I just recently learned about direct entry programs and wonder what these programs look for when they accept an applicant. Is the GPA biggest factor or is it the healthcare experience or GRE score. Any input from students who were accepted into a direct entry would be helpful.

I think $$$ is a big factor.

The school website should provide the admission criteria. The direct entry MSN or the ABSN programs are for people who already have a bachelor's degree. They are designed for people without healthcare experience, but any experience you have is a plus. Your GPA is very important, but other factors are also important, such as relevant experience, volunteering, relevant skills, references, you essays, and your interview (if required). Not all programs require a GRE and if they do, it is usually just the verbal - check with each school. These are difficult programs so they want to make sure that not only would you be a good nurse, but that you can handle a difficult academic program.

When I was looking at Direct Entry MSN programs many of them emphasized having an overall GPA and pre-req GPA (3.5+) make you a competitive applicant . However, after I thought about it, I opted for a 1 year ABSN program because of cost, length, and automatic matriculation into the MSN APRN program after. So in 2.5 academic years I can earn my BSN and MSN-FNP.

The other direct entry MSN programs were 60-80K/year in tuition alone for 2 years.

Please note that if have no prior RN experience and are going into a direct entry MSN program, you will not be an NP. You will graduate and become a CNS. In that situation, you have to complete a post-master's certificate program to be an NP. This is because you did not go through a BSN program.

Hi! I'm interested in how you made this decision... most MSN-FNP programs that aren't "direct entry" seem to require 1 year or more experience working as an RN, after earning an ABSN. How did you get around this?

If you don't have a bachelors in nursing then you can also do a direct entry msn program because it's for people that want to become nurses that majored in something else. If you are a RN then you need to have some experience before you become a nurse practitioner.

Please note that if have no prior RN experience and are going into a direct entry MSN program, you will not be an NP. You will graduate and become a CNS. In that situation, you have to complete a post-master's certificate program to be an NP. This is because you did not go through a BSN program.

This is not true. There are plenty of direct-entry MSN programs that offer advanced practice concentrations (all of them except CRNA, because of the practice requirements to be eligible), and, for the ones that don't, you don't "become a CNS." CNS is a specific advanced practice role, and you have to complete a CNS program (whether traditional or direct entry) in order to be eligible for certification. Perhaps you are thinking of clinical nurse leader, "CNL," which is what a lot of the generic MSN programs offer.

If you don't have a bachelors in nursing then you can also do a direct entry msn program because it's for people that want to become nurses that majored in something else. If you are a RN then you need to have some experience before you become a nurse practitioner.

(Unfortunately, IMO), there are a growing number of NP programs, as well as other advanced practice specialty programs, that will take people fresh out of a BSN program, without any nursing experience other than their school clinicals.