direct entry msn

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i was wondering if there is anyone out there currently in or has graduated from a direct entry to practice master's program. i have recently been accepted to one, but am a little hesitant about going a route that will leave me without a bsn..for this in the know or have had this experience, is there any validity to this fear? i.e...any employers turning you down for lack of one? any regrets about taking the second degree master's route? (if it's been the best idea ever, i'd equally love to hear about that!) thank you thank you,

wouldn't want to offend anyone

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Specializes in ICU.

Vanderbilt University in Tennessee also has a direct entry MSN with many, many areas of speciality. They allow entry for those with 78 units of college credit (student with no previous degree), a previous college grads with bachelors degrees, ADN students, and BSN students who want a MSN. It seems like an excellent program, and I even thought about applying, but I'm still young (19) and don't know which speciality I'd want to pursue; they make you declare it when you apply.

Also, the University of Portland and I believe Seattle University have a MSN entry program for those with previous BA/BS degrees.

Good luck with school choices...it's really a hard decision!!!

-Michelle in CA

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

University of Oklahoma has direct-entry masters as well.

I have 2 girl friends who have done that, one had a BA in Spanish and the other in Art History and they both got into the program and came out Nurse Practitioner's a couple years later and they love it. One works for an OB/GYN and gets a flat rate plus 20% (or maybe it is 10%...I can't remember off hand, either way she makes good money) for each procedure she performs and my other friend works as a pediatric NP, both work under a doctor in his/her clinic and they just love it. They do work for really great doctors which I think makes a difference.

Marilyn

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gee, i never thought about direct-entry msn. i'll need to look into some of those. what programs are you guys considering attending? i grew up in san diego and am seriously considering heading to ca for my nursing school (i'm in ks right now).

meghan

i am an alternate for western university of health sciences in pomona, ca. this program is brand new (msn-e) and the class that starts this august will be the first. the program offers two specialities: fnp and clinical leadership & management. they are currently taking applications for the fall 2005 class.

university of san diego also has a program (mepn) that is still fairly new - only 4 years old. i don't know about it being nationally highly ranked, but from personal research it is locally highly ranked - the san diego county/orange county nursing community has nothing but kudos for the program and its graduates. the program offers 5 specialities: adult np, adult cns, fnp, pediatric np, and health care systems. under the np they have further specializations in gerontology, integrative health, latino health and school health. they are currently taking applications for the june 2005 class.

university of san francisco, san francisco state university and university of california at san francisco also have direct entry programs, but since moving the family to northern california is not an option for me, i do not know much about these programs.

why would a direct-entry program not provide the bsn after the first year if you already have a bachelors in something else? some direct entry programs do give you the bsn this way, not sure why others would not...

good question! i can only assume it is political in nature. since you don't have the bsn when you complete the first year of nursing, you cannot transfer school and complete the msn coursework elsewhere - you would have to attend an rn to bsn or rn to msn program first. you are also more than likely not able to practice in other states with no bsn. so you are locked to whatever state you live and are licensed in now. if you leave after completing the first year, yeah you're a nurse but you have no nursing degree, so you can't advance in higher education and can't move. :rolleyes:

as far as choices, it was simple for me. after researching nursing and exploring all options, the direct-entry msn is the only way for me to go. my ultimate goal is to obtain a ph.d in nursing and become a nursing educator. to go back to an adn or bsn program would be taking me back some ways (time-wise and finance-wise) to reaching my ultimate goal. i did consider acclerated bsn, but the problem with that is finances - you do not get a lot in financial aid for a 2nd bachelor's degree, while you do get a higher limit in pursuing a master's degree. since there are only two programs in southern california that match my needs, it became clear where i was going.

hope this info helps and hope that no matter what route you choose, you'll get there!

topcat

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Hi all! I am starting and direct entry MSN program at DePaul University in Chicago this September. I like this program because it does not require you to choose your specialty upfront and considering it's direct entry, I don't have any nursing experience to make an educated choice. It's two years full-time and then you can apply for a post-master's certificate in a variety of specialties.

Like many others, this makes the best sense. It doesnt seem like a good idea to go back and get an ADN or a BSN, considering I already hold a BSN.

As far as the pre-req's, this program just as many as accelerated BSN..I guess it's just a matter of preference and your ultimate goals.

Thanks for starting this thread..was looking for some fellow direct entry MSN students!

Also, very happy to hear that you all know of direct-entry graduates who have gotten jobs and are well respected in the healthcare community.

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It's so good to read about other people with degrees going into nursing.

If you're sure you want a masters, you should also check out Duquesne in Pittsburgh. They have an Accelerated BSN (13 mo) followed by a one-year on-line MSN. It's standard private school prices, but you get the masters even faster than the direct entry programs.

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