[bsumo2]

Hi everyone hope your day is going well.I want to ask you all for advice. I am a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I will be graduating in May with a degre in community health education, but i've always known i've wanted to be a nurse. since my school does not really have a nursing program it is through UIC I wanted to apply to a nursing school after graduation, but I do not want another bacholar degree, I want a master's in nursing. Is it possible for me to have a bacholar in community health, and then go on to get my masters in nursing? If so what are some schools that would have such programs, because i have looked into a few but i'm confused if after garduation i will have a BSN or MSN. I would appreciate any help you all can give me. Thanks!

[Diary/Dairy]

Good luck to you with finding something that works for you!!

[Silverdragon102]

Welcome and good luck

[RainDreamer]

Hi and welcome to allnurses! Good luck to you!

[arciedee]

The short answer is yes, there are programs that will allow you to earn a master's degree in nursing with a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. These are typically called "direct-entry" programs. There is a list of programs starting on page 4 of the following document:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF

The other programs which you have probably come across are 2nd degree bachelors programs, which are typically accelerated courses of study. Some MS programs will award the BS as part of the program, others do not.

[illinipeds]

I was actually in your exact shoes last year... different major, same school. I applied to (and was accepted to) two programs in the Chicago area that are Master's programs for students with non-nursing bachelor's degrees. Which program is right for you depends on what you are hoping to do. UIC has a program that is a Master's/NP program and is at least three years. DePaul (which is where I am now) has a program that is only a Master's program (and you can go on for your NP). The Master's portion is two years. I would definitely suggest going the MSN route rather than any BSN completion programs. It is really only a year longer and you will have a Master's If you have any other questions let me know. I am definitely glad to help a fellow Illini