RN first then MSN?

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Question on career path ... I was looking into transferring into WGU's BSN online program. I live in Michigan and the BSN program is not provided.. I was told that I could receive my BSN after my RN ..since that online program is available for all states.. here's my question .... my goal is to be a NP or Nurse Midwife...... I come across plenty of RN to MSN programs... Do you think not getting a BSN will affect my career path negatively? Will it hinder me when it comes to job hunting? Does a BSN even matter after you go through one these RN-MSN programs?

:)

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It probably won't matter if you go straight from an associate's degree to a Master's program, provided you have a good amount of experience as a nurse.

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planning to work for 1 or 2 years before going into an RN-MSN prg!

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

If you know what you want to do, don't waste the length of time to go RN-BSN-MSN/FNP. There are excellent RN to MSN/FNP programs.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If you're able to get an acute care job with an AS/AD in your neck of the woods, there shouldn't be any problem. However, if hospitals are only hiring BSNs, you'd be up a creek for sure because you'll need relevant experience in order to be accepted to an NP or CNM program.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

This is a very valid point.

If this is the case: BSN required, many hospitals will require that you work on BSN "or higher" within "x" amount of time.

MSN/FNP definitely qualifies as "or higher".

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Thank you all for the replies ..... this was very helpful :D

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