Nursing is a growing field, and it’s important to understand the different degrees that are available. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is typically considered a generalist degree, while an MSN focuses on more advanced nursing skills. Both degrees are excellent choices depending on your personal goals and needs!
MSN programs may take longer to complete than BSN programs, but they offer more opportunities for career advancement and are more specialized. The extra specialization will help graduates advance their careers quickly and affordably.
A typical Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program takes between 2 – 3 years.
A typical Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program takes between 2 – 3 years. However, it is possible to complete an MSN degree in as little as 18 months if you “juggle your schedule” and take courses on a part-time basis.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes between 2 – 4 years to complete depending on whether you choose the traditional classroom setting or online format.
An MSN degree is required of all registered nurses who wish to advance their career beyond Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) status and work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Our BSN program is designed around you, allowing you to work as an RN while earning your degree.
Our BSN program is designed around you, allowing you to work as an RN while earning your degree. Unlike the traditional MSN program, our students aren’t required to take any courses that can be taken later by taking advantage of our flexible online format.
In addition to working full time and earning a degree, it’s possible to earn a BSN in less time than an MSN! Many of our students complete the program in just two years when they have already earned their Associate Degree or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) prior to enrolling at Ashford University.
While a BSN might be sufficient for a career as a general nurse, most nurses who want to advance their career will pursue an MSN.
While a BSN might be sufficient for a career as a general nurse, most nurses who want to advance their career will pursue an MSN. There are several reasons why this is the case. A BSN will leave you with lots of room to grow and expand your knowledge, but it’s not as in-depth or specialized as an MSN, so once you have completed your bachelor’s degree program and have begun working as a nurse, many employers may not recognize that you have the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to perform at an advanced level. In addition, completing all of the required courses for an MSN can take anywhere from two to six years depending on how quickly you work at it; if you choose this path instead of earning another bachelor’s degree after graduating from high school (or even sooner), then you could potentially spend more time in school overall than someone who had started working full time straight out of high school without obtaining any type of higher education first..
An RN-to-BSN program can have you on the path to more lucrative roles in less time than a traditional MSN.
- It’s a shorter program.
- It’s more affordable.
- You can work as an RN while earning your degree.
Learn more about career opportunities for graduates of our online nursing programs.
Career opportunities for graduates of our online nursing programs include:
- Nurse Midwife
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A Master’s of Science in Nursing is typically more advanced and offers more specialization options than a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
A Master’s of Science in Nursing is typically more advanced and offers more specialization options than a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. For example, some schools may require the completion of an MSN program before they will consider admitting you to their doctorate program. An MSN degree can also be beneficial if you want to practice as a nurse practitioner or clinical specialist.
In general, an MSN program takes 2-3 years to complete (compared to 4 years for a BSN). The first year is spent completing foundational courses that focus on the scientific principles behind nursing care. In your second year, you will have the opportunity to choose elective courses that align with your career interests or professional goals. These electives may include courses like emergency management protocols within healthcare settings, leadership skills development classes devoted entirely towards mentoring junior staff members working within various medical environments such as intensive care units or operating rooms., etc., etc..
Our online MSN programs allow you to earn your degree without quitting your job or putting your life on hold.
Not only are many schools offering online programs, but they’re also doing so at a pace that is quick and efficient. Some schools offer programs designed to be completed in 18 months or less, making it possible for you to graduate without having to quit your job or put your life on hold.
Some online MSN programs even allow students to take classes from home, so they can continue working full-time jobs while earning their degree. This is especially helpful for those who don’t have the luxury of quitting their job and moving across the country for an education program—even though this option is available at many colleges today!
Additionally, these programs often offer the same resources and services as campus-based students receive: access to campus libraries with extensive collections (including books and journals), tutoring assistance if needed, career counseling services (in addition to assistance in finding internships), etcetera.
Our online MSN programs are designed for working nurses looking to advance their careers and improve patient care
If you are a working nurse looking to advance your career and improve patient care, the MSN program may be the right choice for you.
Our online MSN programs offer more specialization options than BSN programs. Our online MSN programs support nurses who want to maintain their current employment while earning a degree through distance learning.
Should you get an MSN or BSN degree?
If you’re a nurse who wants to advance in your career, the BSN is a good choice for you. The BSN allows nurses to move up in their position and earn more money. Additionally, some employers require that their RNs have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Nurses should consider getting an MSN if they want to specialize or work in academia or research instead of clinical practice—in other words, if they don’t plan on working at a hospital setting and instead hope to teach nursing students or conduct research.
Both degrees are great choices depending on your personal goals and needs.
Both the BSN and MSN programs are great choices depending on your personal goals and needs. The benefits of each degree vary, so it’s important to think about your career aspirations when deciding which one is right for you.
- If you want to begin working in the field immediately after graduation:
The BSN is a shorter program that can be completed in 2 years full time or 4 years part time. The curriculum typically requires more clinical hours than in an MSN program. This means that students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience from day one!
For example, nursing students at Stony Brook University participate in a required summer course called Health Assessment Lab which focuses on basic lab tests used by nurses during patient exams (such as taking blood pressure or temperature). Students learn how these tests work while also practicing them on each other under supervision of experienced instructors who provide feedback throughout the course.*
Basic BSN
BSN is a general nursing degree that provides you with the foundational knowledge needed to pursue a career in nursing. BSN programs are usually two years long and provide a broad overview of the field of nursing, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, ethics and research methods. Upon completion of your program you will be eligible for licensure as an RN (Registered Nurse).
- Why should I earn my bachelor’s degree in nursing?
Earnings: The average salary for an RN with an associate’s degree is $51,000; however those with bachelor’s degrees earn on average $68,000 per year!
Job opportunities: With more than 1 million jobs available nationwide there is no shortage of employment options for RNs!
Advanced BSN
As you can see, there are many different ways to further your career in nursing. The options available to you depend on what level of education you have already achieved and where you want your career to go. Regardless of which direction you take, the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do—and by studying at an accredited nursing program like those offered at Concordia University Irvine, we can help make this happen!
MSN Program
The MSN program is more advanced and specialized than the BSN. It generally takes two years to complete, while a traditional BSN program can be completed in less than one year. The MSN degree is also more expensive—tuition costs can range from $17,000 to over $50,000 per year. The time commitment required by an MSN degree can be inconvenient for some individuals who already have full-time jobs or family obligations.
MSNs receive training in the latest research practices and trends in nursing education, including emerging technologies such as simulation and evidence-based practice (EBPs). As such, they are better equipped to work with current hospital systems than their non-MSN counterparts are able to do so as well as effectively communicate with patients about their treatment plans using technology such as secure messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger between patient care teams at hospitals/clinics where both doctors AND nurses need access to valuable clinical information through secure means so everyone knows exactly what’s happening without having personal conversations about patients behind closed doors without record keeping if possible which might put patient’s health at risk?