Start Date August 1st, 2014 - BSN vs. MSN

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Hello WGU students/alumni,

I will be starting the RN-BSN program on August 1st, just curious if there is anyone else that will be starting at that time. I'm just looking for someone that I could possibly connect with throughout the program:) a person to stay motivated with!

I'm very excited to start, just a little anxious as I don't know what to expect! My enrollment counselor will be opening the education without boundaries course next week, as I just submitted my background check and received clearance yesterday (7/18/14).

Lastly, I have been in great debate about staying with the BSN program or just going on and completing the MSN portion. My hesitation is that currently, I am working in a position that I don't need a BSN to hold - and I absolutely love it! However, I am government funded so that is always a little scary as my position could be cut or changed at any time. That is why I feel as though I need to complete at least the BSN, so that if changes/cuts happen I will hopefully find another position similar to what I have now. However, in this long debate, I have been considering to just go forth and complete the MSN portion as long as I am pursing a higher degree because of the bridge program. Is it even worth it to add MSN knowing that the changes are taking place for pursing education for NP's (which would be the future goal, if I were to pursue the MSN). Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance:yes:!!!

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I am starting August 1st for the ASN to MSN program. So excited! I figured I just needed to go for it, the MSN and all. I don't have plans to leave bedside nursing just because I have an MSN. It will open more doors for the future and help me be a better nurse.

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I say GO FoR IT! WGU is affordable and higher education is always a plus.

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You don't have to make the decision right now - you can start off as BSN and switch to MSN if you decide it's going well. There are only about 3 classes that have different BSN and MSN versions, so you can switch to BSN to MSN as long as you haven't done those classes. Just let your mentor know you haven't made the decision yet, and s/he can avoid assigning you those classes.

In my research, I found that some (though not all) NP programs have the same requirements for BSN and non-clinical MSN students, so the MSN would be no benefit for those programs. Also, an MSN has the potential to overqualify me for some jobs. At the time I was admitted, the policy was that RN to MSN candidates who completed the BSN portion of the program but not the MSN portion would not receive a degree, so that was the final straw against it for me, since the BSN is really what I need right now. However, people constantly hear different things about that particular policy, so you should ask that for yourself if it matters to you (and I'd do it via email to get the answer in writing!).

Also, if you plan to use financial aid, check to see if RN to MSN will negatively impact your options. I'm not sure you can get pell grants if you're doing MSN.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I stopped at the BSN, but in my area an MSN would over qualify me for almost everything and I have no desire to teach nursing, be a manager, or be a practitioner. I may do the MSN later, but I'm starting the healthcare MBA soon and I'll decide after that. If you are interested in getting an MSN I'd just do the RN to MSN. So far everyone is getting the BSN mid-stream without a problem.

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Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave a comment:) It really is greatly appreciated! I think I will stick with where I am for now and decide after a class or two if I want to make the switch to the MSN portion.

I am very excited to further my education with getting the BSN, this program seems great and exactly what I am looking for. I truly have been looking for quit some time.

chrty_knox, best of luck on continuing your education, please stay in contact and let me know how it's going for you:)

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

It is interesting to read other perspectives on bsn vs msn and it really just seems a matter of personal choice. For me the Msn will be a personal best because I have always looked at it as a high standard of nursing to master my craft, also because WGU makes it so incredibly easy the way they bridge the two it makes it a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. What is of more interest to me is the comment over how the master will over-qualify you, I have never thought of it in this way. Looking at other professionals who receive their masters are they also over-qualified? Also I have worked side by side with diploma nurses and master's prepared together on my unit so wasn't aware that a masters could potentially be a negative as far as getting a job. Maybe I am reading to much into this.

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I agree with you passionflower. I am just trying to be a great nurse no matter where I am at so I can't comprehend how an MSN is overqualified either. The standard is leaning toward MSN for most all nurses in the future. How is this a negative thing? Not trying to distract from the OP but I wonder.

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

I just applied for the RN-MSN program myself. Anyone else get a text with a code that waived the application fee? That was nice. I too, am debating on whether to just complete the RN-BSN or go through to MSN.

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Specializes in Maternal Child Health, GYN.

Starting August 1st!!! I will send you a PM...

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Hi feartherzRN, I am considering the MBA program as well. I finished the BSN in January. I am having a hard time finding feedback or recent experiences since the new curriculum was implemented. Have you found any updated student experiences? For example, how fast are people progressing? How in tune are study materials with actual OA's ? Or are people having a hard time passing tests? I am concerned because I have seen some negative posts regarding the changes in the new BSN and MSN programs.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.
Hi feartherzRN, I am considering the MBA program as well. I finished the BSN in January. I am having a hard time finding feedback or recent experiences since the new curriculum was implemented. Have you found any updated student experiences? For example, how fast are people progressing? How in tune are study materials with actual OA's ? Or are people having a hard time passing tests? I am concerned because I have seen some negative posts regarding the changes in the new BSN and MSN programs.

Was talking to someone today- apparently the MBA new program is so new it's starting with me, in September. :p

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