2nd degree student-What path do I take?

Matlock · Apr 11, 2005

I have a BBA and I want to go back to school to become an RN. My long term goal is to eventually get my MSN. My first questions is if I got an ADN, could I then get my MSN since I already have a bachelors degree or do I have to have a BSN to get a MSN? Another thing that I have to consider is money.
Jen-
I am in a similar situation - I have a BS degree and will likely be pursuing an ADN. All of the MSN programs that I have looked into in my area will allow you to pursue an MSN with an ADN and an undergraduate degree in another field (not BSN) However, they did say that there would be some bridge classes that I would have to take. I would contact schools in your area and see what they say.
Matlock

Foxfour · Apr 11, 2005

I went back to receive my BSN after I had already graduated from college. I too was considering whether to go for my ADN or BSN. The difference was 2 more full-time summer sessions, so I decided to get my BSN. I don't know what you are lacking, but that is an aspect that you might (or perhaps already have considered) what to think about.

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 13, 2005

I have a BBA and I want to go back to school to become an RN. My long term goal is to eventually get my MSN. My first questions is if I got an ADN, could I then get my MSN since I already have a bachelors degree or do I have to have a BSN to get a MSN?
Sorry for all the quesitons! Any insight or advice would be great! Thanks!

Hi Jenjen22.

I also am completing my BA and have completed my pre-reqs for both an ADN program and also a direct entry/graduate entry program.

The ADN will take me less actual class time for the pre-NCLEX but, I will not be eligible for graduate student loans, (which I really need to help out).

Also, once accepted into the GEP, (hopefully) I will have my MSN/NP specialty already chosen and would be accepted into the program.

This may be interesting to you too depending on the schools near you. They are about as competitive as the ADN programs, seems like the BSN are the easiest to get accepted to though and since you already have the core complete for your BA you may be able to transfer to a BSN as quick or quicker than getting into the ADN.

There is lots for you to check out and calculate. Maybe you would like to talk to some school advisors, (the ADN may not even talk to you until you have all of the pre-reqs done though!)

In the student nursing forum there is a long thread about direct entry programs, it may have some information you would be interested in.

Good luck!!

Gen

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Apr 13, 2005

most likely, the specific pre reqs will be the same for all areas in your program. such as, the chem, the a&p. since you already have the gen ed, iy will take you the same amount of time to do both the AS or the BS.

Go for the BS is my opinion. and im an ADN nurse.

galaxy781 · Apr 15, 2005

HI!!!

I am totally in the same situation, let me start off by saying I am in Cincinnati OHio!

I graduated from Ohio State Univ. in June 2004 with a BA in Psych and Soc, I have been job hunting since and have found NOTHING!!! Thus I have decided to pursue a nursing degree. Here is what I have done. There are several tracks that you can go:

1. If you already have your bachelors there are several programs that allow you to enter strait into a masters program! Either MN or MSN. If you have good enough grades and have all the prereqs (microbio, nutrition,a&p, psych and soc 100) you can go strait to your masters in nursing no matter what your bachelors degree was in!! These are the best option as if you already have one bachelors and get a BSN you wont be eligible for any financial aid except loans, in a masters program you will be eligible for more. The program that I am enrolled in is not a masters of science in nursing but just a masters in nursing, that way I am not eligible to be a nurse practitioner but I will come out suitable for teaching or management or just regualar nursing if I want, where as BSNs would need some more experience. I will done in one year!:) OTher MSN programs generally last 2 years.

2.You can go back and get your BSN and then get your MSN, chances are if you already have your bachelors you have most of the General ED classes and would be able to go right into clinicals.

3.You could also get an associates (RN) which is 2 years. THere are many programs that are called "bridge" programs which take associate or diploma nurses and takes them right to a masters degree. RN to MSN. As I was told today teachers from my school actually go to hospitals and teach the bridge classes there and sometimes based on time with the hospital they will pay for your classes!

There are many tracks you can go, it really depends on what you want to do! If you want to teach or work in a supervisory role Id reccommend going strait into your masters program, you be out anywhere from 12-24 months and youd have a masters! If you dont think you can get accepted to a masters program(dont looe hope i didnt think id ever get in to any masters programs, as I had wayyyy to much fun in college but I did!) Id get an associates as its much cheaper than a BSN and then work for awhile and go back and bridge strait to an MSN. The pay difference between RN and BSN is not a whole lot maybe 5$ hour about. I actually started out in an associates program and I only ended up needing A&P,MIcrobio and nutrition. It ended up being two quarters and then I was on the waitlist for clinicals, unfortunetly the waitlist was way to long so that promted me to look into masters programs and im soo glad I did, I start May 16th of this year and Ill be done by next August with my masters! Im so excited:)

Good luck to you!! If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected]!!! :chuckle

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Apr 16, 2005

HI!!!
I am totally in the same situation, let me start off by saying I am in Cincinnati OHio!
I graduated from Ohio State Univ. in June 2004 with a BA in Psych and Soc, I have been job hunting since and have found NOTHING!!! Thus I have decided to pursue a nursing degree. Here is what I have done. There are several tracks that you can go:
1. If you already have your bachelors there are several programs that allow you to enter strait into a masters program! Either MN or MSN. If you have good enough grades and have all the prereqs (microbio, nutrition,a&p, psych and soc 100) you can go strait to your masters in nursing no matter what your bachelors degree was in!! These are the best option as if you already have one bachelors and get a BSN you wont be eligible for any financial aid except loans, in a masters program you will be eligible for more. The program that I am enrolled in is not a masters of science in nursing but just a masters in nursing, that way I am not eligible to be a nurse practitioner but I will come out suitable for teaching or management or just regualar nursing if I want, where as BSNs would need some more experience. I will done in one year!:) OTher MSN programs generally last 2 years.
2.You can go back and get your BSN and then get your MSN, chances are if you already have your bachelors you have most of the General ED classes and would be able to go right into clinicals.
3.You could also get an associates (RN) which is 2 years. THere are many programs that are called "bridge" programs which take associate or diploma nurses and takes them right to a masters degree. RN to MSN. As I was told today teachers from my school actually go to hospitals and teach the bridge classes there and sometimes based on time with the hospital they will pay for your classes!
There are many tracks you can go, it really depends on what you want to do! If you want to teach or work in a supervisory role Id reccommend going strait into your masters program, you be out anywhere from 12-24 months and youd have a masters! If you dont think you can get accepted to a masters program(dont looe hope i didnt think id ever get in to any masters programs, as I had wayyyy to much fun in college but I did!) Id get an associates as its much cheaper than a BSN and then work for awhile and go back and bridge strait to an MSN. The pay difference between RN and BSN is not a whole lot maybe 5$ hour about. I actually started out in an associates program and I only ended up needing A&P,MIcrobio and nutrition. It ended up being two quarters and then I was on the waitlist for clinicals, unfortunetly the waitlist was way to long so that promted me to look into masters programs and im soo glad I did, I start May 16th of this year and Ill be done by next August with my masters! Im so excited:)
Good luck to you!! If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected]!!! :chuckle

I don't know of anyplace that will hire you as a teacher or management right out of school with your MSN... since it will be your FIRST nursing degree.

You'll essentially be a new graduate...

I have NEVER heard of a diff of $5 an hour for bsn vs. adn. most i have heard is $1. in the majority of places, there is no difference.

You said $5 isn't much. yeah, it is. 10,400 bucks more a year for a forty hour work week.

galaxy781 · Apr 16, 2005

I don't know of anyplace that will hire you as a teacher or management right out of school with your MSN... since it will be your FIRST nursing degree.
You'll essentially be a new graduate...
I have NEVER heard of a diff of $5 an hour for bsn vs. adn. most i have heard is $1. in the majority of places, there is no difference.
You said $5 isn't much. yeah, it is. 10,400 bucks more a year for a forty hour work week.

I didnt mean that you would come right out of school and be in management or teaching, I meant: if that is something you want to do in the future then you need a masters degree and experience. Second, at University hospital In CINCINNATI OHIO, like I stressed in the beginning I can only speak for where I am which I why I started out saying I was in Cincinnati, Ohio, LPN's average 15-18/hr, New RN's start out at around 20.00/hr and BSNs start out at around 24-25$/hr. Atleast that is what I am told by nurses that I know and the management there. Im not sure how much a new grad MSN or MN would make compared to a new grad BSN or RN.

If you calculate how long you will have to be in school and the costs you will accrue going each route you have to measure that against what you will make when you graduate, for example you may make more money on the hour with a higher degree but how much more will that degree cost in the long run? is it worth it? I believe it is but some may not, I know plenty of people who just want the quickest and cheapest way in and out. I certainly understand this, you spend four years getting a BA and you still cant find a job that pays well, its frustrating and some just want to get a job and start making money NOW, so for those people I say go get an RN, get in and out! If you are going to make 10k more a year with an MN but it costs you 30k (which is what I have to pay for my masters) compared to 10k (which is what I would have paid for my bachelors) its atleast something to think about! Eventually and I stress eventually I would like to teach so it makes more sense for me to get a masters degree instead of going the BSN route. Plus another thing to think about is if you already have a bachelors degree and you go for a BSN you wont be eligible for financial aid, only some loans, if you apply to a masters program you have more eligibility for Financial aid, also something I considered.

p.s. not all masters programs are that expensive, unfort the school i am going to has the most suitable program for me so its MY only option, there are other masters programs that im sure would cost less.

WhatToDo · Apr 18, 2005

Just wanted to clarify that getting a BSN after a first bachelor's degree does not make you ineligible for financial aid. Perhaps this differs from state to state. I'm starting an accelerated BSN program (I already and a bachelor's and master's) in June and recieved the same financial aid as anyone else.

There is sometimes a difference when applying for outside scholarships or sometimes schools have special grants or scholarship programs meant for 1st degree students, but you can get financial aid (student loans and some grants) even if you already have another bachelor's.

galaxy781 · Apr 18, 2005

Like I said earlier, you will eligible for some loans but in the state of OHIO you are only eligible for student loans and not grants and scholarships etc. if you are pursuing another bachelors degree, when I was an original undergrad I received grants, scholarship, state funded aid, etc, none of which I would be able to get if I were going for a second bachelors, but yes it may differ from state to state.

C-Loc · Apr 25, 2005

I have a BS in Forensic Science and was also wondering what the best route to take is for Nursing degrees. I've been trying to research but I really don't see information on how to go about getting an RN. I see you're looking at getting an ADN... What is an ADN?

galaxy781 · Apr 25, 2005

I have a BS in Forensic Science and was also wondering what the best route to take is for Nursing degrees. I've been trying to research but I really don't see information on how to go about getting an RN. I see you're looking at getting an ADN... What is an ADN?

ADN is an associates degree in nursing, its usually a two year degree barring any waitlists. Have you looked into forensic nursing?? I dont know much about it but there is a thread here that has some great info. I know a college in my area of Ohio has a masters degree in forensic nursing (MSN). Since you already have a BS have you thought of checking out some direct entry programs?? They are acclerated for people who already have bachelors degrees in non nursing areas. I have a BA in Psych and SOc and I am going into a masters of nursing program, it was the best fit for me bc it was the quickest way to my nursing degree, the ADN program I checked into had a really really long waitlist....good luck!