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Degree goals all depend on the career goal
of the individual. If they love bedside nursing, as I did, an ADN is a
great starting place. I fully believe that this is the best place for
everyone to begin as it lays the foundation for what health care and
nursing are all about.
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MSN degrees usually lead to more autonomy
for a nurse and are required for advance practice such as a nurse
practioner. These people specialize in all sorts of areas e.g.
maternal-child health, cardiac, etc. An MSN is also required for anyone
who wants to teach in the nursing field.
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My opinion, and it's only that, are that
people are more apt to get a job with an ADN or BSN. These are entry
level positions. Most MSN's have been in bedside practice before moving
into more advanced areas.
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Most people, fresh out of school, take an
entry level job in a hospital. A few go into specialized practice
working with a physician, but this is very much the exception.
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As with any job, experience and time in the
field directly affect one's pay scale.
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The profession is pushing to have BSN as the
entry level only, but I doubt that this is going to take hold, given the
shortage nationwide. However, it is absolutely important to go on for a
BSN. This definitely opens up doors that are not available to an ADN
graduate.