Non-nursing major; should I get BSN in MSN program?

allnurses Guide · Mar 18, 2012

I've been accepted to two MSN/Nurse Practitioner programs. Both are 3 year programs for non-nursing majors (I have a B.S. in something else). One program spends one year on the RN portion, after which you sit for the NCLEX & obtain the RN license - but you don't get a BSN (you do have to accumulate 1000 hours working as an RN during the final 2 years of the program.)
The other one spends 2 years on the RN portion & you not only sit for the NCLEX but you get the BSN. Both of them give you an MSN at the end for your NP license.
Does it make a difference when getting hired as a NP if you've got the BSN? Or does it only matter that you passed the NCLEX and got the RN license? The program that offers the BSN is a lot more expensive, so it's definitely one of my considerations.
For the record I'm talking about UMass in Worcester & Regis College. Both in Massachusetts.
Thanks!

I don't think it matters if you have the BSN or not, especially if you plan on going straight through for your MSN. I went to a RN-MSN program, and not having the BSN didn't make a bit of difference to prospective employers. Does UMASS find you a job as an RN so you can complete your 1000 hours? Can you work at one of their hospitals? FWIW, if you were accepted to UMASS go there, and save yourself a lot of money. It's a great school with a good reputation. I precepted a UMASS direct entry student last year and she liked the program a lot. I went to a private school and came out with a lot of debt. Avoid that if you can, especially if you still have student loans from undergrad.

schafso · Mar 18, 2012

Thanks for the advice. I was talking to an RN who works in administration & hires the nurses at a local clinic. She was saying that it's better to have experience working as an RN instead of straight to MSN. But, then again, I read how there aren't as many RN jobs available these days.

I think I'm most worried about finding a job as a general entry graduate with only the 1000 hours from the program. That's the UMass one, of course. The Regis program is the one that costs at least $40k per year.

The other consideration is that I've read NPs will soon need to be DNPs, not just MSNs. Better to save as much now if I have to go back for more later.

babyNP., APRN · Mar 19, 2012

I would...

If you can't get a job as a NP, you can go work as a RN and having a BSN makes it easier. If you want to work overseas, it's easier for you to obtain credentials if you have a BSN as well as many programs have phased out their "step-down" type degrees like our ADN. In fact, the UK does not accept ADNs anymore unless you have a BSN. But it's not essential to life, necessarily depending on your plans. And factoring in cost is pretty big too...

I would look into whether you can retroactively get your BSN in one of those year long courses, ask around at the local universities that bridge ADN-BSN.

schafso · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking that if I go w/the lower cost program that'll leave a little more room if I want/need to get more education later. Good to know about overseas. Don't know if I'd ever move overseas, but I definitely want to do a stint w/a non-profit somewhere.