Not sure how to proceed...

jpell237 · Mar 9, 2021

54 minutes ago, Nursingstudent86 said:

Hello!

I am a pre nursing student who is very, very confused and to be honest, a little discouraged...it’s been a long, hard road for me to get here but I’ve been accepted to a ABSN and amsn program. I’ve decided to go the masters route but I’m just now realizing it’s a general MSN and I will not be an NP after this program. My goal is to be a clinician not a nurse administrator. I have a non nursing degree (psych). Should I do the ABSN then try to do a MSN degree? Or should I get the MSN then do a post grad cert? I have 2 young kids and am an older applicant. I don’t have much time to study for the gre or anything (my program didn’t require it). What can I do with a general MSN? Do I have to do a post grad certification or is there an NP exam I can sit for without it? Can I practice clinically with the general MSN? Whats the most cost effective path? Not trying to find shortcuts, I’m just genuinely so confused now...

Congratulations on your acceptance into school!

A few things to note before you read my opinion, as education varies from country to country. I'm a nurse in Canada and this is already where I went to school and got my BN.

I would encourage you to look into what the MSN degree sets you up to do when you're done and the curriculum. If the degree prepares you to write the NCLEX or equivalent licensing exam you can work as a patient-facing clinician providing patient care as an RN permitting you've passed the required exams, health, and licensing protocols outlined by your nursing body.

I know people who have gotten an MSN after an unrelated / non-nursing undergrad and work as an RN. It would be unusual for you to get into an MSN program that doesn't prepare you to be a nurse as any other master of nursing programs would build upon foundational nursing theories, and not having the foundational knowledge would be a disservice to you.

LSS: find out if the program you're going into prepares you to write the NCLEX or equivalent licensing exam where you live.

Nursingstudent86 · Mar 9, 2021

@jpell237 Thank you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it ?. The school does prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Does it make sense to do the MSN, work as an RN, then apply to a post grad program? Or should I do the accelerated BSN and then try to get into an NP Program after? The programs start in 2 months and I feel so lost! My admissions counselor is not very helpful so thanks again so much, any insight you have is helpful!

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Mar 13, 2021

If your goal is to be an APRN, it would be more logical to do the ABSN program. This would be faster and probably less costly than the MSN program.

Yes this direct entry MSN program would allow you to sit the NCLEX but in the end you would be considered a new graduate RN competing for new graduate positions at the same pay rate as BSNs and ADNs in your area.

Also to consider is if you look at the APRN curriculum as compared to the direct entry MSN curriculum, you may be surprised to learn how few of the courses that you will receive credit for..

CheesePotato, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2021

On 3/12/2021 at 6:10 PM, 203bravo said:

If your goal is to be an APRN, it would be more logical to do the ABSN program. This would be faster and probably less costly than the MSN program.

Yes this direct entry MSN program would allow you to sit the NCLEX but in the end you would be considered a new graduate RN competing for new graduate positions at the same pay rate as BSNs and ADNs in your area.

Also to consider is if you look at the APRN curriculum as compared to the direct entry MSN curriculum, you may be surprised to learn how few of the courses that you will receive credit for..

^^^^ This.

Get your ADN. Less financial output, greater financial gain in the least amount of time. Once you have your RN license, start chipping your way through your additional schooling and career goals.

Most APRN programs do not require the GRE, as a heads up. But, should you wish to have your GRE to open up your options, studying does not have to be an all encompassing affair and once you take the GRE it is a valid for five years.

There are GRE Study programs with apps that are lovely and no, I won't name product names publicly but Google is your friend. ? Many of them break up your studying for you into small bites (fifteen minutes a day or so) depending on how far out your exam sit date is.

Ultimately, this is a very personal decision that only you can make. Either way, congratulations on beginning your educational journey!

~~CP~~