Which to pursue? RN-BSN or RN-MSN?

[nurse jane doe]

I am a registered nurse at the moment. I say 'at the moment' because I've toyed with the idea of moving on. The job market is awful for nurses in my area right now. (I live in northwest Ohio). Moving is out of the question. I started as an LPN and did an LPN to ADN bridge, thinking that would allow me to specialize as I wanted to. Unfortunately, I'm still in long term care. The same place as I was as an LPN. Now, with more places looking for BSN-RNs, I need to move up again if I want my specialty. My desired specialty is wound care. In order to be certified, I need at least a BSN. I'm afraid to spend the money to go back for a BSN, if when I get there, there are no jobs. Everybody says "oh you're a nurse... tons of places need nurses." Problem is, they aren't nurses, and they have no idea about the nursing job market. I have an opportunity to do an RN to MSN program. I would be able to do a wound care based capstone and the networking would be prime for getting into a wound care specialty. However, this program does NOT include a BSN. I would go straight from associate's to master's. I don't want to waste an entire year (and add to my already enormous college loan debt) with a BSN if I don't absolutely need it. There is a RN to BSN program closer to me (and it costs less), but I'm leaning towards the master's simply for the better opportunities. I'm 31. I don't want to go to school forever. But I also don't want to stay stuck where I am. I'm just not a bedside nurse. I'm not good with small talk. I get bored with passing meds. I'm painfully shy. But by God, I love a nasty wound!

Would there be any reason for me to get a BSN, rather than the MSN? Or should I just go for it?

[lighthouse2]

I am currently working on my RNBSN. I plan on continuing to my MSN and NP. I'm not sure which way is better. I feel like I am taking the long expensive route, but so far I am enjoying it.

[Autry]

"I have an opportunity to do an RN to MSN program. I would be able to do a wound care based capstone and the networking would be prime for getting into a wound care specialty."

You're answering your own question with this statement. If wound care is what you want to do, then why would you question an opportunity that provides you with exactly what you're looking for? There will never be a shortage of wounds, no matter where you want to work, and with the specialization, certifications and contacts you can make in an MSN program I wouldn't question that decision at all. If you're not sure it's what you want to do, what benefit would the BSN have over an MSN? (I currently cannot think of any benefit to having the BSN vs MSN... as they are just levels of education, not levels of experience.)

Best of luck to you in this decision!

[leahmdavis]

I have the same dilemma as yours. I have been an RN ADN for 8 years. A year ago I decided to pursue my BSN online with Kaplan university with the plan to maybe continue with MSN after, but I came across Capella university with a much better curriculum for BSN. I've decided to transfer but that would also mean starting almost all over again since I haven't taken much at Kaplan. I thought of staying for the sake of time since I've already started there but at the same time feel that I'd have a better gain in knowledge and competence after graduation if I went with Capella. But to save time and $, I had to figure out if I'm really going for MSN after. To answer my question, I have to really look at my long-term goals and see which track would be best appropriate to get me there. The answe is MSN. Though I'd like to have my BSN, which won't mean as much if I'd have to go for MSN for my goal anyway, then there's no point for pursuing BSN. It won't be the most time efficient & cost effective way to reach my goal. So now it all comes down to transferring to Capella & enrolling to RN-MSN program. I hope you've figured out yours.