Which is option is more realistic: RN-BSN or RN-MSN?

hudno · Nov 8, 2010

It really depends on how much experience you have as an RN. For example, I have been an RN for 7 years with 7 years of previous LVN experience. I have extensive ER and Critical Care Transport experience. In the last three years I have aquired OR experience. I hold an ASN, CEN and CNOR; I have been a charge nurse, coordinator, supervisor, scheduler and participated in hiring and QA processes. There is no reason for me to obtain a BSN as I have accomplished all this with experience and an ASN. For this reason, I have chosen to bypass the BSN and go straight to the MSN.

If you have little or no experience as an RN, than the BSN pathway should be pursued with subsequent experience aquired. Employers are looking for experienced RNs first and then education second (by saying this, if the job came down to an Associate's RN with many years of experience vice a BSN RN with no experience, the experienced nurse will win).

Hope this helps a little. Sorry it is much later than your original post.

allnurses Guide · Nov 11, 2010

My experience is limited, but I'll tell you what I encountered. I have an RN-MSN from a dierct entry program and am certified as an FNP. I looked for a part time RN job after passing NCLEX in 2008 and could not find anything. I think this was due to a combination of reasons-1. The depressed economy and no one was hiring RNs in my area, and 2) No one wanted to hire an RN that would leave as soon as the MSN was finished, and 3) I had an RN, not a BSN, and most places were looking for BSNs. Interestingly, I had several NP job offers before graduation. Most employers didn't care that I had no RN experience-they were more concerned about my not having NP experience. So, I went to work as an NP immediately and have never looked back. I thought it was very ironic that the new BSN grads from my school struggled to find jobs, while every single NP grad (both with and without RN experience) had jobs within 3 months of graduation. It doesn't seem that my lack of RN experience has affected my ability to perform well as an NP. Now granted, I work in an outpatient setting, not in a hospital. I think RN experience is important if you plan on working as a hospitalist or an acute care NP.

So, in a nutshell, I think it would be helpful to look at the job market in your area and see what employers are looking for. Also, if you personally want to gain experience as an RN, getting the BSN might be your best bet, as it may be more attractive to employers than an RN without the BSN. Howver, if your primary goal is to be an NP, than also look at what people want. Maybe go on a couple of informational interviews and see what kind of experience is attractive to employers. Then you'll have the information to make the best choice for you. Finally, you need to look at the regulations in your state. If you have an MSN and are certified as an NP, you are still held to the standards of an NP even if you work as an RN, at least in some states.