RN-BSN or RN-MSN someone help!

Nurses New Nurse

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So here is the quick story of my current dilema. Just graduated from an ADN program...(passed the boards last week :) I also have a previous BA in English. I am currently working at a great rehab facility that is going for Magnet and will ONLY take BSN grads. So despite the fact that I have been working there for one year as an aide and that I have a BA, they will not make any exceptions!:uhoh3:

I was told that my best bet for getting a job with them was to enroll in a BSN program and give them a plan/estimate for my completion. (yet this still does not gurantee me a spot) I went in to speak with the school today and the first thing out of the advisors mouth was, "why would you want another Bachelor's? Go get a masters." The school has a bridge RN-MSN program that is pretty reasonable. It is less credits than the BSN (but more expensive of course)

My issue is this: I feel like I was doing the BSN only to satisfy my employers demands (and bc it seems every hospital is demanding this now) but somehow I feel like an MSN could be too much. I am totally new and the thought of getting a masters in nursing ed seems silly. No one else seems to think so but I am feeling very confused. I am also afraid that my current employer will still be like, "well we want a BSN floor nurse not an MSN." So what are people's thoughts/experiences with this? Should I go an get the MSN?

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Get the MSN and find a different hospital to work at. I have a B.A. and an ADN as well and I can't fathom paying for a second bachelors, might as well go for the MSN. Just my opinion.

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thanks for the reply. I am with you on not getting another bachelors...but I guess I am not sure it makes any sense to be a new fresh grad with no experience in a masters program for education. I feel like I have no clue what to do with that without years of working as a nurse. I feel like telling them to f themselves and finding somewhere who wants an RN aand get a masters when the time is right. Oy...hate these decisions

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Specializes in IMCU.

Until recently I agreed with the no second bachelor degree. I was going to go straight to MSN. I have just changed my mind on this:

1 I can knock out a BSN pretty quickly -- 12 months.

2 If I start the MSN and anything delays it (like normal life) I dn't want to be stuck.

3 The reputable MSN programs seem to want RN experience

It annoys the crapola out of me because there are complete idiots with BSNs working where I want to work. The idea that an excellent BSc is sniffed at by hospitals is ridiculous to me but BSN counts for MAGNET status and any other undergrad degree does not. So my interim plan is the BSN.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Zenstudent: I think your reasoning makes sense. You don't have the experience as a nurse to make an informed decision about a career path to justify investing in grad school at this time. There are lots of RN-BSN completion programs available. Investigate several and find one that is reasonably priced that fits your needs at this time.

Then ... as you get some nursing experience and if you decide that you want a graduate degree in the future, you can pursue that when the time is right for you.

I've met several people who got their MSN's before they knew enough about themselves as a nurse to make a good decision and they regret making a hasty decision about such a big investment. After all that investment of time and money, they have to go back to school for a 2nd Master's (or at least more coursework) to switch specialties and/or pursue the career path that really suits them.

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I've met several people who got their MSN's before they knew enough about themselves as a nurse to make a good decision and they regret making a hasty decision about such a big investment. After all that investment of time and money, they have to go back to school for a 2nd Master's (or at least more coursework) to switch specialties and/or pursue the career path that really suits them.

I agree with you that it is better to know why you're getting a master's than to get it just because it looks better than a bachelor's. People in my nursing program seem to push master's degrees a lot. I have absolutely no desire to get a master's in nursing. A lot of people asked me why I was getting a second bachelor's instead of a master's. But I don't want to do nursing education, or be a nurse practitioner, or a nurse anesthesiologist, etc. Can't I just be an RN and be happy with that?! Maybe someday I will be interested in a master's in nursing, but I really doubt it.

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Specializes in Family Planning, STD, OB/Gyn.

I am in your situation right now either decide to go from RN to BSN or RN to MSN. I agree with going from RN to BSN because I am not sure what part of nursing specialty I want to pursue and I definitely don't want to waste my money or my time. :D

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I would go for the RN-BSN since it's cheaper.... then get an advanced degree later on. Does your work have tuition reimbursement?

As for BSN vs BS + ADN, I could see why hospitals seeking magnet status would not accept the latter. Magnet status is all about nursing as a profession. The BSN offers more theory/research/etc. I know several nurses that are doing ADN to BSN programs and most of it is online classes of theory/research.

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Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.

Usually you can go ASN-MSN in about the same amount of time you could go ASN-BSN. MSN will pay off way more in the long run and set you apart from others.

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