Which degree?: ADN, BSN, MSN?

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I am considering nursing as a second career and I am wondering if I should go for ASN, BSN or MSN degree. I have a BA and a graduate degree in other fields, so I could get into MSN program straight I wanted to. Are there differences in terms of pay and the nature of job? Any relevant information would be highly appreciated!

:banghead:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Well, you can't get an MSN unless you have either an ADN or BSN. And no you can't be admitted into the MSN program with other degrees. You would have needed to complete an ADN or BSN and hold an RN license.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, yym1 and Welcome to allnurses.com

Good to have you with us.

One can enter what is referred to as a, "second degree or alternate entry", option and obtain an MSN (Masters in Nursing).

If you already have a Bachelors in another discipline and have the required pre-requisites, you can directly enter into a Masters program in many schools.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Really? I didn't think one could do that. I thought all MSNs require an applicant to hold a nursing license.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Yes, many enter, directly, into second-degree programs. Not all are aware of this pathway, however.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

yym1-

Tell us what you want to do with your nursing degree and that will help us advise you. Do you picture yourself working in a physician's office, in a hospital, working in the public sector, etc? Also, is there are particular area you might be interested in (ER, L&D, School nursing, Home Health, long term care)?

Just a side note, don't make the mistake of thinking that because you have a graduate degree that you will automatically excel in nursing school. There were three people with graduate degrees in my nursing program and I am the only one that graduated.

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Thanks for the tips on MSN. I'd like to be a specialized nurse working in a hospital. I want to be a nurse anesthesiologist, but the local school doesn't have this program and I don't want to relocate at this point. It does have an alternative entry MSN that leads to a CNS certification. My understanding is if you want to work in a physician's office or nursing home, it won't matter whether you have ADN or MSN. But if you'd like to be more specialized, MSN would help. Am I right? What would be the pay difference? Thanks for your help!!!

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

Well that is tricky, I mean if you wanted to do education with a CNS certification the problem will be that you won't have enough experience to do the job properly and that's just my personal opinion because the CNS's that I know are all super nurses that have been on the job and have seen and know everything (that comes with experience as well as education).

If I were you, I'd get a BSN (try to do it through an accelerated second degree program if you can- it's faster). Then I would work for a couple of years to see if I actually LIKED nursing and which floor had the best fit.

Then get the hospital to pay for your MSN. By then, you might be in a better position to get a CRNA (which will require a couple of years of critical care experience anyway) or at least you'll have a better idea of what kind of CNS you'd like to be.

Does that make sense? That's my two cents- take it or leave it. Good luck with your decision!!!

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bachelors degree at minimum

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
Really? I didn't think one could do that. I thought all MSNs require an applicant to hold a nursing license.

If you have a BA/BS in another field you can get into an MSN program...the first year is spent getting the RN...VERY VERY intense!:bugeyes:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm not sure what you mean by "specialized nurse in a hospital". RNs with ADNs and BSNs are in all areas throughout a hospital such as nurse, ob, critical care, operating room......well everywhere. There isn't much difference in pay for entry level nursing with either degree. The BSN degree is handy if you want to advance your career later on down the line away from the bedside such as in leadership, safety, quality, research, etc.

I agree that if you think your situation might change in a few years and you'd like to go to CRNA school, having the BSN is the degree to get now.

Get the MSN if you envision yourself in an advacned position such as in education - either in a hospital as an educator or on a collegiate level, research, or upper management such as a director level.

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Hi there....im not yet a nurse but soon i hope. Im now on my 4th level of BS Nursing.. Im from the Philippines by the way. Ill be graduating nxt march. Now im kinda confuse on what to do on my career. After i graduate i plan to take my local board exam here in phil to get my license. And after that i want to take the NClex exam. And after doing all this ill be joining my husband in France. What i heard n know here in the forum my local board and the Nclex is not reccognized in france. Thats the part im confused. How can i work in france if i dnt have license? And iv heard that i need to upgrade my school or continue education there to be able to work... If you know something abt this kindly enlighten me.... coz i really wanted to work as soon as im there wanting to help my family and my husband...

thanks

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