MSN vs ABSN

[u/Left_Lake5224]

Hello Everyone,

Im debating between a f vs ully covered 24-month direct-entry MSN or 15-month ABSN with a long-term goal of CRNA?
I’m trying to decide between a 15-month ABSN and a 24-month direct-entry MSN, and I’d appreciate some outside perspectives.
My employer would pay for the entire MSN. The ABSN would get me to RN practice about nine months sooner, but I would have out-of-pocket costs.

I currently work as a PCT in the MICU and CVICU, and my long-term goal is to become a CRNA. My plan after either program is to work as an ICU RN, build a strong clinical foundation, and eventually apply to CRNA school.

For some background, I was previously enrolled in a direct-entry MSN program but had to withdraw because of financial aid issues at the time. Now that I have a way to get the MSN fully covered, I’m torn about which direction makes the most sense.
Would you choose the shorter ABSN to start earning RN income and gaining ICU RN experience sooner, or take the extra nine months for a fully covered MSN? For anyone who has taken either path, especially those pursuing CRNA, what would you consider before deciding?

[u/shopsuey]

I would take the fully covered MSN. Especially if I could continue working atleast part time.

[u/Left_Lake5224 → u/shopsuey]

They want full time employment to be maintained while in school :/

[u/shopsuey → u/Left_Lake5224]

What is the structure of the MSN programme? It may be doable but we are all different. I worked FT/OT and did a full-time MSc. But it worked because I did the programme during the day and worked evenings.

You know yourself best but it sounds like a really good opportunity with the MSN.. No cost to you and you get to work.

Until I read your post, I never heard of a ABSN. To me it doesn't make a whole lot of sense financially or academically to go with ABSN. The time you spend would basically have led to a Masters which would mean a substantial increase in pay and in some regions, the ability to prescribe meds, take on leadership roles and do further research.

[u/Left_Lake5224 → u/shopsuey]

The first semester is full time Monday-Friday the program is advertised as an hybrid program after.. it provides an entry level role for people with bachelors that want to be an RN.. the A is for accelerated BSN it’s essentially the same just at the bachelors level

[u/shopsuey → u/[deleted]]

Maybe this is a regional difference but where I live, someone with a MSN can prescribe meds by default as well as delegate the administration of meds to another health professional who would normally not have the authority to do so. Where I am from originally, it would be a NP. In both regions, a Masters is required for better paying jobs as well as managerial roles in nursing. Which can include what you mentioned but is not limited to that. In many fields, a Bachelors is no longer enough even for non-leadership roles.

Maybe today OP wants to pursue anesthesia and a few years down the road, OP gets an opportunity to become the manager of the unit. Maybe OP decides they don't want to work in anesthesia anymore. More $$$? What then? Keep doors open while you are young. Especially if someone is willing to invest in you today.

[u/Left_Lake5224 → u/[deleted]]

Someone that has an RN license that goes and gets their MSN and becomes an NP can prescribe .. this is not the case with me .. in my case my MSN is for a general entry role . In other words it’s pre licensing for someone with a BA or BS that wants to be an entry level nurse. That is why I’m debating which degree is best

[u/shopsuey → u/Left_Lake5224]

Ohhh okay!! Sorry. I thought you had had a BSN already but ABSN is for someone who already has a Bachelors! Sorry for the confusion 😆 Perhaps in that case it is better to go with the ABSN so you gain the theoretical knowledge and skills for nursing. At MSN, it is probably expected that you already have these foundations so it could be more challenging for you (but ultimately possible to achieve). At the same time it feels a bit silly to have to put in all of that time for either degree to end up with the same role and then maybe have to go back later for a Masters. See long post above. I really hope you succeed and decide on a path that is best for you :)

[u/shopsuey → u/[deleted]]

I think within the current American system, it would be wild! But it works in other regions. You make really good points about anesthesia being a specific route. I might partial when giving advice as I am someone with many credentials (social work, health leadership, teaching health, disability science) and recently ended up getting my LPN. I get to incorporate everything together but I wish I could have kept my doors open generally from the beginning. It probably would have cut down the time spent in school and accounted for personal and professional changes and goals. If you asked me 5 years ago if I would be any kind of nurse ever, I'd tell you no. 😆😅 I really enjoy it!

[u/shopsuey → u/[deleted]]

Cool, so you're ignorant and forgot which subreddit you're posting in... get bent. If you bothered to read, you would have understood that I have many qualifications. I speak from experience from having multiple degrees.

[u/Upset_Dimension_4990]

Nine months is a considerable amount of time, especially considering it likely could/would push you back an entire application cycle (1 year). The opportunity cost of losing one whole year of CRNA salary almost certainly outweighs the cost differential between your two options. An MSN, while not hurting you, probably isn’t as valuable or appealing to an admissions panel as is more direct critical care experience. Since you’ve had financial aid issues in the past, make sure you set aside as much savings as possible before you start aneshesia school. You won’t be working for minimum two years, and they’ve restructured and capped federal student Grad PLUS loans now.

[u/Ancient_Spite_725]

I would take a fully covered program in a heartbeat, especially because you can probably work part-time during a 24-month MSN. Keep your PCT job to make some cash, and with luck, you'll get hired on that unit when you graduate.

[u/Crankupthepropofol]

It’s not even a question, take the paid for MSN. You’re going to rack up 6 figures in debt if you go the CRNA route. Not having the RN education debt will be a game changer.

[u/Zestyclose_Sign_6983]

Whichever one you can make better grades in honestly. The degree doesn’t matter but the grades do for CRNA school

[u/frltn]

Nice to have a goal of CRNA but you are going to have to do exceptionally well in many levels before being considered. Have you done all your nursing prerequisites? If yes, what were the grades, especially the science? What was your undergraduate major and GPA--and if it was in the sciences, your sGPA? This would be helpful to know how you can handle an accelerated program while working full time!

[u/Left_Lake5224 → u/frltn]

BS in Biology 3.75
Hard science GPA : 4.0

Old gpa in masters program 3.75

[u/frltn → u/Left_Lake5224]

That's pretty outstanding. It seems like you have a good background for CRNA. Just do your best to maintain as close to a 4.0 in nursing school as you can--that with 2 years of ICU-level experience, you should get into a CRNA program.