Msn vs. Bsn

jpeters84 · Oct 22, 2008

I've gotten all sorts of information on this one. I was in a similar situation. I have a degree in History and since I knew what I wanted to specialize in I wanted to go for my direct-entry master's into nursing. The problem for me was that the competition for these programs was so high that I couldn't get in. I had a 3.2 undergrad GPA with a 4.0 nursing pre-requesite GPA and I was told at UCSF and other programs that they base admission decisions on your undergraduate GPA and with a 3.2 I wasn't competitive. I don't know if this is true, but I heard that a 3.5 but more likely a 3.8 undergrad GPA is what is competitive for the direct-entry master's programs. If you can get in I think the direct-entry is a great way to go if you know what you want to specialize in. It saves you years of education and get's you right in there doing advance practice.

However, if your undergrad isn't a 3.5 or higher getting a BSN is probably what you're going to end up doing. And trust me BSN programs are challenging enough you won't feel like you missed out. Plus once you graduate the competition to get into a master's program with a BSN in nursing is much easier, it's more like a 3.0, 3.2 is competitive for most programs.

I hope this was helpful for you. No matter what your GPA, I say apply for the master's if that's what you want to do, you never know. I applied to both master's and BSN programs so that I would have as many options as possible. Good luck and let us know what you decided to do! One place that give a lot of good information about direct-entry is the FAQ's on UCSF's website, here's the link http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-em.htm

birdie007 · Oct 23, 2008

Just wondering, for those of you out there with a B.A. in let's say something like, psychology, does it makes more sense to get a second bachelor's or get an RN and then go onto a Master's? I have heard alot of conflicting opinions and would be interested on your thoughts...:thnkg:

Adams_Mommy_07 · Oct 23, 2008

Just wondering, for those of you out there with a B.A. in let's say something like, psychology, does it makes more sense to get a second bachelor's or get an RN and then go onto a Master's? I have heard alot of conflicting opinions and would be interested on your thoughts...:thnkg:

Like the second poster, I received my B.A. in History (undergrad gpa: 3.66 w/disciplinary honors). Obviously the best course of action is to go into a direct entry MSN (which is what I want to do) but as the second poster said these are highly competitive. The program closest to me accepts about 30% of its applicants. Otherwise it makes more sense to get a BSN over an ADN IF you already have a Bachelor's degree simply because you will spend approximately the same amount of time in both programs and with the same amount of time it makes more sense to attain the higher degree. Either way you will need your pre-reqs for whichever route you decide ---which are pretty much the same across the board (whether it be a direct entry MSN, BSN, or ADN). The only advantage of going ADN-MSN or ADN-BSN-MSN is that it's less expensive and you can enlist your employer to pay for your BSN. However, this route is more time-consuming.

Adams_Mommy_07 · Oct 23, 2008

I am currently debating which corse of study to take. I have a batchlors in education and i know now that teaching middle school is not for me. I would like to persue a degree in nursing. I have found several schools that offer masters and batchlors degrees in nursing for students that have bachlors in related fields. Is there any benifit to getting another bachlors or should i go right for my masters? What kind of a degree do i need to become a NP? Would it bennifit me to get my CNA certification before i even apply for a nursing program? so many questions, sorry...

I am in almost the same situation as you, I received my B.A. with intentions of getting a teacher licensure via a Master's program (higher pay:)). I too have decided NOT to teach and am taking pre-reqs for nursing right now. I plan on applying to both a direct entry MSN and

BSN, understanding that despite my academic credentials good students are a dime a dozen for the alternate entry MSN programs (and BSNs for that matter as well). Direct entry MSN would allow you to get your RN in less time than the BSN program (unless you are doing an accelerated BSN which there is probably very little difference in the amount of time until graduation). MSN would present the opportunity to become a nurse practitioner. The BSN would allow you to pursue a MSN a year or so after receiving your BSN. The ONLY thing that is better about the BSN over the MSN is you will work as a nurse prior to having to decide WHICH MSN concentration you want. For example, I think I want to be a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but I also would like being a Pediatric Primary or Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse Practitioner. If I got the BSN first I could work in the NICU to see if it's where I want to be before pinning myself down to a concentration.

CNA certification usually helps enhance your application. It also gives you hands on experience. However, you can not receive an RN licensure and be admitted to accelerated BSN or direct entry MSNs as they are ONLY for students who are not RNs and have at minimum a Bachelor's in an unrelated field.

birdie007 · Oct 23, 2008

I am in almost the same situation as you, I received my B.A. with intentions of getting a teacher licensure via a Master's program (higher pay:)). I too have decided NOT to teach and am taking pre-reqs for nursing right now. I plan on applying to both a direct entry MSN and
BSN, understanding that despite my academic credentials good students are a dime a dozen for the alternate entry MSN programs (and BSNs for that matter as well). Direct entry MSN would allow you to get your RN in less time than the BSN program (unless you are doing an accelerated BSN which there is probably very little difference in the amount of time until graduation). MSN would present the opportunity to become a nurse practitioner. The BSN would allow you to pursue a MSN a year or so after receiving your BSN. The ONLY thing that is better about the BSN over the MSN is you will work as a nurse prior to having to decide WHICH MSN concentration you want. For example, I think I want to be a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but I also would like being a Pediatric Primary or Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse Practitioner. If I got the BSN first I could work in the NICU to see if it's where I want to be before pinning myself down to a concentration.
CNA certification usually helps enhance your application. It also gives you hands on experience. However, you can not receive an RN licensure and be admitted to accelerated BSN or direct entry MSNs as they are ONLY for students who are not RNs and have at minimum a Bachelor's in an unrelated field.

Thank you for the advice...here is where I get confused, my advisor says don't do another Bachelors' :confused: get an RN, then go onto a Master's// which for me, would be faster and cheaper. I am finishing ( with a little luck ) my pre req's this semester and I have my CNA...I would have to agree, that is great for exposure

Just out of curiosity, if you don't mind sharing, why did you decide not to pursue teaching?

undertakeress · Oct 24, 2008

I have a bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Political science. I worked in the field for a few years, but decided (after having a lot of acute med probs) to go into nursing. My local community college has one of the best nursing programs in the state, and at $70 a credit hour, very much affordable. So I'm just doing my ADN now, and want to work at Univ of Michigan and probably get my BSN or MSN there.

birdie007 · Oct 24, 2008

I have a bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Political science. I worked in the field for a few years, but decided (after having a lot of acute med probs) to go into nursing. My local community college has one of the best nursing programs in the state, and at $70 a credit hour, very much affordable. So I'm just doing my ADN now, and want to work at Univ of Michigan and probably get my BSN or MSN there.

do you think its possible to go from a B.A. RN to an MSN?

fortone · Oct 26, 2008

Thank you so much for everyone that has answered my questions... I have decided to take my CNA course this winter and then move to the city to teach and take my prereqs hopefully for not more than a year. Afterwards I will apply to the bsn and msn program. What ever one I get in to I will take.

As to caren7171's question, I decided not to persue teaching because there are virtually no jobs in my field in my area. If i do want to teach I will have to move to an inner city where the burn out rate is very high and the pay is very low... not a very happy sounding situation.

Has anyone gone from an associates degree RN to a MSN program? can do you that?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2008

Good luck to you!

There are many ADN to MSN programs out there. If you know that is what you want to do, it's a good way to do. That way you don't have to repeat courses and just take them at an advanced MSN level. For example, instead of taking BSN level Research and then repeating it at a graduate level, you can take it once. It saves time and money.

Noel1221 · Jul 22, 2009

Undertakers,

How are you enjoying Nursing vs. your previous jobs in criminal justice?