RN to BSN or RN to MSN. Pros and Cons

PCav · Aug 30, 2004

Hi there,

Please see MHO to your questions below. I'm someone who is undergoing the RN to MSN route and had done extensive research beforehand, plus stopped and started many times. I would personally recommend the RN to MSN route, mainly because of time/money. It also sounds like you are thinking of teaching at some point and generally as long as you have your MSN (doesn't matter in which specialty) they are all for it. Hope I can provide some insight for you:

I had my first clinical today for this school year and our new instructor talked to us about furthering our education after graduation. I am definitely continuing right after graduation part time. I spoke with financial aid and as long as I am taking 6 credits, my student loans will be deferred. The interest is only 3% on them, so I figured, why not? They also told me that if I stop going for more than six months and start back again then I will have to continue my payments after I return. It seemed like a no brainer to me. I can swing 6 credits a semester. (Especially if work is paying for it.:chuckle )
Anyway . . . . that brings me to my quandry. Should I go right into a Master's program and get both degrees with overlapping credits? It will save a lot of time and money. I had planned on getting my Master's eventually, but I am concerned that I will be forced to specialize before I am sure I know what I want to do. Whereas, if I get my BSN separately from my MSN, that will buy me more decision time. On the downside, it will take me longer and cost me more money.
I guess these are my questions to anyone who has gone the RN to MSN route:
Are they set programs or can I take classes at my own pace?
They are usually set programs, but you can take them at your own pace (FT vs. PT). I refer more to the online versions of these programs, but I would think traditional versions are generally the same. They do give you a recommended time frame, as what happens when you exceed these timeframes (other than affecting your financial aid) is that you may be subject to a change in curriculum/degree requirements than from what you first signed up for. Which could mean more classes!
Do I have to specialize immediately upon entering a program?
Sometimes you do, but most of the RN to MSN programs I have seen are limited in that they are more generalized (nursing admin/nursing education are the main options) -- this is the one limitation in going the "entry level" route. However, more are popping up that allows you to obtain your FNP or CNS, although again, the specialties can be limited. Even if you did choose a specialty, if you decide to change most of the classes stay the same. Not really a worry here.
If I decide to teach eventually, will I have to take additional Master's credits in education to be on faculty somewhere?
Usually not. Again, my research has shown most RN-MSN programs have an education emphasis built within the curriculum so it covers this. Also, most nursing faculty require a MS, concentration generally not specified.
What if I do a Master's in Nursing Education, do I have to take additional classes in a specialty?
See above. Education is a general type masters.
I looked on a lot of schools' websites and could not find answers for any of these, but I'm not in the planning stage where I'm ready to start calling Dean's of programs just yet. I would rather be armed with a little more info first.
Any input/feedback would be very, very much appreciated!! Thank you so much!

Again, all this is just my opinion but I can say I've done a heck of a lot of research on this subject. Most RN-BSN programs are basically the same price to obtain the MSN, so why not go for the advanced degree? If you decide you want a different specialty, there are post-master certificate options available (including a FNP) so you aren't closing the door to learning a different specialty. Good luck!

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2004

Thank you sooooooo much for all of your info. I really appreciate it! good luck to you with your MSN sutdies as well.!

Trauma Columnist · Aug 30, 2004

If I had to do it all over I too would have gone straight to the MSN but that wasn't an option. Definitely - no questions about it! Good luck!

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2004

If I had to do it all over I too would have gone straight to the MSN but that wasn't an option. Definitely - no questions about it! Good luck!

I probably will. My way of thinking is this: having my BSN would not drastically increase my chance at another type of job than I can already get with my RN. There would be a pay increase, but it would be nominal at best. With my MSN, it seems like I will have many more options and it will only take another year or two. I'm also thinking the costs will not be that much more than pursuing my BSN alone b/c I would wind up paying for an extra few semesters of tuition w/my BSN. I understand that Master's credits are more expensive, but I think it may even out. One of the schools here will only charge me the BSN prices for the MSN credits they allow me to put toward both degrees.

I'm trying not to count my chickens before they are hatched, but there is going to come a day when I won't be able to be a floor nurse full time and I want to be ready for it. I also think it will be much easier for me to do while still in "school mode" rather than leaving and going back in a few years.

Sorry to babble, but I'm still in the sorting things out phase. :rolleyes:

medsurgrn · Aug 31, 2004

Just wondering...Don't you have to have 3 years or so of clinical experience as an RN before you can enter a Masters program?? This forum comes at a timely manner for me as I too want to go on and was told I couldn't get into a Masters program until I had 3 years clinical.

I probably will. My way of thinking is this: having my BSN would not drastically increase my chance at another type of job than I can already get with my RN. There would be a pay increase, but it would be nominal at best. With my MSN, it seems like I will have many more options and it will only take another year or two. I'm also thinking the costs will not be that much more than pursuing my BSN alone b/c I would wind up paying for an extra few semesters of tuition w/my BSN. I understand that Master's credits are more expensive, but I think it may even out. One of the schools here will only charge me the BSN prices for the MSN credits they allow me to put toward both degrees.
I'm trying not to count my chickens before they are hatched, but there is going to come a day when I won't be able to be a floor nurse full time and I want to be ready for it. I also think it will be much easier for me to do while still in "school mode" rather than leaving and going back in a few years.
Sorry to babble, but I'm still in the sorting things out phase.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2004

Just wondering...Don't you have to have 3 years or so of clinical experience as an RN before you can enter a Masters program?? This forum comes at a timely manner for me as I too want to go on and was told I couldn't get into a Masters program until I had 3 years clinical.

The ones I was looking at would let me in the next fall or with one year of experience. Keep in mind that they have pre-req's. I can do those while I'm working and gain experience at the same time. I already know that I have to take stats and a few others when I start. I really think it depends on what you're going for. Of course, if you're looking at getting your CRNA there is a waiting list a mile long to get into that program period regardless of experience. If you're looking at other areas, they may be a little more willing to work with you if they need to bring up their enrollment. For example, right now they are waiving the GRE requirement for their MSN in Acute Care and a few other areas to bolster enrollment. That means more money in your pocket that you don't have to fork over for those tests; which is a good thing! :coollook:

Here's a link if you need more info:

http://www.pitt.edu/~nursing/academicprograms/rn_msn_program.html

Hope it helps!