livimo

Of course! I was in your same position not all that long ago. I’ve done so much research on this, and I’m happy to share what I know. Good luck making your choice!

So I wrote out a whole reply and then figured I was just kind of saying the same thing over again, so I deleted it LOL. I recommend reaching out to an advisor at a nursing school and seeing if they can go over the differences for you. Maybe look up a school online and look at their BSN curriculum and compare it with the entry level MSN's curriculum. My guess is they would be pretty much the same since both programs lead to RN licensure and RN licensure is standardized. My main point is that a direct level MSN and a direct level BSN provide you with basically the same education, the same license, and same opportunities for upward mobility. Both would allow you to then apply to a NP Program after graduating and getting licensed. I am actually surprised that more and more entry-level MSN programs are coming about because they don't provide much of an added benefit over someone with a BSN. Which maybe that's the point? Master's degree are typically more expensive, and that's just more money for the school to make. Now if you are thinking that an MSN would allow you to enter a NP Program without experience first, that is technically true (true for BSN graduates as well)... Some programs do not require you to have prior job experience before applying, but MOST will want you to have a minimum of 1 year bedside experience. My clinical instructor explained it to me this way... When you go to medical school they treat you like you just crawled out from under a rock. You learn everything from the very basics on up. When it comes to advanced practice nursing programs they treat you like you already know what they are talking about. They treat you like you are experienced in your field, and you aren't really "experienced" until you have worked in the real world for a certain amount of time. Another thing you could do is look up NP programs and their admissions requirements. Almost all will say that in order to enter the program you need "a BSN with an unencumbered RN license." They would accept you with an entry level MSN with an unencumbered RN license as well of course, it would just, in most cases, be the more expensive (and potentially longer) route to get there! Maybe someone else on here can chime in with more info!

Yes. My school requires all students to have galaxy blue scrubs, and the styles are restricted as well. They even take it a step further and we have to have our tops embroidered with the school logo. I know some schools can be more or less stringent, but I’m pretty sure they usually have requirements for color.

I would. I think it will save you time and money going the BSN route especially if you find an accelerated program. Accelerated programs are for people who hold prior degrees in other fields. My program is only 11 months long. The higher practice programs ARE master degree and doctoral programs. You don’t have to have a Master’s degree to enter them (just BSN) because you will earn one while training to become to a Nurse Practitioner. An entry level MSN is totally different from the advanced practice Master’s degrees. Just becoming an MSN doesn’t qualify you in any position (except maybe management) that a BSN trained nurse can’t do, and you can’t start a specialty program unless you are already a licensed RN. Does this make sense? I’m trying to be really clear LOL, but I know it’s confusing with all of the acronyms and such. In short, a BSN is really all you need at the entry level, and with some bedside experience you should have no problem enrolling in a NP Program which will also give you a Master’s degree or doctorate depending on the type of program you apply to.

I really don't see any point in getting an entry level MSN. I have a BA in another field and still chose to enroll in an accelerated BSN program. It was way cheaper than an entry level MSN and still provides the same education and opportunities. Every RN program (regardless of degree level) prepares you to take the NCLEX and get licensed, and most advanced practice programs want you to have a year of bedside experience before applying (again, regardless of degree level). There are BSN to DNP programs, BSN to FNP program, BSN to really any type of APRN program. BSN is the standard right now in terms of entry level nursing degrees. Maybe an MSN knocks a few courses off of a nurse practitioner program in the future, but other than that I don't see much benefit in it.

Improved time management will greatly reduce your stress. You say you have a lot of things due soon and it stresses you out when you think about it. Have you sat down and written it all out in your planner? Have you made dedicated time slots to work on each class and its assignments? I am in a 1 year accelerated BSN program and it's a lot, but it hasn't overtaken me mentally because I sit down every day and prioritize my courses. When it comes to free time I usually do it in the evening. I start my day by working on assignments and studying, and I end my day by relaxing and watching TV and spending time with my family. The anxiety part is something I can really relate to as well. I'm not anxious about school, but I do have general anxiety that creeps in sometimes. Listening to the Calm app and doing mindfulness exercises really help. You can do it!

So I haven't started nursing school yet (I start my ABSN program in January), but I wanted to chime in. I have 3 kids (4 years old, 3 years old, and 10 months old). I've found that you just make life work. If you want something enough, you just do it! There is never a right time for anything. I finished my first BA with a baby at home and it was fine, and I'm sure I'm going to do fine in nursing school with 3 at home too. Like the others said, having a good support system is key. My husband is in the military so we don't have family super close by, but by the time I start my program he will have transitioned out of active duty and into the reserves and will be home a lot more to help with the kids while I'm in class/clinical/studying. I also have awesome (retired) parents that have no problem using their airline miles to come out and lend a hand whenever I need it. It's a 1 year program, and I know I'm going to want to pull my hair out at times, but I figured I can do ANYTHING for a year. And it will be worth it. I also have a friend that is in nursing school right now with 3 kids at home and she's rocking it. You can do this!

It will vary from state to state and school to school which is why you'll have to ask around at the ones you are interested in. I will say that out of the 10+ nursing schools in my area, only 1 or 2 do not accept online prerequisites. It's just the way education is going these days, so I don't think you'll have trouble getting your courses accepted somewhere.

I'm halfway through A&P II with Portage. I also took A&P I with them and will also take Microbiology. I love it. The courses are self-paced so you have to be motivated to get your work done. I finished A&P I in 8 weeks, and I'm currently on-pace to finish II in the same amount of time. My only advice is to make sure your chosen school accepts online courses before starting!

I recently went through this same debate. For me, the ABSN made the most sense. The program was somewhat cheaper, and it allowed me to get into the workforce to gain experience faster before applying to CNM programs (my chosen advanced nursing pathway.) I didn't see the point in going to school for longer, paying more money, and then still having to go back to school to earn the advanced credentials. That's just my personal opinion.

Look into Portage Learning. I'm half way through A&P II w/lab with them, and I really like it. I'm learning a lot, and I love that the course is self-paced. Make sure you check with your school to make sure the courses will be accepted. I emailed my advisor for my chosen ABSN program the syllabi for my prerequisites before paying for any of the classes!

Portage Online is a good option. I'm taking my last 3 prereqs with them, and I'm happy with it. It's very comprehensive. The courses are self paced (must be finished within a year of starting), and the instructor is very quick to grade and respond to questions. I checked with the school I'll be doing my nursing program through and Portage courses are accepted.

I can't answer about Rasmussen specifically, but I don't think you will have any issues. The advisor at the school I will be attending for my BSN was very familiar with Portage and said the courses will be accepted, no problem. That seems to be the case with a lot of people on here. If you are very concerned, I would just contact the school and provide the Syllabus for each of your classes and verify that it will work.

Very true. I have a friend that works in an OB office and she loves it. The hours, the pay, the fact that the practice is privately owned... She said that if becoming an RN right away isn't an option, then I should try going that route for now. Apparently the office she works in only hires LPN's for the back office work. I think I may have to accept that if I want to get into nursing sooner rather than later, I have to take the program that is available to me at this point in time.

This is what I wanted to hear. While considering my options, I just want to know that becoming an LPN first has value for a potential RN. I know that some people become an LPN with no intention of ever becoming an RN after (and I think that's great! I definitely don't view that route as "second place"), but for someone that has the desire to become an RN at some point, I want to make sure that the LPN experience really is a great way to start my nursing career. I don't want to regret anything.