The Johns Hopkins University MSN Entry into Nursing - Worth the price?? - ABSN or Entry MSN?

Published

I've just recently been accepted to the Johns Hopkins Entry MSN program. It's my dream school and am extremely grateful considering they're the #1 program in nursing. I'm wondering if anybody has experience with the program, receiving their MSN and what their experience has been. Do you see a big pay difference between a ABSN RN and a MSN RN? I'm debating whether it's worth the debt I will potentially get into when compared to an ABSN. Below are a few factors. 
 

1. I have been given a grant by the school that will cover half of my tuition over the entre program.
 

2. I would move away from California about two years. 
 

3. The program doesn't with an NP position and I would need to go back for a DNP and more debt. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I'm not familiar with the Johns Hopkins program but I know of Masters Entry graduates from other schools (ie, UC Davis). The program prepares individuals with a Bachelors in another field to become RN's with a Master's degree. You are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and will be at the same level as an ADN and BSN when you start your nursing career. 

I am a nurse practitioner so the best analogy I can compare this to is the fact the we NP's now have two degree paths to practice...Master's or DNP. Fresh off our programs, we all will be paid roughly the same salary so the degree will not make much of a difference at first. In the long run, are there better options for those who have a DNP? Perhaps, some academic positions only require a doctorate and in some schools a DNP is getting more respect previously only afforded to PhD. 

In your case, you will start as an entry level nurse just like someone fresh off a BSN program. However, in the long run after gaining significant experience, can your degree help you advance further? Maybe, there are nursing positions that specifically asks for a Master's degree in Nursing and you already have it.

In terms of the cost, how much cheaper is the ABSN and what are your chances of getting in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion