RN-MSN programs??

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all I just wanted to know if anybody has had any experience with RN-MSN programs in which you dont get a BSN. Specifically, the programs for those who have bachelor's in other disciplines.

Im curious to know if anybody has ran into any limitations with these types of programs as far as competing for employment & career advancement with those who have taken the traditional route (BSN-MSN).

Ive heard so many different opinions about the BSN giving more opportunities but am wondering if those same opportunites exist for non-traditional MSN seekers.

In my area (east coast) one of the top graduate schools for nursing in the U.S. offers the RN-MSN for non-BSN graduates & they market it like it doesnt really matter about the BSN preference. Theres only 2 bridge courses with the option of taking them the summer before you start or in the first semester of the program.

Since theres so many routes to get to the terminal nursing degree & all of these new RN-BSN-MSN, RN-MSN, direct-entry MSN, etc. it sends my head spinning on figuring out how to decipher through the pros & cons of each:uhoh3:

Thanks for listening & for any info

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I'll be watching this thread. You wouldn't happen to be referring to the program at University of Maryland, would you? I am interested in their program but I have the same questions that you do.

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also watching this thread...I'm an associate degree RN and have a bachelors in biology....would like to become an NP but many programs want a bachelors to even get into the program.

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Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions has such a program... I don't know where the OP is from or whether this helps.... but there must be others like it:

http://www.mghihp.edu/nursing/postprofessional/ms.html

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I'm pretty sure that the University of Tennessee offers a NP program for non nursing majors. However, the program is three years long vs 18 months for BSN degree. The web site is www.utk.edu

Hope this helps

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I know for sure that the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio has a ADN/Diploma to MSN program, and they actually award a Bachelor's and Master's at the end of the program. Here's the link:

http://nursing.uthscsa.edu/grad/rn_msn.shtml

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Hi pinksugar,

Not exactly UMaryland but i was considering them before I found out that you can't bypass the BSN program & program length. I am actually referring to Virginia Commonwealth University RN-MSN program because they bypass the BSN & you enter straight into your masters specialty & they're ranked as one of the top graduate schools. They told me its not "exactly" RN-MSN because I would apply as a regular masters applicant since I already have a prior degree. I just want to make sure I investigate every option throughly & see what opinions others have who could help us out on our journey

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It was either Excelsior or Phoenix (bricks-and-morter universities with a healthy online student population) that offered RN-MSN without stopping at BSN first. You could, of course, do the RN-BSN alone, then go on, but the school offered the option of fast-tracking. Basically it eliminated the repeating of certain courses, and streamlining what you did take and when, so you could go from an ADN (RN) to an MSN in about 30 months. Don't think it was easy, though; it looked pretty time-intense to me, and it was expensive. But, there it was if you wanted it and could manage the schedule and the finances.

You'll have to Google each; I can't remember which one offered it!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

From my research, RN to MSN degrees, as said by a previous poster, usually award you the BSN either partially through the program or at the end. The programs I have seen allow you to apply credits from certain classes to both degrees, allowing you to complete your MSN a little sooner than going the traditional route.

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also watching this thread...I'm an associate degree RN and have a bachelors in biology....would like to become an NP but many programs want a bachelors to even get into the program.

Try my school slu.edu. I do believe you can have a BS in something other than nursing and get your MSN. They require two-three additional courses if you have a BS, rather than BSN. They have both onsite and online programs with a number of different NP options. Good Luck!!!

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Just wanted to say thanks for the info from everybody so far & Im looking into all the options offered & still welcoming any additional info!!!

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