Which route to take?

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2016

Oh. Sorry, I just don't know much about the college system(obviously) as I am the first of my family to be attending a university right out of high school. I thought that there might've been other routes available to get a masters degree other than graduate school such as online programs and such.

I totally get how confusing all this college business can be when you're the first in your family to go through it. Especially in nursing, where there are so many levels of practice and options for entry into those different levels. I won't go into all the options, since most options won't apply to you (i.e. RN to BSN, LVN to RN, ADN to MSN, etc.).

Let's look into your options once you've completed a BSN. You can either go into a traditional entry Master's program or Doctorate program. Master's nursing programs tend to be MSNs, doctorate programs are either DNPs or PhDs. DNPs are more common. Both are research oriented. I myself don't really know the difference, but there are lots of resources available online or posts in this forum that try to explain the difference. Here's one: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/dnp/ContrastGrid.pdf.

To practice as an NP, you'll need a Master's at the very least, but you can also be an NP with a DNP or PhD. Being an NP is about licensure and not degree. For example, I can be an RN with an ADN, BSN, or no degree at all if I were a previous LVN that took the 30-unit option in California. As long as the requirements for the RN license are met by the nursing program, the actual degree you hold doesn't matter. Same thing with NP. If the requirements for NP certification are met by the graduate program, it doesn't matter if it is an MSN, DNP, or PhD, although most PhD programs don't usually cater to preparing someone for clinical practice and instead focus on academic research. As such, you'll likely be looking into traditional MSN or dnp programs if you're looking into becoming an NP after your BSN.

MSN or DNP programs can be classroom, online, or a mix of both. Online graduate programs are still graduate programs, the only difference is the way in which the educational material is delivered. The type of program you apply to (online or in-person) comes down to the type of learner you are. Being online doesn't mean a program is sub-par. Many reputable, well-regarded, traditional universities offer online versions of their programs.

Anyway, you wouldn't be applying to graduate schools until your senior year of your BSN program at the earliest, similarly to the way you are applying to universities now for your undergrad in your senior year of high school. This is why I keep saying not to worry about it right now, it's still another 4 years away at the earliest.

Breh_118 · Feb 8, 2016

I totally get how confusing all this college business can be when you're the first in your family to go through it. Especially in nursing, where there are so many levels of practice and options for entry into those different levels. I won't go into all the options, since most options won't apply to you (i.e. RN to BSN, LVN to RN, ADN to MSN, etc.).
Let's look into your options once you've completed a BSN. You can either go into a traditional entry Master's program or Doctorate program. Master's nursing programs tend to be MSNs, doctorate programs are either DNPs or PhDs. DNPs are more common. Both are research oriented. I myself don't really know the difference, but there are lots of resources available online or posts in this forum that try to explain the difference. Here's one: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/dnp/ContrastGrid.pdf.
To practice as an NP, you'll need a Master's at the very least, but you can also be an NP with a DNP or PhD. Being an NP is about licensure and not degree. For example, I can be an RN with an ADN, BSN, or no degree at all if I were a previous LVN that took the 30-unit option in California. As long as the requirements for the RN license are met by the nursing program, the actual degree you hold doesn't matter. Same thing with NP. If the requirements for NP certification are met by the graduate program, it doesn't matter if it is an MSN, DNP, or PhD, although most PhD programs don't usually cater to preparing someone for clinical practice and instead focus on academic research. As such, you'll likely be looking into traditional MSN or DNP programs if you're looking into becoming an NP after your BSN.
MSN or DNP programs can be classroom, online, or a mix of both. Online graduate programs are still graduate programs, the only difference is the way in which the educational material is delivered. The type of program you apply to (online or in-person) comes down to the type of learner you are. Being online doesn't mean a program is sub-par. Many reputable, well-regarded, traditional universities offer online versions of their programs.
Anyway, you wouldn't be applying to graduate schools until your senior year of your BSN program at the earliest, similarly to the way you are applying to universities now for your undergrad in your senior year of high school. This is why I keep saying not to worry about it right now, it's still another 4 years away at the earliest.

This was actually a great help in clearing things up for me. I am very much grateful. I'll take note of your advice on taking things a step at a time. I guess I am getting a little too ahead of myself.