please correct me! thanks!

Good Luck

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I don't understand how you can be accepted into a Master's program without ever having being an RN first. Most Grad programs require your RN license, which you'd acquire after your bachelors program AND at least a year's experience working in the actual field.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF

Scroll to the last page- those are the direct entry MSN programs available in the US as of 2009.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
There are several direct entry MSN programs where you graduate to take the NCLEX. It's not a new topic to the board...

That's why I said I don't understand. I didn't realize there was such a program out there. I don't spend my free time constantly reading "the boards" to know that it's even been mentioned on here. A simple explanation would have been great.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

And thanks to the others for the info :)

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That's why I said I don't understand. I didn't realize there was such a program out there. I don't spend my free time constantly reading "the boards" to know that it's even been mentioned on here. A simple explanation would have been great.

What was complicated about saying there "are several direct entry MSN programs where you graduate to take the NCLEX"? That's a direct entry MSN in a nutshell, plus a link to a list of such programs...

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I meant to say JUST a simple explanation. I thought your "its not a new topic to the board" comment was unnecessary. Maybe you weren't trying to be rude, you can never tell through posts how people are saying things. If not, sorry for getting defensive.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Given the choice between one degree and another higher level degree I'd almost always choose the higher degree all else being equal of course.

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