You are likely passionate about nursing and want to help people. You must choose between a BSN and MSN-FNP when you decide to go back to school to advance your career. Let’s define each to help you decide which is best for you.
The RN to BSN degree
BSN is a degree that many RNs want to obtain. BSN stands for Bachelor of Science Nursing. This is a prerequisite for professional nursing practice.
In the future, it’s likely that more hospitals will hire nurses with a BSN degree or higher. Many RNs continue to study while working full-time in order to remain competitive.
The RN to BSN program is a great way to enhance your clinical reasoning and analytical reasoning skills. The program builds on your original degree, enhancing your knowledge of healthcare and pointing out the social, political, cultural, and ethical issues that affect your ability to provide quality patient care.
This program can take up to two years, depending on your level of experience and the school you attend. These programs can be completed online or in part.
From BSN to MSN degree
Online programs for the BSN-MSN degree (Master of Science of Nursing) are also available, in part or fully. Curriculum focuses on specific nursing areas such as management, administration, research, and teaching. The MSN program usually lasts two years, just like the BSN.
The MSN is a popular degree because it allows you to work in many different healthcare settings. This specialized degree allows you to become a registered nurse and an educator.
This variety in job functions will keep your job interesting and prevent you from feeling trapped working only in one area of healthcare. The master’s program will also put you on the road to APRN (Advanced Practice RN Nurse) specialization.
From BSN to MSN-FNP degree
You may decide to pursue an MSN-FNP degree after completing your BSN. This is a specialized MSN. You can expect to spend about two years in higher education for the additional credential.
A BSN to MSN online program from Marymount University with a Family Nurse practitioner (FNP), allows you to work or take care of other responsibilities, while attending school. Attending a good university allows you to continue your education while working.
Marymount University will provide you with a placement coordinator who will begin the process. This coordinator will work with you to locate quality placement sites that fit your schedule and find the rotation hours.
You can also work with other family members as an FNP. You will develop analytical thinking skills, learn about preventative health care, and how to diagnose specific medical conditions.
You can work in many different settings with this degree, such as private medical practices and urgent care centers, on-site health clinics, or in research departments of healthcare facilities.
What is your dream career?
You can have a BSN and a rewarding career. However, you may want to explore other options and move forward in your career. Consider a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) if you are interested.
You will focus on family care as a BSN-MSN-FNP graduate. You can choose to work in a clinical setting or an indirect care area. You can, for example, work in a primary-care practice that provides care to families and individuals using the evidence-based methods you learned at school.
It’s empowering to be able to treat members of your family regardless of their age. It is a huge responsibility to provide primary care for children, seniors and women. But it feels great to be able make a difference in someone’s health.
A rewarding career is delivering nursing care to promote health and reduce the risk of illness. The MSN-FNP can help you to provide more comprehensive care than you could as an RN/BSN.
You may also want to pursue a career in research. The MSN-FNP will give you the knowledge and skills to improve healthcare locally or globally.
Combine your nursing knowledge with the principles of practice to improve patient care. This career path also requires you to understand the latest technologies in healthcare and how they can be delivered.
You can now see, as you read this article, that a Master’s of Science in Nursing program looks at nursing from a broader perspective. A traditional MSN or an MSN with FNP focuses more on a particular field of nursing. MSN programs offer greater opportunities for growth than BSNs, even as you attend school. For example, you might be moved to another department to begin using the new skills and knowledge you have gained in recent classes.
More on What to Expect from a FNP
As previously explained, family nurse practitioners provide primary health care to individuals of all ages. This career has a wide range of responsibilities, from performing physical examinations to ordering tests to find the correct diagnosis to diagnosing and treating illnesses. FNPs can enjoy a rewarding career because each activity has a positive impact on someone else’s life.
A MSN-FNP can prescribe medicine as well, which makes this position as close as possible to that of a physician. The Family Nurse Practitioner’s other important role is to inform patients about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, empowering them with knowledge and enabling positive change.
You will also be able to establish a strong emotional connection with patients and their families. You may have lengthy discussions about the health conditions and treatment plans of patients with serious illnesses. You can also teach them how to best support their loved one based on the knowledge you gained at university.
Comparison of the financial expectations between BSN and MSN
A good income will help you and your family live a more comfortable life, even if you don’t go into nursing for financial reasons. Savings allow you to enjoy vacations and put money aside for your children’s education, retirement and other important goals.
The following information will give you a better idea of what your future earnings can be after you graduate and return to school. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and become a registered nurse you can expect an average annual income of $73,300.
A Family Nurse Practitioner with an MSN will see a significant increase in their annual income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage of a Nurse Practitioner in the US is $115.800. This number may vary slightly from state to state, but it represents the average.
A boost of about $40,000 per annum is significant. You can enjoy a better lifestyle than you would if you had stopped your education after a lower level of nursing. The fact that you could earn this income for many years in your career is a great incentive to go back to school. Schooling is an investment for your future. You can pay off any debts you accumulate during these years when you earn $55.67 per hour on average as opposed to the $35.24 that a nurse makes.
BSN or MSN-FNP?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Registered Nurse occupation is expected to grow at a rapid pace. BLS predicts that the field in which a BSN grad would work will grow 12 percent by 2028. This rate of growth is much faster than the average growth of other industries, which is 5%.
How does this compare with the outlook of an MSN/FNP graduate? These MSN-FNP graduates can expect to be employed in a field that has a projected growth rate even higher than BSN graduates. The BLS projects a 26% increase for Nurse Practitioners by 2028 compared to a 12% rise in Registered Nurses. This is more than twice as much.
It is therefore clear that a BSN-to-MSN graduate will be in demand in all states of the US. You can make a decision to return to school if you know that your future job is secure.
You don’t have to worry about finding a job that is related to your studies. There are so many opportunities, and they are increasing in number. You will also get clinical placements throughout your program and, in some cases, the employer may keep you on even after you graduate.
Find the right Graduate Program
You must then look at the requirements for admission. You can then ensure you are accepted into your desired program.
Marymount University Online, for example, requires a BSN and a Grade Point Average of 3.0. They also require a valid RN license. The clinical practicum course cannot be started until you have completed two years of experience.
In addition to the educational requirements, you will be required to submit a professional essay and video introduction as well as two letters of recommendation. These materials will help you to show your commitment to entering and completing the program, as well as that you are a future leader within the nursing field. These materials are just as important as your academic standing which is demonstrated by a high grade point average.
Consider the reputation of the university when choosing the best one for you. Make sure, for example, that the MSN/FNP program has CCNE accreditation. This standard, which is set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), helps to improve public health. It’s important to look for it to ensure you are attending an accredited nursing program. Marymount University is accredited and offers its curriculum online. This could be very important for you.
Online nursing programs are the best option if you want to continue your education but do not wish to give up your job. You can combine work, school and family obligations. Online education offers two major advantages: the ability to continue earning income while studying and the flexibility to complete coursework at times that suit you.
Final Words about the Best Nursing Program For You
This guide explains the differences between the MSN-FNP and BSN programs, as well what to expect on the job market once you graduate. It is important to find a school which is right for you. Online schools are the best choice for many students.
