Applying for Entry-Level MSN

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi everyone...

I have received a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, and would like to transition to a Master's in Nursing. In order to do this, it seems the program I need to go under is through the 'Entry Level MSN' program.

But I am really confused on how to get started, which schools I am fit to apply to, and how to get the necessary materials I need (such as reference letters from instructors who might not even remember me anymore...).

Can anyone shed some light on how I can approach this? I am pretty bad at researching different schools, and I really have no one to go to for guidance right now... I really want to be able to start back in school next year.

Any help would be appreciated... thank you.

Maybe you could become a CNA or patient care tech. You can get a CNA certificate in about a month, and it would help you see what nursing is really like while giving you healthcare experience.

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You do not need an MSN to specialize.

As of 2014 you need a license aka RN to practice nursing is ANY speciality. This can range from OB to ER to ICU to Medsurg to Peds to NICU to Cardiac. Anything.

You can become an RN by getting:

An associate degree in nursing

A bachelor degree in nursing.

Then you take NCLEX and wham you're an RN.

Associate and Bachelor programs have mandatory clinicals. Usually one 12 hr clinical a week.

BSN and ADN clinicals both geared toward preparing you to be an RN.

The MSN clinical will most likely depend on what the MSN track you're on.

FNP will be clinicals following an NP, MD, or PA learning how to function as such.

Nicu (neonatal NP) clinical experience will be following neonatologists and maybe pediatricians and learning to function within the scope of a "mid level".

I know it's a little crazy.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am getting a sense that OP doesn't really know a lot about nursing - it's great that AN'ers are always there to help.

There is a very strong caution associated with entry-level MSNs (ELM). State Nurse Practice Acts (NPA) have specific requirements for educational preparation that is necessary for NCLEX eligibility..... which may NOT include MSN. Therefore, even though you may be able to be licensed in your 'home' state after completing an ELM program, you would not be able to be licensed in one of those states. Therefore, it could definitely limit the ability to relocate and practice nursing in the future.

The 'no experience' issue is also a challenge. It is not possible to practice in an 'advanced' role unless you have mastered basic clinical competency. Employers in my area (including my own organization) are just not hiring ELMs for advanced roles (clinical or administrative). We are also seeing many more MSNs working in staff roles. It's not unusual at all these days.

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HouTX,

Do you know where I can find more about the NPAs for different states? I'm looking to apply to an ELM CNL program next year through Georgia Regents University and want to ensure that I will have flexibility should I chose to relocate in the distant future. It seems silly to me that an ELM program wouldn't be approved the same as an ADN or BSN program if a student completed the required clinicals and academic requirements, as well as successfully passing the NCLEX.

BTW, I completely agree that MSN grads should work as staff nurses before delving into anything more advanced, clinical or otherwise.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Couple more questions... thanks for all your help!

What would the BSN degree/programs allow me to do after I graduate from them? Would they give me sufficient experience to securely find a job and practice as an RN? And what about different nursing specialties (like cardiac, oncology, peds, etc.)?

Or will I just be a general nurse (medical surgery), while MSN allows me to specialize?

Nursing school--whether you go the ASN route, BSN, other-BS-to-BSN, ELMSN--will give you the basics to practice as an RN. Everybody might have different goals while in school, but everybody has the same education. At my school for an ASN, we had classroom and clinicals a little bit of everywhere. We had short rotations in LTC, mother-baby, psych, longer ones in med-surg (a couple of the floors took peds pts), and then scattered days in the ICU, PACU, OR, school, family clinic/travel clinic, etc. Then we had a practicum the final semester that I believe was 120 hours but I don't remember.

Once you get a job, you can start learning about that specialty beyond what you learn in school. Not replacing what we learned in school, but add to it. Eventually we can get certifications in the area we work in if we choose to, e.g. CCRN for critical care, SCRN for stroke care, CEN for emergency nursing, etc. I'll add, med-surg has a specialty exam/cert also--it's not "general." ;)

A degree/diploma from an accredited nursing program and subsequent licensing by passing the NCLEX-RN qualifies you to work as an RN. How quickly and where you find a job at depends on the market in your area, among other factors.

My personal opinion is that even with a master's, if it's an entry level MSN, you should not qualify for advanced nursing roles. Going from no practice to advanced practice is foolish at best, and if you did land a job in administration or something, your lack of experience will show VERY quickly. Passing the NCLEX means you have the minimum knowledge to practice, but you won't be independent for at least a year, but it takes most people a good 2 yrs at least.

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@HouTx You are right. I don't know much about nursing at all. That is why I came on here to ask questions! And I want to thank you all for your help...

I have decided to go the ABSN route. I intern at a hospital right now and pretty much do the same things a CNA does. The only thing I am lacking right now to apply for ABSN programs... is that I am missing a couple classes, such as public speaking and developmental psychology.

I have already applied for a few CCs to get that over with asap. I plan to continue my internship whilst I do get my BSN degree, and getting clinicals through the program is a big plus too.

The only obstacle right now is.. I am not sure if I can even get into those classes because CCs are really impacted.

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