What are the differences between a BSN vs. MSN? A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an undergraduate degree for students who want to become nurses. A Master of Science in Nursing is a graduate degree for working, licensed nurses who want to take the next step in their career.
The nursing world is full of acronyms and lingo. As you embark on your nursing school journey, it might feel like you’re learning a new language. For example, the difference between a BSN vs. MSN is that the former is an undergraduate nursing degree, while the latter is a graduate nursing degree.
Those interested in making the switch to the nursing field can get their start at Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU). Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program enables you to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in as few as 15 months. Later, when you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, you might consider earning one of our Master of Science in Nursing degrees.
Before applying to any nursing degree program, it’s important to understand the major differences between a master’s in nursing vs. bachelor’s in nursing, including the differences in curriculum and duration. You should also consider the expected career outcomes for each degree program.
What’s the Difference Between a BSN and MSN?
There are many differences between a bachelor’s vs. master’s in nursing. While the former prepares non-nurses to enter the nursing field, the latter facilitates career advancement for working nurses and allows them to pursue advanced competencies in their specialty.
Understanding the BSN
All aspiring nurses must earn a nursing degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Because the BSN is designed to allow non-nurses to become nurses, it provides broad, foundational knowledge in nursing.
A traditional four-year BSN program includes general education classes, as well as nursing classes, labs and clinical experiences. Our ABSN program at NDMU eliminates the general education requirements, focusing entirely on nursing education.
What Can RNs Do With a BSN?
With a BSN and an RN license, you could pursue a wide range of nursing jobs in settings as varied as hospitals, plastic surgery practices, dermatology offices, outpatient surgery centers and more. Some of the nursing specialties available include:
- Critical care nursing
- Dialysis nursing
- Emergency room nursing
- Home health nursing
- Labor and delivery
- Medical-surgical nursing
Why Choose an ABSN for Your BSN Degree?
An ABSN isn’t a specific nursing degree but a program type that confers a BSN. Many nursing students prefer NDMU’s ABSN program because it offers a faster timeline to a nursing career. You could graduate in as few as 15 months and take the NCLEX within several months of your graduation date. This makes the ABSN program an ideal choice for people with non-nursing backgrounds.
Like a traditional BSN, an ABSN combines didactic coursework with hands-on labs and clinical experiences. It also lays a foundation for pursuing graduate-level education in nursing later.
Understanding the MSN
A Master of Science in Nursing degree is designed for licensed, working nurses interested in preparing for potential career advancement. In comparing a BSN vs. MSN degree, the BSN is designed for future entry-level nurses, whereas the MSN can pave the way toward leadership positions.
Because MSN students already have foundational knowledge in nursing and clinical experience as working nurses, an MSN degree program has a narrower focus than BSN programs. These programs allow students to dive into their specialty area, such as family nurse practitioner (FNP).
What Can Nurses Do With an MSN?
There are several leadership positions a nurse might apply for after earning an MSN, including nurse manager and nurse administrator. Alternatively, you might become a nurse educator or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP).
Learn how to become a clinical nurse specialist
Bachelor’s vs. Master’s in Nursing: A Closer Look at Degree Differences
Before you apply, it’s worth taking a closer look at the differences between a master’s in nursing vs. bachelor’s in nursing, starting with the admission requirements.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements are another major difference between a BSN vs. MSN. The basic admission requirements are as follows:
- Traditional BSN: Requires a high school diploma or GED
- ABSN: Requires existing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and prerequisites
- MSN: Requires a BSN and clinical work experience
Each school and program will have other requirements, such as a minimum GPA, official transcripts, letters of reference and an admissions essay. In addition, the MSN program requires an unencumbered and active RN license and clinical work experience.
Time Commitment
A traditional BSN requires a four-year commitment for full-time students. In contrast, most ABSN programs can be completed in as few as 16 months. Keep in mind that NDMU’s ABSN can be completed in as few as 15 months.
The time commitment required for an MSN degree varies from one school and program to the next. If you’re enrolled full-time, some programs can be completed within one year. Nurses tend to work full-time while attending school part-time, however. It may take up to three years to complete an MSN degree on a part-time schedule.
At NDMU, our MSN programs are designed specifically to accommodate working nurses who are part-time students. For example, if enrolled in the FNP or AGPCNP tracks, you can complete your degree within 27 months.
Career Outcomes
A BSN-conferring program, such as NDMU’s ABSN, allows new nurses to enter the field and pursue any available nursing specialties. From there, you could choose to elevate your career further by earning professional certifications pertaining to your specialty.
If you would like to become a nurse manager, nurse administrator or APRN, an MSN degree can pave the way. Note that some advanced nursing positions may require a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), as well as an MSN. In addition, APRNs are required to obtain board certification in their specialty, along with state licensure as APRNs.
Tuition
Tuition costs are highly variable, but generally, when comparing a BSN vs. MSN, the MSN will cost less in tuition than the BSN.
At Notre Dame, at the time of publication, our high-quality ABSN program costs $1,063 per credit hour if you choose the hybrid learning approach with online coursework, or $1,009 per credit hour for on-campus students. The program requires 56 credits for completion. Total tuition and program fees are $63,596 for hybrid students or $60,596 for on-campus students.
MSN tuition fees also depend greatly on the school and program you choose. At Notre Dame, at the time of publication, the FNP and AGPCNP tracks are $920 per credit for a total of $43,240 in tuition. The concentrations in Nursing Leadership in Administration and Nursing Leadership in Education are $690 per credit for a total of $24,840 in tuition.
Consider how to pay for nursing school with financial aid.
Curriculum
The curriculum is another major difference between a bachelor’s vs. master’s in nursing. BSN programs assume students have no prior health care experience or nursing education. Because of this, students are introduced to broad nursing knowledge and skills through a curriculum that becomes progressively more advanced from semester to semester. The curriculum covers everything from health assessments to pharmacology.
The curriculum in a master’s degree program has a narrower focus. Since MSN students are already licensed nurses with clinical experience, the curriculum covers advanced topics in a particular nursing specialty, rather than foundational knowledge in nursing.
Earn Your BSN at Notre Dame of Maryland University
NDMU’s ABSN program offers a fast-paced entry into nursing for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or previous college credits. In as few as 15 months, you could earn a BSN and be ready to take the NCLEX. You’ll be fully supported along the way, with attentive instructors in small classes, Academic Success Coaches and tutoring services. Plus, you can choose between online and on-campus coursework.
Contact an admissions advisor today to find out if our ABSN program is right for you. Working nurses who are interested in career advancement are invited to explore our MSN degree programs.