What can MSNs do that BSNs can't do?

Nurses General Nursing

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Well, anyone care to comment on what nurses with more education can do?

Zen, what does 10,000 plus posts net me? I don't even have BSN yet.....wooops!

(couldn't resist) hahahah!

It means you need to get a life...mostly...and hit the books! :chuckle

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I just posted elsewhere asking a similar question but feel stuck. I am doing pre-reqs for BSN but when I found out about a Master's Entry program in my area (which is three years: first year to get the RN license and two years for specialty), I got excited. I would be in school the same amount of time (I already have a bachelor's in an unrelated field), though it would cost more. The thing that appeals to me is a specialty called "Advanced Community Health and International Nursing". It's exactly what I am interested in. But can I still get direct care work with a MSN or would I be 'overqualified'?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

that zen, was really rude. I am sorry you felt the need to say that to me. . Oh and you do not know me, so I will forgive you a bit; but those who do know I am in an RN-BSN program, thank you very much. See ya. Think next time before you respond, if you do not mean to be rude. If you do, so sorry for you.

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deb,

it is irrelevant whether you're going for your bsn or not....doesn't the content of one's character mean anything anymore? there are many people that have degrees but still fail to teach anything of substance. and yes, i've learned much from you....deep breath. ;)

leslie

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

(((((((((Leslie)))))))))

thanks for that. I will bow out of this thread. I don't need any more aggravation in my life. I was trying to be funny, but got an insult for a comeback. NIIIIIIIIIIICE and VERRRRRRRRRRY educated.

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llg......Yes, that is what I aspire to. I have thought about this route a 100 times and for the same reasons that you state. I now know that I am on the right path. I have started late in life, but I don't care. This is what I truly want to do.

Thanks for the inspiration.

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that zen, was really rude. I am sorry you felt the need to say that to me. . Oh and you do not know me, so I will forgive you a bit; but those who do know I am in an RN-BSN program, thank you very much. See ya. Think next time before you respond, if you do not mean to be rude. If you do, so sorry for you.

How in the heck did you get any rudeness out of my statement with a chuckle! I understood that your comment was a jab at me...and that was ok. I didn't take it personally! Are you saying only one-sided jabs are the rule? Nothing I do here is personal. When I do though, I preface it as such! Here's an example (not directed at anyone): "Ok, this is personal: You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny!" And I'm really glad you're in a BSN program, trust me! And don't be running off, dang it! Someone get her back here!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

see your PM please Zen. thank you.

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In answer to the original question:

I have my MSNA. What can I do now that I could not do as an RN? Lets see. I can do anesthesia for general surgery. I can do epidural and spinal anesthesia. I am often consulted for pain management issues. I can job shop anytime I like, and if a position that interests me comes open, they will fly me there for an interview. If I take the position, there is usually a substantial sign on bonus, paid up front. The new position will pay for me to move, including my entire family, to where ever we are going. I get paid between three and five times what I made as a staff nurse.

And best of all, what I am doing has an immediate, positive impact on the patient. (I guess that's not too different from what I did as a staff nurse.) If the patient wakes from a general anesthetic and is in pain or nauseated, I don't have to call anybody for meds to help the patient. I just give the patient the meds. And I get the satisfaction of seeing the near immediate relief.

There are a few downsides, too. I have to take call in most places I go. I often have to work all night (or most of it) when on call, then still work the next day. I don't have quite the interaction with families that I had as a staff nurse. But overall, the increased responsibility and abilities more than make up for these piddling negatives.

Yep, I love what I do.

Kevin McHugh

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
I just posted elsewhere asking a similar question but feel stuck. I am doing pre-reqs for BSN but when I found out about a Master's Entry program in my area (which is three years: first year to get the RN license and two years for specialty), I got excited. I would be in school the same amount of time (I already have a bachelor's in an unrelated field), though it would cost more. The thing that appeals to me is a specialty called "Advanced Community Health and International Nursing". It's exactly what I am interested in. But can I still get direct care work with a MSN or would I be 'overqualified'?

Oooh that program sounds interesting!

I think your question is if you can still do direct patient care with an MSN. Absolutely.

The nursing profession, currently, doesn't seem to place much emphasis on advanced degrees. While there is an obvious downside to that, the up side is that you can be employed as a staff nurse and no one will find you overqualified. In fact, I can't think of ANY RN who would be "overqualified" for patient care.

If I were in your situation, since you have a BS already, I would go the RN-MSN route. Definitely.

PS. Kevin, while I've never met you personally, I'd want you to manage my epidural if the need arose. :D

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Specializes in Government.

kmchugh, I think there is an enormous difference between opportunities for Nurse Anesthetists and those with other MSNs. My friends who are NAs do very well, as you indicated. Those I know with MSNs have had to be very creative/take pay cuts from general RN salaries/ go back to floor nursing to make a living. At least where I live.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I just posted elsewhere asking a similar question but feel stuck. I am doing pre-reqs for BSN but when I found out about a Master's Entry program in my area (which is three years: first year to get the RN license and two years for specialty), I got excited. I would be in school the same amount of time (I already have a bachelor's in an unrelated field), though it would cost more. The thing that appeals to me is a specialty called "Advanced Community Health and International Nursing". It's exactly what I am interested in. But can I still get direct care work with a MSN or would I be 'overqualified'?

If I were entering nursing now and already had a BS in another field, I would definitely go the direct-entry MSN route. While it requires a little more investment up-front, you get a lot more for your money in the long run. I feel sorry for some of the people I meet or read about who are starting with an ADN added on to a BS in another field. Many of those folks will have to return to school again for a BSN and then return yet again for an MSN.

Getting the MSN to begin with is much, much more efficient. In fact, depending on your original degree and the particular schools you go to ... you might actually come out ahead in the long run compared to those people who started with a BSN and then got an MSN. That original education adds valuable knowledge to your nursing education.

I have always believed that people starting with an MSN should work as a staff nurse for a year or two before seeking an advanced position and have known several people who have done that and then moved on to a variety of advanced positions.

Good luck,

llg

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