BSN vs. MSN Degrees: What Is The Difference & Which Is the Next Step in Your Nursing Career?

Success in the health care industry means committing to continuous learning and improving your skills and education. A nursing career is full of stepping stones, and the key is to find out which steps are better choices for your career.

That is why both beginner and experienced nurses look for ways to advance their careers and find the degree that will lead to the jobs they want. For many, this means a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Others might think that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the best option. The decision is personal and depends on your circumstances, so you'll need to consider several factors. Continue reading to find out which degree path might be the right route depending on your background and circumstances.

What Is a BSN and an MSN?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or a BSN, can be a gateway to becoming a professional Registered Nurse. The BSN program prepares you for entry-level practice in hospitals, clinics, and other health care settings. This means you don't need prior experience, but some exposure to the field will help. And although you could work as an RN even without a BSN degree, taking that extra step in education can earn you more responsibility and an increased salary. 

On the other hand, a Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, is an advanced, post-graduate degree that provides the skills and training for a specialized role such as nurse practitioner or nursing administration. The MSN qualification empowers you to provide many of the services that are at a higher level than an ADN or BSN level, so the expertise you acquire is more in-depth than with other nursing degrees. MSN programs also require a BSN to apply. That said, it is important to consider which education level best fits you and your career path. 

Why Would You Need a BSN or an MSN?

Both BSN and MSN degrees are a huge step up in anyone's nursing career, and having at least one of the two can help you quickly find a high-paying nursing job. Each degree comes with a significant salary increase. For example, a BSN nurse earns significantly more than an RN without a bachelor's degree.

Also, although you can work in this field as a registered nurse with an associate's degree or as a licensed practical nurse, earning at least a BSN is quickly becoming the norm for entry-level nurse positions. 

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), over 51% of all entry-level registered nurses enter the field with a bachelor's degree or higher. Additionally, 71.7% of all registered nurses have a BSN or higher, including an MSN.

This means the need for an advanced degree is growing, making it less a question of whether you should get a degree and more about which degree makes the most sense for you. In other words, it is not the case of opting between the two degrees and lower forms of accreditation, but rather a BSN vs. MSN debate.

What Are the Differences Between a BSN and an MSN?

The difference between a BSN and an MSN degree is essentially the same as the difference between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in any other field. However, the type of degree you have will have a huge impact on the type of job for which you will be eligible.

While a BSN program gives you a broad knowledge base and prepares you to work in diverse nursing fields, an MSN program offers a more specialized perspective. The MSN focuses more on a specific nursing field and builds skills such as leadership, administration, and teaching.

In short, the main factors you need to consider when choosing the right program for you are:

• Job prospects: A clear advantage of an MSN is that it can open up more job opportunities than a BSN.
• Time: Usually, getting an MSN degree means a few additional years of study. This issue may be avoided by choosing an accelerated MSN program, but a fast-paced program could be harder to follow, especially if you plan to balance school with work. 
• Financial resources: Additional years of study mean, of course, more tuition fees. 
• Type of nursing jobs you desire: It comes down to what type of job you enjoy most. An MSN degree provides that advanced knowledge and skills, but it may not be required for the job you deem your dream career. Consider your career path and the nursing jobs you want, then look into the educational paths that will help you achieve your goals. 

BSN vs. MSN: Which Degree Is Better?

An extremely competitive market may tilt the balance toward an MSN, but if not all the above factors align, waiting for the right moment might be your best option.

You can always go back and complete your MSN degree. There are several accelerated programs that allow you to work your way up from a BSN, so it ultimately comes down to which situation you find yourself in. However, if you don't currently have a BSN, that is the degree you should pursue to build career and financial stability. 

To find out whether a BSN or an MSN program is the best choice for your career, here are a few scenarios to which you might relate and the preferred course of action for each of them.

1. You Have No Prior Nursing Experience

Being at the beginning of your nursing career gives you a lot of options as to how to move forward, but it can also be extremely confusing.

A simpler course of action is to take things step by step and earn your BSN first, then work toward your MSN if you still want to.

As a new nurse, you will need to learn and absorb a lot of information while gaining as much practice as possible during your studies. Approaching your studies gradually and devoting more time to each course can help you better understand the demands of the industry without feeling overwhelmed. To accomplish your goals successfully, don't put too much pressure on yourself all at once.

Another plus is that transitioning from BSN to MSN is easier than it used to be. If a few years ago it would take three to four years of study, you can now earn your MSN in as little as one and a half or two years.  

Enroll in Nightingale College's BSN Program

The downside is that it may take some extra time and financial resources to follow this trajectory instead of a direct-entry MSN program. If you're absolutely sure your end goal will be an MSN degree, finding that perfect RN to MSN program might be worth those long, hard hours of studying. But don't neglect to study the market's demands in your area beforehand, as an MSN-educated nurse with little experience might not be marketable in the area where you live.

As a young practitioner with little or no prior experience and an MSN degree, you may find it hard to get hired. This is because the lack of experience may make your desired employer distrust your skills and capabilities. Since the MSN degree is designed for nurses in management and leadership roles, having a few years of experience under your belt will definitely benefit you when it comes to learning the ins and outs of your profession. In these cases, earning a BSN first can quickly jump-start your career while still giving you time to study and gain practical experience.

2. Working as an RN Without a Degree

If you're already working as a registered nurse, you can either opt for a BSN or an MSN program, depending on which direction you wish to take your career. Previous nursing experience will help you apply to bridge programs that fit your schedule and help you earn your degree faster.

For example, you can complete an RN-to-BSN program in as little as 8 months. Alternatively, many bridge programs can help you earn your MSN much faster, depending on your experience and degrees.

3. You're Already a BSN-Prepared Nurse

You've already put in the work and earned your BSN degree. This opens many doors for jobs and opportunities. The next logical step is to work toward your MSN degree. However, this might not be the right choice for everyone.

Before deciding if an MSN degree is what you need, you need to consider the following:

• What type of job do you prefer? Nurses with a BSN degree take a more hands-on approach with patients, while nurses with an MSN degree are better prepared for leadership, administration, and education roles.
• What are the job prospects where I work? Some states are desperately looking to fill positions that require an MSN degree, while others need BSN-prepared nurses. You might invest time and resources in your MSN degree and find yourself with no job prospects. Job security is key, so knowing you are always in demand is a huge comfort.

If you decide that you feel more fulfilled as a BSN nurse, you enjoy the bedside care part of your job, and this position is in high demand in the area where you live, then spending the time, energy, and money needed to get your MSN degree would not be in your best interest.

On the other hand, if you feel an MSN degree would help you get the job you want and a bigger paycheck, then all the hard work will be worth it. Besides, an MSN program will likely pay for itself over time because of the salary increase.

4. You Already Have a Full-Time Job in Another Field

Having a full-time job in a different field will give you some constraints when it comes to studying.

If you're working in a separate field and wish to become a nurse, there are quite a few things to consider. Not only are the time constraints pressing, but you will also have a longer, tougher road ahead if you want to catch up. 

There are programs that allow you to apply even if you have a bachelor's degree in a different field than nursing. However, a direct-entry MSN program will provide you with a huge amount of information, which can be quite challenging to absorb without any prior training. In this case, a second-degree nursing program might be easier to follow, and it lets learners earn a BSN in less than a year and a half. After that, you can continue your studies and earn your MSN degree.

Enroll in Nightingale College's BSN Program.

BSN vs. MSN Nursing Skills and Abilities

While the BSN degree qualifies you to work as a registered nurse in a variety of health care facilities, the MSN degree gives you the chance to work as an educator or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The main difference is that a BSN RN focuses more on hands-on patient care, while an MSN RN covers leadership, administration, and educational roles, and can still work in bedside patient care.

That is why the skills that you gain during these programs are quite different.

What Skills Will I Develop During a BSN Program?

A registered nurse with a BSN degree must know the ins and outs of patient care. During the program, you will learn subjects such as emergency care, public health, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology.

The program will develop skills such as:

• Communication with patients
• Cognitive skills: memory improvement, problem-solving, professional judgment, mathematical solutions
• Interpersonal relationships: developing relationships and rapport with individuals and groups.
• Behavioral skills: engaging with self and others to create a safe environment and respond appropriately in stressful or conflict situations.
• Physical competencies: the physical ability to provide client care and participate in educational activities
• Environment adaptability: being able to function under unpleasant environmental factors such as noise and distractions, noxious smells, chemicals, and disease agents or unpredictable behavior of others.

You can find out more about the opportunities the BSN program offers in this complete BSN guide.

What Abilities Will I Develop During an MSN Program?

The MSN program prepares you for clinical nurse leadership positions, nursing administration, or clinical nurse education. You may become an advanced practice registered nurse, which involves direct patient care, or move into non-clinical roles such as nurse administrators, teachers, or informaticists. Therefore, the competencies you will gain will enhance the management and educational aspects of nursing.

During the program, apart from advancing the skills earned during your BSN studies, you will also develop core areas such as:

• Organizational leadership
• Program evaluation for improving patient outcomes
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Evidence-based practice
• Quality and safety
• Policy and advocacy
• Informatics

Learn more about nursing skills and abilities.

Standard Nursing Academic Path

Normally, you would need a BSN degree to be able to apply to an MSN program.

That is why the prerequisites for enrolling in a master's program typically include:

• A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
• A registered nurse (RN) license
• Minimum GPA and GRE scores (varies by program)
• Clinical experience (varies by program)

For this reason, before moving on to a master's program, most people first earn their RN license either after completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Fortunately, both BSN and MSN programs can often be completed at least partially, if not fully, online, which means you can also work while you finish your studies.

MSN vs. BSN Educational Program Length

Depending on the option and program you choose, as well as how you meet the background requirements, program lengths may vary.

You may complete the full BSN program in three to four years, while the RN-to-BSN bridge program can take as little as eight months to a year. After you earn your BSN, it typically takes another two years to complete the MSN program.

Accelerated MSN programs typically last around three years: entry-level nursing coursework in the first year, with the remaining two years focused on advanced training and coursework, including preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®).

Learn more about how long nursing school is, depending on the level of accreditation and your educational path.

ABSN vs Direct-Entry MSN

If you've initially chosen a different career path but have recently discovered that you have a passion for nursing, it's never too late to change the course of your life. Some programs are designed specifically for your situation.

These programs require you to earn either a BSN or an MSN without prior qualifications or experience in the nursing field. Depending on your circumstances, you can pursue an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program or a direct-entry MSN, which is essentially a combined BSN and MSN program.

To make the appropriate choice, you must take into account a few factors:

• Time: The ABSN program can take a year and a half, or less, while the direct-entry MSN program normally takes around three years.
• What type of nurse do you wish to be? Find out which degree will help you get the nursing position that is most suited for your personality.
• Can you keep up with a direct-entry MSN? The big disadvantage of enrolling in a master's program with no prior education in that particular field is the amount of new information that you will need to comprehend and assimilate quickly, especially if you have a full-time job at the same time. The effort might be overwhelming.

Although an MSN degree may be tempting, sometimes it's more practical to take the long road rather than get overwhelmed and risk dropping out.

What Jobs Can You Get with a BSN vs an MSN?

While an RN with a BSN can take on more responsibilities than nurses without the degree, available jobs still center on safe, quality patient care.

Here are a few types of jobs available for registered nurses with a BSN:

• Travel Nurse
• Hospice Nurse
• ICU Nurse
• Geriatric Nurse
• Oncology Nurse
• Perioperative Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Charge Nurse
• Surgical Nurse
• Obstetric and Gynecological Nurse

On the other hand, nurses who wish to pursue an MSN degree are usually interested in one of the following advanced practice areas:

• Certified Nurse Anesthetist
• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Manager
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Clinical Nurse Researcher

MSN vs. BSN Salary Comparison

As with any advanced degree, there is an obvious income increase, so it only makes sense that the higher the degree, the higher the salary. Also, MSN degree holders can move into management and education positions, which usually come with a higher paycheck.

However, the difference between BSN- and MSN-educated nurses is not as significant as one might think. Nurses who hold a BSN degree are the top 25% earners in the field, as the BSN Nursing portal points out.

Nurses' salaries usually vary widely based on specialization, location, years of experience, and other factors.

BSN Nurse Salary Estimates

Despite not reaching the wages for nurses with an MSN, the salaries for nurses with a BSN degree are also higher than salaries for regular registered nurses and can sometimes come pretty close to the salaries of an MSN degree nurse.

The average salary for a BSN-educated nurse is $112,350 per year, or $54.02 per hour, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but it may vary by state and role.

Here is how the BSN nurse salary can vary based on your role or specialization in the healthcare industry:

Read our complete BSN salary guide to see a complete list of salary projections based on roles and location.

MSN Nurse Salary Estimates

According to the latest BLS data, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners have a median pay of $134,920 per year, and all require an MSN degree. Of course, actual salary depends on the practice, workplace, and state.

This is what the most popular specialties for MSN degree holders pay:

Find out more about MSN-level nurse salaries.

Is It Worth Getting an MSN Degree?

Enrolling in an MSN program and earning your Master's degree can be rewarding, but the path there can have its ups and downs. As with most decisions, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider beforehand.

Advantages of an MSN

Now that you know what the difference is between a BSN and an MSN, here are a few reasons why people choose to get their master's degree:

• It opens up more career opportunities. A nurse with an MSN can ultimately choose to do the job of a nurse with a BSN degree plus have additional opportunities that bring about more responsibility. Moreover, some positions at prestigious hospitals and health care organizations may prefer candidates with an MSN.
• You can also earn a significant pay increase. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a nurse with an MSN degree can earn nearly double that of an average RN.
• Many program options fit your needs, such as a traditional MSN program or a BSN-to-MSN program.
• Most programs offer online courses. When you already have a full-time job, being able to attend courses online on a more flexible schedule is the perfect option.
• You can start teaching nursing. If teaching is in your blood and you love it, then getting an MSN is the obvious choice. This gives you the opportunity to become a mentor and educator for other people.
• You can start working toward a doctorate degree. To truly reach the top of this industry, you will need to finish your BSN, then MSN, in order to pursue a PhD. education.
• More flexibility at work. The schedule for MSN degree holders tends to be more flexible and often includes regular hours, while most registered nurses work long shifts.

Challenges to Overcome to Get an MSN

The road to getting your MSN can be quite difficult and expensive. Although the outcome is worth it in some cases, others may be advised to find other ways to improve their careers. Here are a few of the challenges:

• MSN programs can be expensive. Advanced degrees are big investments, even though they may pay for themselves in a few years. However, if you are not eligible for scholarships or do not already work in a hospital that is willing to invest in your advancement, it can be quite difficult to afford it.
• MSN programs are tough. Master's programs are challenging, especially in health care. Add a full-time job and family responsibilities, and it becomes a lot of work. Thousands of learners each year prove it can be done, but it's a decision you can't take lightly.
• MSN programs are time-consuming. Coursework and clinical hours can add up to quite a few hours per week, even if you opt for online classes. Wait for the right time before enrolling to make sure you have a strong support system behind you.

Find the Best Choice for You

Deciding whether to pursue an MSN depends on your career goals and current availability. If you already hold a BSN degree, a Master's is the next natural step on the career ladder, providing many benefits but also requiring certain levels of commitment and effort on your part.

However, before getting there, you need to reach the BSN level, and there is no better way to do so than by enrolling in Nightingale College's BSN Program, a blended distance-learning academic option that combines online instruction with in-person field experiences in order to deliver high-quality, certified education in the most accessible form possible. You can complete the BSN Program in just 3 years.

Learn more about the pre-licensure BSN Program!

Alternatively, you can pursue one of the two MSN programs provided by Nightingale College: the MSN FNP Program, for aspiring family nurse practitioners, or the MSN PMHNP Program, created for learners who want to practice as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Both options provide the added benefits of blended distance-learning, allowing you to graduate and seek licensure in just 24 months.

Explore all academic programs at Nightingale College!