MSN Nursing Program (RN)

00:01 And then we have the entry level Masters in Nursing programs or Direct Entry Masters in Nursing programs.

00:07 These are newer programs on the scene, but they are like really, really rising in popularity. These nursing programs are primarily for individuals with a completed non- nursing bachelor's degree.

00:18 Who would like to pursue becoming a registered nurse but would like to be able to obtain a masters degree instead of just tacking on another bachelor's.

00:27 These courses and programs are typically like 18 months to three years, depending on if they are full or part-time.

00:34 And upon graduating, you will be able to sit for your NCLEX-RN.

00:38 In most programs you will also be able to choose a small specialty, which is usually something like leadership or organization.

00:46 And if your program offers them, your specialty will be determined by the courses that you take in addition to your nursing classes.

00:54 In contrast, some programs just offer a generic Master's entry level nursing courses, while others, they will allow you to have a focus, you just don't really get to pick it.

01:04 This is going to become something that you will want to look into.

01:07 If you think you may want to go back for a post Master's certificate or a degree in the future.

01:14 Because not all classes that you're taking in these MSN Programs will transfer to your next MSN or DNP program of choice. So if you have any inkling that you may want to go back and dive into these other programs, make sure that the credits you are taking here will transfer to your next program.

01:33 That way, you are getting the most bang for your buck in terms of the courses that you are taking right now.

01:38 Another great benefit of these programs is that it's easier to get a federal loan to help you pay for the degree.

01:44 Typically, you can't get a federal loan for a second bachelor's degree, like we talked about in the previous section.

01:51 But you can get a federal loan for a master's degree and this opens the door for way more financial loan repayment options and lower interest rates.

02:00 Having your master's degree can also help open some doors within institutions.

02:05 For example, your hospital may require you to have a master's degree if you want to go into any kind of supervisor role.

02:12 And if this is something that you are remotely interested in later in your career, having the degree, just the letters honestly, will likely help open doors in your institution and allow you to take those positions in management.

02:25 But I'm sure you saw this coming.

02:27 There are some cons to these situations.

02:30 Many healthcare systems don't actually have any idea what to do with the MSN component of your degree. In practice, a registered nurse is a registered nurse and the role you play is the exact same as the RN next to you with the ADN or the BSN. You will also likely be paid pretty much the exact same amount, if not like just a tiny bit more.

02:51 But what's not the same is how much you paid for your program.

02:54 Your courses cost quite a bit more than the bachelor's nursing programs or an ADN nursing program.

03:00 So there is a lot of sunk cost kind of up front.

03:04 Overall, this is a really, really good option if you are looking to become a nurse as a second career or a second degree option.

03:11 But you want a federal loan to help finance your program, or if you are likely going to be pursuing a master's degree or a post master's degree or a doctorate in the near future and you kind of want to double-dip with some of your course credits.

03:24 And those, my friends, are the most popular ways that you can become a registered nurse in the United States today.

03:31 I do want to touch really quickly on an option that is becoming Less and less popular.

03:36 However, it is still prevalent in a few states, so I thought it would be worth a mention. Let's take a quick minute to talk about diploma programs.