Are you proud of your work as a registered nurse and eager to continue building your skill set and making a difference in the healthcare sector? Then returning to nursing school and adding a new degree to your already impressive resume may be the right choice for you.
If you have already completed your associate degree in nursing (ADN), you may be thinking of taking the next step to pursue your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is a wonderful option, but it’s not the only path available to ADN-trained RNs.
Another approach to consider? The RN to MSN. It is possible to go directly from completing your ADN (and getting licensed as an RN) to graduating with your master’s degree.
Below, we look at this unique path and and answer the important question: What degrees do you need to be a nurse? Keep reading to discover the available BSN and MSN nursing pathways and the role they can play in your career.
Understanding the Nursing Career Ladder
Nursing is an appealing career track, in part, because it offers many opportunities for growth and advancement. This also can make it difficult to know which degrees or positions to seek and when. Notable rungs on the nursing career ladder include:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – As an entry-level nursing role, working as a CNA means performing basic administrative or care-oriented tasks under the supervision of an RN. Examples might include bathing, grooming, or repositioning patients. Training can typically be completed in a few short months.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) – Typically spanning 12 months, LPN and LVN programs allow nurses to develop basic clinical skills. LPNs and LVNs perform essential tasks such as taking vital signs or administering medications.
- Registered Nurse (RN) – RNs have a broader scope of practice than CNAs or LPNs. This level of nursing can be secured by completing one of two degrees: an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Regardless of educational achievements, passing the NCLEX-RN exam is always necessary to become an RN.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Pursued before or after becoming an RN, the BSN is a four-year degree that conveys competence with evidence-based practice, along with exceptional research skills and a nuanced understanding of the healthcare system, patient care technologies, and leadership principles necessary for managing complex clinical environments.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Building upon the foundation of the BSN, the MSN represents a rigorous graduate-level degree program that can help RNs climb the career ladder and obtain in-demand roles such as advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or nurse practitioner (NP).
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) – Specialized roles in APRN nursing call for education and training above and beyond what is completed by a BSN nurse. APRNs are highly respected professionals who receive considerable autonomy in a professional capacity.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Helping high-level nurses prepare for leadership clinical and non-clinical roles, the DNP emphasizes evidence-based practice. Like the PhD in Nursing, this is a terminal degree.
- PhD in Nursing – Emphasizing high-level research methodologies and nursing’s theoretical foundations, the PhD in Nursing provides an amazing opportunity to contribute to an ever-growing body of knowledge.
- Nurse Educator/Nurse Administrator – Available to many nurses with their BSN or graduate degree, nurse education and administration roles allow experienced nurses to guide and support fellow clinical professionals.
The Traditional BSN to MSN Pathway
There are plenty of ways to advance academically while expanding clinical, leadership, or research skills. Often, this begins with becoming an RN. From there, an important decision awaits: determining whether to pursue BSN nursing or enroll in an expedited RN to MSN program. The BSN approach is more conventional, but some RNs are beginning to rethink this tried-and-tested approach.
The RN to MSN Bridge Pathway
There is nothing wrong with getting a BSN before enrolling in a separate MSN program. That said, this path is not always necessary, nor is it always ideal. After all, some ambitious students recognize from the get-go that they want to work as APRNs or in other high-level nursing roles.
In this situation, the ‘typical’ BSN pathway can feel a bit disjointed, and, in some cases, MSN nursing students may find themselves rehashing courses or concepts they have already encountered through their previously completed BSN programs. But, a cohesive academic trajectory is still possible, moving directly from undergraduate-level coursework to graduate nursing opportunities.
6 Key Differences Between RN to MSN and BSN to MSN
RN to MSN and BSN to MSN programs have a lot in common: with both, the goal is to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and to expand career opportunities. How this is achieved can vary based on several factors. We’ve highlighted a few of the most noteworthy differences between these programs below:
1. Educational Background Required
In some situations, the decision between the RN to MSN and the BSN to MSN is not a matter of choice, it may be determined based on the RN’s level of education. As its name implies, the BSN to MSN pathway calls for a bachelor’s degree. With an RN to MSN program, however, it is possible to enroll after securing an ADN degree. With both programs, licensure as an RN is essential.
2. Program Length
Ambitious nurses looking to advance in their careers as quickly as possible may seek accelerated programs that allow them to secure requisite degrees in a few short years. Others may seek more balance or prefer to gain more experience before proceeding with graduate-level coursework. Either approach is valid, but these priorities may be differently served by RN to MSN or BSN to MSN programs.
The path to becoming an MSN nurse will be far shorter if a BSN has already been secured. At this point, students only need to focus on graduate-level classes. BSN nurses entering MSN programs commit to around 36 credit hours, which can take up to two years to complete.
The RN to MSN program at Baker College spans 51 credit hours and approximately three years of study. With a streamlined path between RN and MSN nursing, the overall time of enrollment may be reduced — at least compared to securing a BSN degree and then an MSN.
3. Curriculum Focus
By the time nursing students move into graduate-level coursework, they can expect to specialize in areas of personal interest or professional relevance. At the outset of the RN to MSN program, coursework is more general, allowing RNs to build a stronger foundation in evidence-based practice. At Baker College, both RN to MSN and BSN to MSN students can pursue specialty tracks such as Nursing Education or Nursing Administration.
4. Career Advancement Opportunities
Both the RN to MSN and the BSN to MSN provide powerful opportunities for nurses to advance in their careers. How and when this is achieved will vary from one program to the next. Upon completing the RN to MSN program, nurses can promptly seek jobs as nurse educators, nurse administrators, or APRNs. Those who obtain their BSN may continue as RNs, although specialty positions at the RN level are more accessible to BSN-trained nurses than they are for ADN-trained professionals.
5. Cost and Time Commitment
As we’ve mentioned, the duration of the RN to MSN degree is technically longer than the BSN to MSN, although the former approach still represents an expedited pathway through the various levels of nursing. Either way, program duration will play into the cost of tuition. With more credit hours come higher tuition bills, but there is a caveat. RN to MSN students may advance more quickly into higher-paying management or specialty roles.
6. Flexibility and Accessibility
Learning formats matter greatly to busy nursing students, who often juggle rigorous coursework with equally demanding jobs. It is easy to see, then, why so many nursing students are eager to complete their degrees online. Thankfully, both types of MSN programs are available in fully online formats.
The Impact of Your Choice on Your Nursing Career
There is no one ‘right’ choice for ambitious nurses, and the decision to seek additional training should always be commended. Still, this decision can play heavily into nursing career outcomes, determining how long you spend working in certain specialties or levels of nursing.
If you choose to obtain your BSN before moving on to your MSN, you may spend more time as an RN. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; some RNs like to take their time to determine where their passion lies and which patient populations or health concerns they want to focus on. Nevertheless, if you have big plans and aren’t willing to wait, the RN to MSN is your best bet.
Other Practical Considerations When Choosing Your Nursing Career Path
Your nursing bridge program and your long-term career plans will be closely linked, so it is important to view this decision from every angle. Additional considerations worth taking into account include:
- Current educational status – Your next step in nursing may depend on what you’ve accomplished thus far. For example, if you already have your BSN, the natural progression would be an MSN nursing program. If you have your ADN and are currently working as an RN, you have more flexibility to either enter an RN to MSN program or to earn your BSN separately.
- Financial considerations – Numerous financial concerns can play into your decision, including not only the cost of tuition, but also when and how your degree is covered. Some nurses prefer to spread the cost of tuition over time, perhaps by completing a BSN and working a few additional years before resuming college at the graduate level. Scholarship and financial aid opportunities should also be examined.
- Specializations or passion projects – The BSN route may be more appealing to RNs who know they want to advance their careers but have yet to develop concrete plans. This makes it easier to test the waters as an RN in a specialty area, such as palliative care or oncology. The RN to MSN may call for quicker decision-making, as it’s often sought as an expedited path to specific nursing roles.
Start Your Nursing Education at Baker College
No matter where you find yourself in your professional trajectory, you can look to Baker College to help you advance in your career. As a nurse, this might mean seeking your BSN or your MSN.Each Baker College nursing program provides the support and guidance you need as you seek compelling opportunities. Reach out today to learn more about our BSN and MSN nursing degrees, or apply once you’ve made your decision!