I had plans to be a doctor. After attending one semester of medical school it was not the right fit for me. I graduated with a human biology degree with a health science emphasis. I am debating whether I should do an accelerated BSN or direct entry masters program.
Medical school was $53,000 a year, and I’d really like to be a nurse. My goal is to save up and work as a nurse a few years before I likely become an NP. However, I'd like to find the cheapest way to do this.
I have applied to the accelerated BSN which would be 12 months and about $42,000. If I did the BSN program I'd live at home and commute as it is close and not have too many expenses. I could also likely start in October 2020 and be done in October 2021. Then I'd work as a nurse and do to school part-time and do a tuition reimbursement program at my work.
I have inquired about a few state schools' direct entry MSN programs but I am honestly not sure the best way to proceed. I’ve worked as CNA for 3 years and started working in the hospital just recently. Interviews for the accelerated BSN are end of April so things are moving quickly. Any advice for me?
@anewmanx I ended up discontinuing the program for a number of reasons. I did well in my classes and clinical rotations though. I agree with you; I think being a PA is a good job and if you go to the right school, you will probably make out great. I unfortunately went to a newer program that had a lot of issues. There were other programs I would have rather gone to but it's so competitive that you just go wherever you get accepted. I don't want to hate on the PA profession because I support them, but I just think nursing and NP route is a little safer. About 1/4 of the people in my PA program did not graduate from the program and had no backup plan after. I know that happens in RN and NP programs also, but from my experience, it doesn't seem to be at the rate it happens in PA programs.
There are also ADN-MSN bridge programs. Depending on your debt load from PA school that’s an option.
‘If you got quite far in your pay program perhaps another program would give you a second chance and transfer in a bunch.
@anewmanx I've thought about ADN but all of the programs seem to take a long time to complete and time is more important to me than cost. That's another thing about PA school too: unfortunately nothing transfers between schools ?
@anewmanx I've thought about ADN but all of the programs seem to take a long time to complete and time is more important to me than cost. That's another thing about PA school too: unfortunately nothing transfers between schools ?
Sadly, he cheap ADN programs are also much more competitive because they are cheap... tons of applicants. I’m in the same boat. Where I already have a bachelors with an excellent GPA direct entry masters is what I’m aiming for followed by pmhnp certification. I’m sure your pa school prerequisites and the material you did cover will be a real asset.
I’m having a very hard time deciding on a nursing program. The first BSN program is accelerated for 12 months, starting in October 2020 to October 2021 but is $42,000. The other would not be accelerated starting this Summer but $12,000-14,000 cheaper. They would give me a lot of scholarships but would not finish until May of 2022. Any advice?
It's just too bad because the more expensive ones has clinicals in the area where I'd possibly like to be working.
I’m having a very hard time deciding on a nursing program. The first BSN program is accelerated for 12 months, starting in October 2020 to October 2021 but is $42,000. The other would not be accelerated starting this Summer but $12,000-14,000 cheaper. They would give me a lot of Scholarships but would not finish until May of 2022. Any advice?
It's just too bad because the more expensive ones has clinicals in the area where I'd possibly like to be working.
Those clinicals could be an opportunity to network for a job at graduation. Consider the upside $$$ to that extra tuition. Working two-three months earlier wipes out the tuition difference.
@futurern13 I'm sorry to hear that PA school didn't work out for you. I'm also another person who unfortunately was dismissed from a PA program. Would like to privately message you... message me.
I'm not a nurse and have only limited experience as a CNA. In addition, I'm will be starting a direct entry MSN program (Johns Hopkins) and gave up a spot at a traditional BSN program (CSU East Bay). By no means am I an expert on the topic, but as someone older, time and money were considerations. I have a bachelor's in economics.
The cheapest route, in general, is going to a local community college and completing their ADN program, which in California, seems to be around five thousand dollars, and about two years (four or five semesters). This will make you eligible for the NCLEX to become an RN. From there, you can try to get into some kind of bridge program. Some of the local bridge programs are one semester to get the BSN. I haven't heard of them being another two years. Most can be completed online. I guess it could take two years if you do only one class at a time. I'm not familiar with ADN to NP programs, but those will have more clinical hours, so part of it will not be online. Most programs probably about, at a state school, seven to ten thousand dollars. From there you do the NP program, which is anywhere from two to four years. Obviously the cost of the programs will vary. Public school programs are very popular because they are cheaper than private schools. I'm also not taking into account any money you could earn working as a RN since that will vary on experience, environment, and hospital you work.
As for a ABSN and direct entry MSN program, they are more expensive the options I mentioned above. The advantage they give you over the ADN is that you're not going to get eliminate from the applicant if they employer gets too many applications; I've heard eliminate the ADN is just easier for them. You also have a little more training. Remember though, you're still going to be green as a blade of grass coming out of school. To this regard, the direct entry MSN is not that advantageous. Later on with some experience, having MSN can be advantage over someone with BSN. You are a RN with more training. Having a MSN may open other opportunities for you such as teaching.
Depending on the direct entry program you go to, you may be able to transfer some of the course work over to the NP program, especially if it is the same school. Some schools, this could be up to a year's worth of course work. That is a lot of time and money saved. And some states are considering requiring NP to have DNP to practice as a NP; California is one discussing it.
My suggestion, apply to several programs. You'll get into some, you'll get rejected by others. All the programs are difficult to get into. In general, you'll find most programs get around five hundred applicants for about fifty spots. BSN programs, the top point earners get admission offers, but they will require you to do the TEAS/HESI; ADN programs require this too. A lot of ADN programs are going lottery for those who qualify; after so many tries, you'll get offered a spot if not selected; my local community college is the fourth year. Masters programs vary a bit. Bridge programs, at least the ADN-BSN that I've heard about, offer admission to those who qualify since they usually don't get more applicants that spots; when they do, it's a lottery.
With that said, be realistic in what you expect from the program you apply and get into. If a MSN program, don't think you're going to be a charge nurse out of school. Don't think you're going to be better than nurse with a BSN that has ten years experience on they belt. If you don't know what you like the specialize in as a nurse, then a MSN program is a better first since, like a BSN and ADN, you'll do clinical hours in various departments and hopefully that will help you figure it out. Some direct entry programs will make you pick a specialty when you're applying that cannot be changed.
End of the day, see what opportunities present themselves. You may not have to choose one over the other. Do your research and learn your options, but don't put the cart before the horse.
I'm not a nurse and have only limited experience as a CNA. In addition, I'm will be starting a direct entry MSN program (Johns Hopkins) and gave up a spot at a traditional BSN program (CSU East Bay). By no means am I an expert on the topic, but as someone older, time and money were considerations. I have a bachelor's in economics.
The cheapest route, in general, is going to a local community college and completing their ADN program, which in California, seems to be around five thousand dollars, and about two years (four or five semesters). This will make you eligible for the NCLEX to become an RN. From there, you can try to get into some kind of bridge program. Some of the local bridge programs are one semester to get the BSN. I haven't heard of them being another two years. Most can be completed online. I guess it could take two years if you do only one class at a time. I'm not familiar with ADN to NP programs, but those will have more clinical hours, so part of it will not be online. Most programs probably about, at a state school, seven to ten thousand dollars. From there you do the NP program, which is anywhere from two to four years. Obviously the cost of the programs will vary. Public school programs are very popular because they are cheaper than private schools. I'm also not taking into account any money you could earn working as a RN since that will vary on experience, environment, and hospital you work.
As for a ABSN and direct entry MSN program, they are more expensive the options I mentioned above. The advantage they give you over the ADN is that you're not going to get eliminate from the applicant if they employer gets too many applications; I've heard eliminate the ADN is just easier for them. You also have a little more training. Remember though, you're still going to be green as a blade of grass coming out of school. To this regard, the direct entry MSN is not that advantageous. Later on with some experience, having MSN can be advantage over someone with BSN. You are a RN with more training. Having a MSN may open other opportunities for you such as teaching.
Depending on the direct entry program you go to, you may be able to transfer some of the course work over to the NP program, especially if it is the same school. Some schools, this could be up to a year's worth of course work. That is a lot of time and money saved. And some states are considering requiring NP to have DNP to practice as a NP; California is one discussing it.
My suggestion, apply to several programs. You'll get into some, you'll get rejected by others. All the programs are difficult to get into. In general, you'll find most programs get around five hundred applicants for about fifty spots. BSN programs, the top point earners get admission offers, but they will require you to do the TEAS/HESI; ADN programs require this too. A lot of ADN programs are going lottery for those who qualify; after so many tries, you'll get offered a spot if not selected; my local community college is the fourth year. Masters programs vary a bit. Bridge programs, at least the ADN-BSN that I've heard about, offer admission to those who qualify since they usually don't get more applicants that spots; when they do, it's a lottery.
With that said, be realistic in what you expect from the program you apply and get into. If a MSN program, don't think you're going to be a charge nurse out of school. Don't think you're going to be better than nurse with a BSN that has ten years experience on they belt. If you don't know what you like the specialize in as a nurse, then a MSN program is a better first since, like a BSN and ADN, you'll do clinical hours in various departments and hopefully that will help you figure it out. Some direct entry programs will make you pick a specialty when you're applying that cannot be changed.
End of the day, see what opportunities present themselves. You may not have to choose one over the other. Do your research and learn your options, but don't put the cart before the horse.
I decided to do an ABSN because many places won't hire direct entry students. Plus I can start ABSN in October. It's for one year and not as risky.
... many places won't hire direct entry students. ... ABSN ... not as risky.
I've never heard direct entry graduates not being able to find jobs; at least not any more than any other recent graduate. Like most things, a lot will depend on school reputation, what the recent graduate is looking for and willing to accept, and so forth.
The biggest "issue" I heard was the lack of floor time before getting an MSN. Maybe it's my ignorance from being a nurse, but this would be true for all nursing graduates that recently became RNs. There could be some better insights with having, say a year, a floor time before starting a MSN. I always seem to get the impression that people think a direct entry MSN graduate is going to be a charge nurse for a first job. That would be dangerous if that did occur. And that thinking misses the point of what the programs are designed to do.
Can't dispute the one year of school though. The shortest direct entry MSN program I heard of was UC Davis at eight teen months. All the other programs I saw were two to three years.
I did not apply to any ABSN programs because the ones near me were extremely expensive. And if I was going out of state, I was not going to end up with only bachelors. Plus for me already having a bachelors degree, all the programs were going to charge me treat me and charge me accordingly as a graduate student. Might as well get the graduate degree.
I cannot tell you if it was the "wise" choice. Talk to me in about four years, assuming I started working after the MSN program and did not go onto a DNP program.
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There are also ADN-MSN bridge programs. Depending on your debt load from PA school that’s an option.
‘If you got quite far in your pay program perhaps another program would give you a second chance and transfer in a bunch.