#1 Nursing Resource: 30,000 Nurses Visiting Daily

Log in   Sign up   Why join?   | Layout: Switch to narrow layout Color: gold style blue style rose style
Nursing Community for Nurses
Home Forums Articles Specialty Students Region Career Resources

Advanced Search Site Help Site Map

Question? - Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an ADN



Currently Online
Members: 161
Guests: 1,024
1,185

Job Spotlight
Oncology Nurse RN
Southlake, Texas
Forum Spotlight
Oncology Nursing

Nursing Degrees

Nursing Articles

Imagine.
Am I Meant To Be A Nurse?
Nurse
Health Website Analysis: allnurses.com
They Call Me The Swamp Nurse
Submit An Article

Nursing Jobs

Job Seeker: Employer:

Newsletter

Subscribe to the free allnurses.com email newsletter. We will keep you informed of nursing news, articles, discussions, and more.

Enter your email address:

Read current:
Nursing Newsletter

How-To allnurses

allnurses videos

Welcome to allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses

The largest most active online nursing community. Join 294,240 nurses from around the world to learn, communicate, and network. For full allnurses.com access, register today - it's free! Problems during registration? Please don't hesitate to contact support.

Would you like to comment?
Join or Login if already a member.
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old May 09, 2008, 02:52 AM
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Question? - Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an ADN

Last year I graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree (it will be 1 year in August) & I have yet to secure employment. Medical social work the niche I found through my undergraduate internship in a medical center & working as the SW intern for the inpatient rehabilitation unit. During this time I witnessed:
  • SWs being replaced by RN case managers
  • How much patient contact nurses have compared to SWs
  • The diversity of the nursing profession
  • Nurses run the hospital!
I see myself as an advocate for health care & patients. I love working with the underserved populations (elderly, poor, minorities, etc.) and am interested in health promotion, preventative health, transplantation, patient education, working in primary care or community settings. I don't think that SW or having an MSW will provide the best foundation for pursuing my interests & the passions of my heart (to serve others) and am considering bypassing the graduate program in SW to pursue an Associate's Degree in Nursing--even though I was accepted into the 1 year advanced standing MSW program & the ADN would take 2 years. I would have to finance the ADN on my own.

QUESTIONS:
  1. Since I have a 4 yr degree is the ADN a good option?
  2. How are RNs with BAs in other fields viewed in the workplace?
  3. What do employers think of RN to MSN graduates?

Top
  #2  
Old May 09, 2008, 03:45 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

If I were you, I would look into persuing your bacholer's in nursing as a second degree. I know that some universities offer that kind of program. If there isn't one in your area or you're unable to relocate at this time, you can always persue the ADN program and finish the BSN part once you've begun working as an RN. I have a friend who is currently going to school for her BSN and she already has a bachelor's in health admin (I think! I know it's some sort of admin/health policy degree). Since her previous bachelor degree has no A&P, Micro, or clinical component, etc, she needs those courses which are part of the "Nursing as a second degree" program. I believe it will take her 2 years to finish this program which is comparable to the ADN programs.

Anyhow, every school/university is different but it's an option to look into. I admire you for considering nursing. It is a tough, but rewarding field. It's most rewarding when you've figured out which "niche" is yours and it certainly sounds like you have. Good luck!

Top

The following member says Thank You:
  #3  
Old May 09, 2008, 09:21 AM
RhodyGirl-SN (Female)
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

Just be aware that even ADN programs these days can take 4 years or more to complete. I am in a BSN program and by the time all is said and done, it will have been a 7 year deal.
I wish you the best of luck in your decision and career success!

Top

The following member says Thank You:
  #4  
Old May 09, 2008, 09:29 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

I agree with RNKatePSU-there are numerous BSN programs that are for persons who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. Usually these programs take about a year, then you are awarded a BSN degree. If you want greater diversity with a nursing degree (expanded opportunities, etc.) then the BSN is the way to go. I'm a graduate student (already have a BSN degree) in nursing, and as long as you graduate from an accredited program of nursing, employers should view an RN-MSN program favorably.

Hope this helps,
UnitRN01

Top

The following members say Thank You:
  #5  
Old May 09, 2008, 09:43 AM
kristenncrn (Female)
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

I have a previous degree in psyc and communications then some grad school.

I got my ADN and I'm glad. It was three years, but that was part time (and cheap!!!) That was better for me because I was a single mom at the time and needed the flexible hours and the $200 a semester tuition. Really!

I'm working on my RN-MSN bridge program through Walden (slowly but surely.)

The hospital sees no difference where I'm at in BSN vs. BA/BS to MSN.

My friend who is an MSW on our floor would say that she gets paid very little, no one seems to understand what she does or how well-trained she is in her field, she gets very little respect and as a SW in peds - her case load is heartbreaking. OTOH - she works M-F, semi-sets her own hours, has her own office, no being on call (though she definitely comes in in special circumstances) and she is very autonomous.

If I could go back and not fail out of grad school at 21 years old, that'd be great, but that didn't work out for me. I think they are both great fields and I'm not sure I could say one is better than the other... Nursing probably has more flexibility as far as different options for the future, though, if you don't see doing social work forever...

Best,

Kristen

Top

The following member says Thank You:
  #6  
Old May 09, 2008, 10:55 AM
elkpark's Avatar
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2003
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

There are so many individual variables involved that there is no one "best" route (to RN licensure). I would encourage you to talk to "live people" at all the nursing programs in your area (ADN, traditional BSN, accelerated BSN (if there is one)), find out what they have to say about how competitive a candidate you would be, how much of your previous coursework would transfer in to meet their requirements, what the time frame for completion would be, costs, scheduling, etc., and then spend some time puzzling out which is the best option for you in your specific circumstances.

Lots of people will tell you that anyone who already has a BA/BS "should" go to an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, but that's not necessarily true. Those programs tend to be comparatively expensive compared to other nursing programs, and they are extremely fast-paced and intense -- which might be great for some people, but a poor choice for others. If a lot of your previous coursework would transfer in to meet the requirements in a traditional BSN program, you might well be able to complete just the nursing courses of a traditional BSN program in not much more time (than an ABSN program) and possibly save a lot of $$$. Ditto for an ADN. Or, you might find, after investigating, that you are best off with the ABSN program. All other things being equal, you'll be better off, in terms of growth and options within the field once you're in it, with a BSN than an ADN, so, if it turned out that you could get a BSN in about the same amount of time, for about the same amount of $$$, as you could an ADN, I'd encourage you to go for the BSN. Some employers consider an ADN + BA/BS (in something else) the equivalent of a BSN degree for their own, internal purposes (promotion, management positions, etc); many employers (and graduate schools) don't. BSN curricula include specific nursing content that ADN curricula don't, and a baccalaureate degree in another field doesn't change the fact that you haven't had that additional BSN-level content/experience.

My point is , the "best" option is going to be different for everyone. Whichever route you end up going, you're going to invest a whole lot of time, effort, and $$$, so it's well worth putting in the extra effort up front to be sure you're making the right, best choice for you.

As for your other questions, most people with previous degrees (and there are plenty of other threads here about this! ) are v. disappointed to find that their previous degrees don't benefit them in beginning a nursing career. Basically, no one's going to care that you have another degree; a new grad (in nursing) is a new grad is a new grad. However, it may be of benefit to you as you move forward in your nursing career over time.

I'm not sure what you mean by "What do employers think of RN to MSN graduates?" If you want to clarify what you're asking, I'd be happy to offer an opinion. Best wishes!

Top

The following members say Thank You:
  #7  
Old May 09, 2008, 12:52 PM
futurecnm (Female)
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

I am a soon to be ADN graduate with a previous bachelors degree. like someone else said, there are many options. I looked into an accelerated program but it was so expensive that I just couldn't do it. I also have a family and 2 kids and it would have taken over my entire life (full time, can't work, have to do school basically the whole time). I opted for the ADN due to finances and time demands. I went to school 2 nights a week and had clinical every other weekend. I save so much money. I want to add that it takes 2 years for the NURSING part of the program, but there are multiple pre-requisites you have to have done prior to this (most programs are quite competitive and most students have them basically finished before applying, it would be really hard to take them with the nursing courses). It took me close to 4 years to finish it all.

Top

The following member says Thank You:
  #8  
Old May 09, 2008, 02:21 PM
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

First all I want to thank you all for your thoughtful replies! To clarify about the whole RN-MSN question: Do employers view graduates of a RN to MSN (BA/BS in non-nursing field + ADN + MSN) program as favorably as they do ADN to BSN to MSN or BSN to MSN graduates or would that put one at a disadvantage?

For financial reasons. . .I am really thinking about going forth with the MSW program (it's one year), working and saving money to complete an accelerated nursing program later. I am 24 (soon to be 25) and I am the sole provider & caregiver for my six year old daughter. Two degrees in two years wouldn't be bad. . .there are no accelerated programs in my area so I'd need to relocate.

I feel that my experience in social work will be benefical to me as a nurse because it will help me to see the patients' illness, disease, or disability in a context that is related to the psychosocial issues such as the importance of their home environment, support system, etc. and as a nurse or nurse practicioner in a primary care setting or even in a general acute care hospital setting from trauma units to pediatrics--I love the diversity that nursing offers (!) (hopefully with a great deal of autonomy and possibly independent practice) I can provide patients & families with more holistic care that encompasses physical & mental well being.

Enough of my ranting!
Again thanks to all of you for your responses & encouragement! I love nurses & what the profession is about! NURSES ROCK!!!

P.S. I have been reading a book entitled Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse by Echo Heron. .. can any of you recommend any other books about nursing?

Top
  #9  
Old May 09, 2008, 04:12 PM
StarryNyte713 (Female)
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

Hello! I have a B.A. in Psych and worked in Social Services for a couple years. Did NOT like it at all... but it put me into a lot of contact with nurses. I found that I was in the wrong "helping" profession.
I just finished my nursing pre-reqs and will be starting an A.A.S. program in nursing this August.
I had applied to a couple accelerated BSN programs, but I was put on waiting lists. Even if I get in, I would have need to relocate and take out tons in loans. The community college is an inexpensive alternative, and I will get my BSN/MSN through a bridge program while I'm working as a nurse.
Just look around at ALL of the programs, get information (tuition, pre-reqs, start dates), check out the NCLEX pass rates... see which is the best fit for you!
Good luck!

Top

The following member says Thank You:
  #10  
Old May 09, 2008, 07:00 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Re: Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an A

Some programs like Texas Womens have a fast track bsn of nursing. I think it is 18 months if you have previous bachelors in any field.
I think I would do that.

Top

The following member says Thank You:
Remove this ad - Upgrade your Membership Sponsored Links
 
Would you like to comment?
Join or Login if already a member.


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BC master entry program cost nicks Graduate Student Nurse Forum: MSN/DNP/PhD 0 Mar 18, 2008 03:25 PM
Dual social work/RN program? katulka Pre-Nursing Student Forum 10 Dec 06, 2006 09:28 PM
anyone admitted to CSU Fullerton entry level MSN program? drkentrystudent California Nurses 4 Aug 17, 2006 05:36 PM


Currently Active Users Viewing: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search



New To Site?
Need Help?

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 AM.

Question? - Admitted to graduate Master of Social Work Program but considering going for an ADN

Copyright © 1996-2008, allnurses.com. All rights reserved.  allnurses.com, Inc. Advertising Information