If you started over in nursing you would do. . . .

globalRN · Jan 2, 2004

bsn to ms....with some years of acute care nursing experience in between.

So basically, exactly what I did. Only change...I would have completed my masters degree a little earlier in my nursing career..

not 17 years after my BSN.

Dave ARNP · Jan 2, 2004

I might have (And may still) have gotten a MSN as CRNA. I love being a NP, but something about being a CRNA has been ringing my bells.

Dave

NurseNancyNP · Feb 26, 2004

I went straight through from BSN to MSN to PhD, almost. I worked for one year before pursueing the MSN, but there are programs that are accelerated and do not require this. I personally don't support going straight through without any experience simply for the reason that it may be difficult to find work during the graduate program without nursing experience and after graduation as an NP. Also, most hospitals do not allow part-time or prn work without experience. But if you have worked as an LPN this may be an option. Some folks don't agree with becoming an NP without years of experience, but I found that it depends on how good you are with retaining information and utilizing it. The NP program is completely different than the basic nursing program. I've had no problems completing my programs and practicing and I say go for it. Good luck!:)

jmarie · Feb 26, 2004

The ASS or ASN prepare you to work in a clinical setting...where the real learning happens!!! Nothing can prepare you better than clinical practice. Med-surg or ICU prepare you for just about anything.

In my BSN program, I did not obtain clinical skills. That was where I learned theory, education, research etc. My MSN program delved back into the hands on.

So to answer your question....

ASS.....WORK....BSN, MSN>

Good luck!

If you could do it over again would you do LPN-ASN-BSN-MS or ASN -BSN-MS or ASN-MS or BSN- MS?
I want to Go for BSN!!! Does the BSN program give you another clinical practice to prepare you for your job or do you wish you had more clinical practice.
I need some advice?

MaleAPRN · Feb 27, 2004

If you could do it over again would you do LPN-ASN-BSN-MS or ASN -BSN-MS or ASN-MS or BSN- MS?
I want to Go for BSN!!! Does the BSN program give you another clinical practice to prepare you for your job or do you wish you had more clinical practice.
I need some advice?

Hi,

I did it this way...LVN---->ASN---->BSN---->MSN/FNP. I didn't STOP. I worked and got my nursing experience while I went to school. Kept CHUG, CHUG, CHUGGING along. I think that THIS IS THE BEST WAY to keep your footing in nursing. Makes you more well-rounded. I've had friends who are now NPs who went straight from BSN to NP without working on the nursing floor (if they did, they had very LITTLE time invested in it). To this day, I am so thankful for the educational path I took, because I am able to bounce back and forth from ANY nursing area. Those NPs that I know who didn't have the nursing experience to back them up were VERY LIMITED. Yea, they're NPs, but, when push comes to shove and they have to revert back to some basic nursing/clinical procedures...they have a hard time with them...and they usually look to me for advice and guidance. THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE...and I can't speak for anyone else.

Goodluck!:)

live4today, RN · Feb 27, 2004

i wouldn't change a thing because if i did i wouldn't be the mature woman with wisdom born through trial and error in a personal and professional sense. i have an aas with my major in nursing, and still believe that should be a starting point for all nurses. i do not think nurses should stop there, but continue educating themselves as much as possible for medicine and nursing are ever changing, and we need to be prepared for those changes coming our way. education is never a waste no matter how you get to the end result of it all. :nurse: :kiss

fergus51 · Feb 27, 2004

Our BSN had more clinical time than the diploma, and I felt I needed it, so I have no regrets.