After graduating with a bachelors of science degree in nursing (BSN), when should I go to graduate school?
This really varies on your career goals. For example, if you plan to be a nursing faculty member, you would most likely want to go directly into a fast-track PhD or Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This would allow you to get your advanced degree and begin teaching. Many nurses feel that they need a year or two of clinical experience before going back to graduate school. Nurses who want to become nurse practitioners (NP) many times feel that those years right after their undergraduate studies were invaluable, in regards to giving them experience. When they went on for their NP, they had excellent clinical experience and skills. However, many people do go right from their BSN into a master’s program. Again, depends on your career goals. Pam Malloy, RN, MN, OCN ELNEC Project Director American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036-1120 202-463-6930, Ext.
