2nd degree BSN vs. Nursing Master's

[dsimms2]

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!! :)

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

You could become a psych clinical nurse specialist too, instead of or in addition to becoming a psych nurse practitioner. I'm the former and truly enjoy the job.

[dsimms2]

Thank you all so much for your input! I really appreciate it!

[chicagogirl]

Thank you, HiddenCat. I have been looking into the same programs that were listed in your material. The same schools are still in standing and I believe UIC is revamping their program in 2015. I have had one heck of a time trying to figure out if I need RN experience under my belt before jumping into a very expensive MSN program where I will have no RN experience once I graduate. I am starting to think a very slow climb to get to the MSN/NP will be my best bet. It is very tempting to apply to the GEM programs at UIC or at Rush because I do not have an RN license and I have two degrees in an unrelated field. The programs look great on paper but I am really looking for the hands on training that an associate's or bachelor's will offer at a less expensive program.

[Keenabeena88]

I may be super late but @MaleFocker I was wondering what school you were accepted to that offered the BSN en route to the MSN? I am interested in Georgia Regents but my options are open because it offers the MSN-CNL but the BSN is separate altogether. I too have a BS Psychology and a second bachelors which I completed simultaneously in Pholosophy/religion and am eager to get my masters mostly to avoid another bachelors. I would not mind working as a floor nurse with a masters and I intend to get the licensure necessary to be qualified in the CNL if indeed I want to go that route but I guess I am looking at the educational attainment and I cannot see any bad. Now some of the schools I have seen levered the entry level nursing into a DNP...