RN-MSN vs. RN-BSN-MSN???

ivanh3 · Oct 14, 2009

Hello,
have a quick question for some of you... I am an RN with an ADN, I would like to head back to school to become an NP(adult health). I was just wondering what the benefits (besides the length of time) were for going the RN-BSN-MSN track vs. RN-MSN route? Also, anyone apply to schools in the Boston area?? Love to hear feedback!
Thanks....

I have an ASN. In 8 weeks I graduate from Graceland University (8 weeks...yikes). It has taken me exactly three years full time to go through their program. When I graduate I will get two degrees: a BSN and an MSN. They are a little pricey, but I have no complaints. Graceland allows some of the master's level courses to count towards your bachelors credits, and allows you to take some of your master's classes during the undergrad phase. For example: I took advanced assessment (master's level) during my undergrad phase. This counted as my undergrad assessment and my masters class. Saved me about 1 semester or so by doing that. I look at it as being able to get my BSN in one year, and then a standard two year masters.

If at some point in the Graceland program you decide you don't want to pursue the master's anymore, they allow you to "opt out". You just have take the capstone coursework for bachelors and assuming you have completed all the rest, you can stop with a BSN.

Oh yeah, if you maintain a high enough average, you don't have to take the GRE to get into the masters phase.

Hope that helps,

Ivan

You might as well do the BSN first then look for BSN - DNP.

Respectfully, I disagree. There would be no significant difference in time: 1 to 2 years for ADN to BSN, then 3 years for DNP (total= 4-5 years until advance practice could start) vs 3 years for ADN to MSN, then 2 years for DNP (total 5 years with advance practice beginning in 3 years). Also, just because there is talk of mandatory DNP by 2015 doesn't mean it will happen (If I had to bet right now, I would bet no). There is still much to figure out.