Pursuing RN with a Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2017

What I would NOT do is pursue a master's degree in "a health-related program for nursing." Complete waste of your time and money. If you want to be an RN, get your degree in nursing.

Are there any entry-level MSN programs in your area? The school I attended for my RN-BSN bridge has an ELMSN; it's a four-year program designed for those with a non-nursing BS/BA. I believe their students take the NCLEX once they finish the undergrad content.

FYI, anecdotally I have heard it can be difficult for these RNs to find bedside jobs (experience is an absolute must if you intend to pursue leadership roles! One can't join the Navy and function as an admiral; likewise he can't enter the nursing profession and function as a nursing manager/informaticist/policy maker etc.

You'll also want to find out what your local market for ADNs looks like.

You could always go for a traditional BSN

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2017

sorry, I was half asleep when I posted that ^^^ I meant anecdotally I have heard it can be difficult for entry level MSNs to get bedside jobs. They can be considered "overqualified" at least in the financial aspect -- one would expect a master's degreed employee to be paid more than a bachelor's or associate's degreed employee. BUT, unless s/he worked as an RN during the graduate school portion, s/he will be will be as green as any new grad.

Nursing students graduate and begin their careers with a knowledge deficit. It takes a good year or two to become proficient. So not all employers would be eager to pay extra for a nurse who does not bring extra knowledge to the table.

Plus, there may be the assumption that a nurse doesn't get an MSN with the goal of being a long-term bedside nurse. If they leave after a year, the hospital/facility is not getting much ROI.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jun 22, 2017

I think the ADN at your community college is the way to go. Don't bother with further degrees that are not nursing if you truly want to be a nurse.

araew2129, ADN · Jun 22, 2017

I am in a similar situation... couple things I am keeping in mind while working through the decision making: most ADN programs or CEPs still have the same or similar prerequisites as any other RN program (in fact the ADN/CEP at our community college would require more prereq work because I would have to re-do math!), and paying for education costs. I am already enrolled in prerequisites at the community college (currently nutrition, next semester chem and A&P) and paying out of pocket for them. I have met a couple of the prerequisites through my bachelor's so that's a plus. Because I won't qualify for financial aid/student loans for another undergrad degree, my first choice is to apply for the direct entry master's program at our university (MEPN at U of Arizona). I have heard mixed things about obtaining such a degree but I believe it will work out in the long run for me as the hire rate out of the program is so high I don't think I will have too much trouble being employed and if I ever do want to move I will have that experience in my corner. I've also been looking into other programs that I may apply to if I don't make it into the MEPN program. I'd love to chat about the decision making with you! It's so hard to know what the best choice is!

Simba101 · Jun 23, 2017

I am just not sure what do you mean by , " I haven't fulfilled the prerequisites for the BSN so that would also require me to do more schooling and spend a little more money," Usually the prerequisit for ADN and BSN are one and the same. (chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistic, nutrition and general education), even if an ADN program dosnt require you to take chemistry and Statistic but since you want to do MSN, you need to take them eventually. I suggest that you take the remaining prerequisits in community college, to cut the cost.

Simba101 · Jun 23, 2017

I am in a similar situation... couple things I am keeping in mind while working through the decision making: most ADN programs or CEPs still have the same or similar prerequisites as any other RN program (in fact the ADN/CEP at our community college would require more prereq work because I would have to re-do math!), and paying for education costs. I am already enrolled in prerequisites at the community college (currently nutrition, next semester chem and A&P) and paying out of pocket for them. I have met a couple of the prerequisites through my bachelor's so that's a plus. Because I won't qualify for financial aid/student loans for another undergrad degree, my first choice is to apply for the direct entry master's program at our university (MEPN at U of Arizona). I have heard mixed things about obtaining such a degree but I believe it will work out in the long run for me as the hire rate out of the program is so high I don't think I will have too much trouble being employed and if I ever do want to move I will have that experience in my corner. I've also been looking into other programs that I may apply to if I don't make it into the MEPN program. I'd love to chat about the decision making with you! It's so hard to know what the best choice is!

Yes, I beleive you are in right track

justwanttohelp12 · Jun 23, 2017

I have asked this question before and from what I've been told - your answer is dependent on the area you reside. Will you be able to find work with "just" an ADN? Keep in mind most RN to MSN programs require RN work experience. If you can't get any experience because you don't have a BSN or whatever then it sets you back in terms of achieving your goals.

Career Columnist / Author · Jun 23, 2017

Consider the accelerated BSN. It's designed for people just like you, who have a degree.

As far as not wanting two BSN degrees, cut your losses mentally and reframe this as an

expedient way to pursue your RN. Best wishes.

liathA, RN, EMT-B · Jun 24, 2017

I would go for either an ADN or BSN - whichever local program that would get me to licensure the fastest (based on transfer credits I already have, pre-requisite requirements, etc.), and qualifies me to work as an RN in my local job market. The key is that the goal of the ADN or BSN is not really the degree, since you already have a bachelor's, it's licensure. Whatever gets me a job practicing as a nurse the fastest is the important bit.

I honestly think that pursuing a Masters at this point would be a mistake - even an entry level MSN. A graduate credential is just not as useful as actual healthcare experience, and may actually count against you since you'll simultaneously be overqualified educationally and underqualified experientially. Education for education's sake is great and all, if you can afford it, but most of us also need to worry about whether or not our expensive pieces of paper will also get us hired. It's simple enough to do an RN to MSN program once you've been licensed and actually started working.

araew2129, ADN · Jun 24, 2017

I would go for either an ADN or BSN - whichever local program that would get me to licensure the fastest (based on transfer credits I already have, pre-requisite requirements, etc.), and qualifies me to work as an RN in my local job market. The key is that the goal of the ADN or BSN is not really the degree, since you already have a bachelor's, it's licensure. Whatever gets me a job practicing as a nurse the fastest is the important bit.
I honestly think that pursuing a Masters at this point would be a mistake - even an entry level MSN. A graduate credential is just not as useful as actual healthcare experience, and may actually count against you since you'll simultaneously be overqualified educationally and underqualified experientially. Education for education's sake is great and all, if you can afford it, but most of us also need to worry about whether or not our expensive pieces of paper will also get us hired. It's simple enough to do an RN to MSN program once you've been licensed and actually started working.

What if the entry level Masters is the quickest way? It is in my situation. Interested in what you think?

MiiSzAshley · Jun 24, 2017

Hi! Wow, I just realize about the whole not getting financial aid if you get another undergrad degree. That really makes things harder for me now, because without the financial aid, I can't even consider doing an accelerated BSN program anymore... and I really would need that help to pay for school. I was thinking of doing a direct entry MSN program but I'm worried about paying for the prereqs I haven't done. I actually have to do microbiology, A&P I and II, retake stats (I got a C- and all colleges I looked asks for a minimum of a C), Organic Chemistry, and even some ask for pathophysiology, genetics, nutrition and algebra. It's really ridiculous.. at least that's how it is here in New York :/ I'm left probably doing the ADN anyways but I'm getting so much negative responses from my family about it...