BSN or MSN

[AmyLou0202]

I have heard of many fast tracts to go from my ADN straight to the MSN without having to get my BSN. I know it is a little more cost effective in my state to do this. Has anyone done the fast tract? What would you suggest? I know my hospital gives a small pay raise for BSN but not the MSN. For the small raise, I think the fast tract will actually save me more. I don't know which direction to take! Any suggestions would be great!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

It really depends on what you want to do with your career. A BSN is still a generalist nursing degree; an MSN is going to involve specialization. There are many options out there: education, leadership, informatics, NP, CNS, CRNA, and others. To really decide which degree to go for, you need to decide where you see yourself in the future.

I completed an MSN program in nursing education. That is because leadership/management/advanced practice roles do not interest me. However, education does and it will allow me to move away from the bedside when I can no longer handle the physical requirements of the job. My long term plan is to remain in my current clinical role while also teaching as an adjunct; eventually I will transition into a full time education role.

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you are ready for MSN work and know for certain what career path you want, then I would go for the MSN. However, if you have only been a nurse for a very short time and/or you aren't sure what career path you want to follow at a graduate level, I would get the BSN. I do not recommend investing in a graduate degree until you are ready for graduate-level study and a graduate-level career.