If you already hold a bachelor's degree in a field outside nursing and you're ready to make the move into the profession, you have more than one way in. Two of the most common pathways for non-nursing graduates are the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and the Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Both can get you into the profession, but they lead to different degree levels and can differ in curriculum, length, and where they leave you for future education.
It's worth noting up front that a Direct-Entry MSN is different from a traditional MSN, which requires an existing BSN and serves already-licensed nurses. This article compares the two pathways built for people entering nursing from another field. Understanding the accelerated BSN vs. Direct-Entry MSN decision comes down to your starting point and your long-term goals. This guide breaks down what each pathway is, how they compare, and the factors worth weighing before you choose.
What Is an Accelerated BSN?
An Accelerated BSN is an undergraduate nursing program built for students who have earned 60 college credits, or already hold a bachelor's degree, in another field. Because you've completed prior college coursework, an ABSN lets you focus on nursing-specific education and finish on a condensed timeline compared with a traditional four-year BSN.
The result is a bachelor's-level nursing degree. Graduates of qualifying prelicensure ABSN programs can pursue RN licensure after meeting the applicable requirements and taking the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. For students who want to enter nursing with a bachelor's-level nursing degree, an ABSN provides an accelerated alternative to a traditional four-year BSN. You can learn more about the George Washington School of Nursing (GWSON) program.
What Is a Direct-Entry MSN?
A Direct-Entry MSN is a graduate-level nursing pathway designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. Rather than stopping at the bachelor's level, it allows eligible non-nursing graduates to enter the profession while earning a master's degree. Because it prepares students for initial licensure, it is sometimes called a pre-licensure MSN.
Unlike traditional MSN pathways for practicing nurses, a Direct-Entry MSN is designed for students entering nursing from another academic or professional background. A traditional MSN requires that students already hold a BSN and RN licensure, and it is designed for practicing nurses who want to advance their education, an entirely different audience. A Direct-Entry MSN, by contrast, is built for people entering nursing from another academic or professional background. GW's new Direct-Entry MSN is designed specifically for non-nursing bachelor's degree holders.
Explore GW's Direct-Entry MSN Program
Can You Get an MSN Without a BSN?
Yes. A Direct-Entry MSN can allow eligible students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to pursue graduate nursing education without first earning a BSN. This answers a common question among career changers: Can you get an MSN without a BSN? For eligible students pursuing a Direct-Entry MSN, the answer can be yes.
This differs from the traditional BSN-to-MSN pathway, which is designed for practicing nurses who already hold a BSN and want to advance. Keep in mind that eligibility and prerequisites vary by program. GW's new Direct-Entry MSN is an option for students entering nursing from another academic or professional background, without requiring a nursing bachelor's first.
How to Choose Between an Accelerated BSN and Direct-Entry MSN
The difference between BSN and MSN pathways for non-nursing graduates is not only about degree level. The comparison here is between an Accelerated BSN and a Direct-Entry (pre-licensure) MSN, both open to students without a nursing background, not a comparison with a traditional MSN, which requires an existing BSN.
The main difference between an Accelerated BSN and a Direct-Entry MSN is the degree earned: an ABSN leads to a bachelor's degree in nursing, while a Direct-Entry MSN allows eligible non-nursing graduates to enter nursing through a master's-level program.
| Decision Factor | GW Accelerated BSN | GW Direct-Entry MSN |
| Degree earned | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing |
| Degree level | Undergraduate | Graduate |
| Designed for | Students with 60 credits of prior non-nursing college education or a non-nursing degree | Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree |
| Program length | 4 consecutive semesters | 4 consecutive semesters |
| Credits | 60 | 64 |
| Clinical hours | 540 | 900 |
| Path to RN licensure | Eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN after graduation | Eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN after graduation |
| Future education | May pursue graduate nursing education later | Provides a foundation for APRN certificate, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or PhD in Nursing pathways |
Use these factors together rather than in isolation. When comparing the MSN vs. BSN prelicensure options for non-nursing graduates, the right choice depends on whether you want to enter nursing at the bachelor's or master's level, as well as each program's cost, structure, and alignment with your long-term goals.
What About Accelerated BSN-to-MSN Programs?
Some students take a multi-step route: they earn an ABSN, become a licensed RN, and later pursue an MSN. This ABSN-to-MSN pathway may appeal to people who want to earn their BSN, become licensed as an RN, and pursue graduate nursing education later.
A Direct-Entry MSN offers a different approach, providing a single graduate pathway into nursing for eligible non-nursing bachelor's degree holders. Neither route is universally better. The ABSN vs. MSN choice, and whether to layer them, depends on your goals, timeline, finances, and preferred educational path.
Choose the Nursing Path That Fits Your Goals
Both the Accelerated BSN and the Direct-Entry MSN can open the door to a nursing career for people who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The right choice depends on the degree level you want to earn, the time and financial commitment each program requires, and how each pathway supports your long-term nursing goals.
GW School of Nursing offers pathways for students entering the profession as well as opportunities for continued nursing education. Explore the Direct-Entry MSN and compare it with GW's Accelerated BSN, review the application process, and see how career services can support you after graduation.
Learn More About the GW School of Nursing
FAQs
- How long does an Accelerated BSN take compared with a Direct-Entry MSN?
Program length varies by institution, prerequisite requirements, and program structure. At GW, both the Accelerated BSN and Direct-Entry MSN are designed to be completed in four consecutive semesters. The programs differ, however, in degree level, curriculum, credit requirements, and clinical hours.
- Do Accelerated BSN and Direct-Entry MSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN exam?
Graduates of qualifying prelicensure BSN and Direct-Entry MSN pathways who are seeking initial RN licensure take the NCLEX-RN examination. Keep in mind that graduating alone does not confer licensure; candidates must also meet the applicable requirements in the state where they intend to practice.
- Is an Accelerated BSN or Direct-Entry MSN better for career changers?
Neither is universally better. The right fit depends on the degree level you want, the curriculum, the timeline, the cost, and your long-term goals. Compare the specific programs you're considering, and choose the pathway that best aligns with where you want your nursing career to go.