Is it possible to go from ADN (associates degree) directly to MSN ?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

hi! I am about to graduate in the next few months from nursing school. YAAAAYYYY!!!:) As this chapter is ending I am looking to the future and wondering what my options are. I am considering furthering my education, which I plan on doing at some point but the question is now or later. I have heard some people mention something about being able to go to ADN to MSN in two years? Is this true??? I would think that you would have to move from one degree to another and not just jump ahead. If anyone has any advice, details, or insight to this topic please let me know !!! Thank you :)

Specializes in Case Management.

I'm planning on doing a ADN or RN to MSN program but I think you need a bachelor degree in whatever as a requirement for some programs but as your searching for schools just check out their requirements to help you know what you need and such before applying to their program.

Congrats and good luck!

My university has an ADN to MSN but you gain your BSN on the way. Last I checked university of South Carolina does too and some online programs as well.

Yes, some schools offer RN (ADN) to MN, but not all Masters degrees are for advanced practice such as NP. I know at UW Milwaukee you have to to the DNP which can also be done direct entry from RN (ADN). I also have heard of other programs that have a direct entry to MN, or PhD if you have a Bachelor's Degree in another field. Does any of that make sense??

There are a lot of schools near me that offer ADN to MSN. They are normally called "bridge" programs. They might just say RN to MSN. I am not sure on how long it takes to complete them. I am looking to go the ADN to MSN route for midwifery school.

There are several schools that offer ADN to MSN, just google them. I know that they do take longer than two years though. I was going to go this route, but they are much more expensive then doing the RN to BSN at my school and then applying to a masters program. I would of also needed at least another school year full of classes to have their pre-req's for their program when I only have one semester in mine.

Specializes in NICU.

Like stephanie said the ASN (RN) to MSN is the same as doing RN-BSN at a school and then BSN-MSN. The only difference is that you don't have to reapply after you get your BSN. Both routes take about 4 yrs.

Specializes in Emergency Department.

You asked if it was possible to go from ADN to MSN directly. I'm going to say flat out that yes it is possible to do that. The qualifier to that, however, is that you should have already attained a bachelors degree prior to getting your ADN. The reason for this is that you will have already met all the requirements for undergrad education prior to entry into an MSN program. You might have to take additional coursework to completely qualify for entry into the MSN program but that is a far cry from having to complete an RN to BSN to MSN bridge program.

In my case, I already have a prior bachelors degree with most of the requirements met for entry into MSN program. About the only things that I lack for entry into an MSN program is certain specific prerequisites. In my case, I have done the math, so to speak and it would require me to take just 4 classes in order for me to be considered a viable candidate for entry into their MSN program. That, of course, is after I finish my ADN program and pass the NCLEX.

For someone who does not have a prior bachelors, the bridge force that would have to be done would be one that provides you with sufficient undergraduate education to be able to thrive in an MSN program. Essentially, you go from ADN to BSN to MSN and they may or may not award you a BSN along the way.

Every program is different, check the programs for what they specifically required for entry into their program. You might be lucky and find out that they do not require a bachelors degreeā€¦ Then again you might be unlucky and find out that is exactly what they do require.

The school that offers it in my area does it in 3 years but you go every other week 3 days a week. It is also expensive and only the leadership and educator MSNs are offered. The NP and the anesthetist routes are traditional or certificate for those who already have a MSN. The way the school does it is they eliminate a year off of the RN to BSN. If you fail, you do not earn a BSN. There are about six classes that overlap with the BSN and the rest are graduate-level. If someone went the traditional route, it would be 2 years for the RN to BSN and 2 years for the MSN. They tell you how many credits they save you but I forget the number.

+ Add a Comment