RN to BSN right after ADN or wait a year to start RN to MSN

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Specializes in Critical Care, Medical/Surgical.

Hello everybody! I am going to start ADN/ASN school very soon, but I am not sure which route to take after that.

The RN to BSN program that I am interested in starts classes about a month after the application deadline. That means if I graduate in May with my ADN, I can start taking RN to BSN classes August of the same year. However, I do want to eventually get my MSN, but the RN to MSN program I am looking into requires a minimum one year RN full-time working experience. That means if I graduate in May with my ADN, I will submit my application around the end of the year and can only start RN to MSN classes August of the following year, if I am accepted.

Of course the RN to MSN program is much harder to get into than the RN to BSN program. My problem is I don't know should I wait till I have that one year working experience and bet on my chance of getting accepted into the MSN program the following year, or should I go ahead and start doing that one year BSN program and not sacrifice time perchance I don't get accepted into the MSN program? I just don't want to wait a year, get a MSN rejection letter, and regret not starting the BSN program a year before.

Thank you so much for any comment or suggestion! I really appreciate it!

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Option C) Apply to both.

Apply to the RN to BSN program. Presumably the RN to BSN will fulfill some of the RN to MSN requirements, and also make you look like a better applicant. Continue to work as an RN. Does it say "full time" work experience for a year?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Medical/Surgical.
Option C) Apply to both.

Apply to the RN to BSN program. Presumably the RN to BSN will fulfill some of the RN to MSN requirements, and also make you look like a better applicant. Continue to work as an RN. Does it say "full time" work experience for a year?

Thank you for the response. It's my plan all along to apply to both programs the year after graduation. The school offers two routes to obtain the MSN: BSN to MSN, and RN to MSN. I've fulfilled all of their general education requirements other than that RN education and one year RN working experience. I am leaning much more towards waiting a year to apply to both programs because I think I will be able to balance everything better that way.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I have to make a similar decision. I have graduated school already, but I am contemplating whether to go right into a RN-BSN program or to wait to go for an MSN. If I didn't already have a BA in another field, I don't think I would hesitate to go for the BSN and be done with it. But I'm not sure I want another undergraduate degree. I'm starting my first nursing job at the end of the month and I guess I'll see how that feels and how much time I think I can devote to studying while I'm getting through my first year as a nurse. I am leaning towards RN-MSN, though.

So, the only thing I can say is probably waiting a year is better to see how your handling your first job and etc. And then you can apply to both.

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Everline,

Can I ask you how did you land your nursing job? Did you work while doing the adn program what did you do?

If you didn't work what helped you in the job process?

I will be starting an adn program during summertime.

Thank you

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I am going to suggest something a little different, but realize that this is what I would do after the experience I have obtained over the last 9 months...

I graduated last year and started working 2 weeks after passing the NCLEX. I was only working for little over 2.5 months and I started my ADN to BSN program (GCU). It has been really busy and stressful. Landing your first job and becoming comfortable with being a new nurse is at times difficult. You are never 100% prepared for nursing right out of school. Not only that there were a slew of certifications I needed right away which further complicated my life (ACLS, PALS, etc.).

Anyway I wish I would have waited until now to start the program (9 months of working) because I am starting to be more confident as a new nurse and I can concentrate on the schooling much more. The last 6+ months has burned me out a little. Remember that this is personal experience, your mileage may vary. Each person is different, but maybe this will give you more information to make your personal decision.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
Everline,

Can I ask you how did you land your nursing job? Did you work while doing the adn program what did you do?

If you didn't work what helped you in the job process?

I will be starting an adn program during summertime.

Thank you

I sent you a private message so I don't hijack this thread.

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