The cheapest way for an RN to get an MSN?

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What is the best route to go for an RN to get an MSN? RN-BSN and then getting an MSN? Or RN-MSN program. Ohio schools please.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

First, what type of MSN are you looking for? Nurse practitioner? Leadership? Education? Midwifery?

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Nurse practitioner

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Are you looking at specific schools? If so, what do they offer?

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Mostly Kent State. They offer an ADN, BSN, RN-BSN, and MSN programs. Other schools offer an RN to BSN to MSN program (Walsh, Ursuline, Akron). The RN to BSN to MSN is very appealing because it is the fastest way to get to the MSN but it does not allow me to earn my BSN online like the RN-BSN does. Also, I do not know which is the cheapest option. It is hard to tell from the websites. I am not an RN yet but would like to pursue the profession. My biggest issue is that I already have a Bachelor's degree so I will not be eligible for the same kind of financial aid as I was in my first undergrad. An accelerated program is going to be a little much for me because of my undergrad grades and it will be too time consuming. I have a 9 month old daughter. I will be applying to Kent Salem's traditional BSN program for Spring term but we all know how competitive the program is and acceptance is not guaranteed. I mentioned that my undergrad GPA is not the best. I am working on the rest of the prereqs right now. Basically, I am not counting on getting into the BSN program and having to do the ADN. From there I would like to go for NP in acute care pediatrics.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Keep in mind that if you truly want to be marketable, your best bet is obtaining bedside experience first. Many facilities are reluctant to hire MSN prepared nurses without experience.

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Well of course I would work as an RN for a while. I don't intend on just going straight to being an NP. NP is my end goal, though. I just do not want to accumulate too much more loans and do not want to spend more time in school than I need to. I hear the bridging programs are faster as opposed to doing a BSN and MSN separate. I would also assume that it cost less to do it that way, as well.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I would do RN-MSN CNL, work for awhile and get some experience, and then do a post masters certificate program.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

This thread has been moved to the Post-Graduate Nursing Student forum. Good luck on your future educational ventures.

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Thanks for the advice but would you say that this was a less expensive way as opposed to doing the RN to BSN and MSN separately?

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Check out your states schools, the ones near me have hybrid online so you only meet 3 times a quarter and its so much cheaper than most online programs. Plus you have the added benefit of having professors to call, meet with and you get in a cohort with other students. I was surprised to learn that basically none of my coworkers knew this option was there for them. Its not well advertised.

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