unusual career path: phd to msn?

arciedee · Jul 28, 2005

Hmm... can't say as I know of anyone who has gone that path, but I'm sure it's been done. As for coursework, you should probably check out the schools you are interested in to see what their requirements are, since the range of pre-reqs can be huge! WRT your current PhD coursework, I think I'd ask someone at the programs you are interested in how they would view it. I could see it being a potential issue, but really you'd be best hearing it from the horses mouth. Good luck!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 28, 2005

Hello
I am a 4th year grad (phd) student in biology at Harvard, and am considering a drastic career move: dropping out of grad school and applying for direct-entry MSN programs.
I was wondering if any of you have a similar background or know of anyone in a similar situation. I would definitely not be the typical applicant, so I am unsure of my chances of getting in. Would having a partly-completed phd be an advantage or disadvantage in admissions? Would sticking out grad school for another 3 years (ugh!) help? (i may go crazy first).
My specific concern is my lack of any recent clinical experience. I was a hospital volunteer in high school, but obviously that was 8+ years ago. I currently volunteer doing outdoor education for people with disabilities, but that's as close as I have to related work. Grad school unfortunately doesn't leave me much time to get involved with other activities....
I'm not real concerned with my academic qualifications - clearly I have taken a lot of biology coursework, and my GPA/GRE are very high. But I would have to take anatomy/physiology and nutrition before applying, right? I'm planning to take anatomy/phys this fall - is the nutrition requirement ever waived?
Thanks for any and all input and advice. This is a tough choice but something I just can't stop thinking about.
janony

Hi! I say just do what you really want to do & listen to your heart. I received my MS in biology in 2001 from UNH & then worked as a research assistant in a lab for several months & realized I wanted to do more meaningful work. So then I applied to nursing schools & in the meantime I took a 4 week class at the American Red Cross & started working as a nursing assistant & I started nursing school ( I started at the sophomore level at a 4 year traditional BSN program) 3 years ago & just graduated 2 months ago & am now a happy RN! :) If this is really what you want go for it! Oh by the way-I only took Comparative Physiology as a bio student, so I had to take A & P I & II & also psychology before I started taking nursing classes. Good luck & you can PM me if you need more advice! :)

-Christine

BladderCancerSxMgt · Jul 29, 2005

I was in the same boat (PhD in educational psychology). Graduate schools can be VERY unforgiving of people leaving to do other things and then wanting to return. I would strongly urge you to suck it up and finish the PhD. You may decide after a few years of clinical work that you want to teach and boy howdy that PhD will come in handy. But I understand your trepidation. I've wondered how schools, instructors, clincial preceptors, other students will perceive me coming into the nursing field as a "Piled higher and Deeper" in something else. I guess you just have to have faith that this is what you want to do and you will do it regardless.

For me, I decided to finish the PhD and am now starting pre-req courses, with the intention of being an oncology nurse practitioner at some point.

Good luck. PM me if you want to chat more about this.

Dave L.

:rolleyes:

Hello
I am a 4th year grad (phd) student in biology at Harvard, and am considering a drastic career move: dropping out of grad school and applying for direct-entry MSN programs.
I was wondering if any of you have a similar background or know of anyone in a similar situation. I would definitely not be the typical applicant, so I am unsure of my chances of getting in. Would having a partly-completed phd be an advantage or disadvantage in admissions? Would sticking out grad school for another 3 years (ugh!) help? (i may go crazy first).
My specific concern is my lack of any recent clinical experience. I was a hospital volunteer in high school, but obviously that was 8+ years ago. I currently volunteer doing outdoor education for people with disabilities, but that's as close as I have to related work. Grad school unfortunately doesn't leave me much time to get involved with other activities....
I'm not real concerned with my academic qualifications - clearly I have taken a lot of biology coursework, and my GPA/GRE are very high. But I would have to take anatomy/physiology and nutrition before applying, right? I'm planning to take anatomy/phys this fall - is the nutrition requirement ever waived?
Thanks for any and all input and advice. This is a tough choice but something I just can't stop thinking about.
janony

thursdaygrl · Aug 2, 2005

Janony,

I'm 39 years old--I just finished a BSN (my 2nd bachelor's degree) and passed the NCLEX. At the same time, I'm slowly working on a doctorate in Micro. Well, ok, it may SEEM like I'm a professional student, but I'm really not. I enjoy school and I have goals to finish. I may be 90 years old when I complete that doctorate (God willing), but I will have met my goal. Do what you WANT to do. Nothing is ever worth the effort (even if it is a small effort) if your heart isn't in it.

Good luck!