Hello all!

This is my first post, so please bear with me

I just recently graduated with a BA in anthropology. When I initially started college I was a pre-nursing major.. during the first two and a half years I finished all the prereq's required for entry into the bsn program (at SDSU). I won't go into the reasons for why I switched, but now since I'm done with undergrad I'm planning on going back into nursing.


I have a few questions:
For a person like me (I already have the prereq's down, about 30 hours of volunteer time and with a 3.3gpa), and :hoping: that I'll be qualified (enough) so I could start applying for programs next year (fall 2010), are there any accelerated/direct msn programs you would recommend? I'm checking out programs in CA, OR, WA, NM, AZ, CO, and HI...

Would those who have gone through this or currently going through this consider me "qualified enough?" (petty, I know, but I don't know who else I'd be going up against).


In general, is there any advice or suggestions you could give me on making this transition? Any possible ways to get more patient care experience?


I'll take any response! Thanks for your time, hope this isn't too confusing...

I certainly am no authority, but I have looked around a little myself for MSN programs, since I already have 2 Bachelors degrees. Most of the ones I found want a BSN. Those that don't, at least want you to be an RN first. You could get your RN without taking the extra stuff for the BSN, then apply for the MSN programs. I didn't research online MSN's, just "brick and mortar."

I believe you at least have to be an RN first before you can apply. Most programs are either RN with a Bachelor's in another field(RN to MSN) or BSN to MSN.

Sounds like you'd be a good fit for a Direct Entry Master's program (for students with a bachelor's in a field other than nursing). Here's a website that lists a handful of programs throughout the US: http://www.allnursingschools.com/fea...celerated-msn/. Some of these programs grant both a BSN and an MSN degree. Others will prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN first and then move on to the advanced practice curriculum with only an MSN at the end.

I wouldn't call it a complete list because they completely left out Massachusetts which has at least 5 schools with a Direct Entry MSN program. I'll be entering the MGH program in the fall.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by natty553

Would those who have gone through this or currently going through this consider me "qualified enough?" (petty, I know, but I don't know who else I'd be going up against).

I'm in a DEMSN program and, honestly, I'm not sure that you'd be very competitive for admission to our program. While I don't know the details of everybody's grades and experience, it's a pretty accomplished group of folks and the ones I've talked to about it have GPAs upwards of 3.8, several are bilingual, a couple are published, three have another masters degree, one has a professional license, and most have significant professional work experience.

As a newly minted BA with a 3.3 GPA, I don't think you'd get into our program unless you've got some really compelling skills or experience to go along with that.

Let me be clear, though. I'm not saying that you're unqualified because if you've got the brains, study skills, and tenacity to earn a BA then you've got more than enough firepower to get through nursing school. I am, however, saying that you're not very competitive based on the teeny bit of information that you've provided.

Originally Posted by juliewoo

Sounds like you'd be a good fit for a Direct Entry Master's program (for students with a bachelor's in a field other than nursing). Here's a website that lists a handful of programs throughout the US: http://www.allnursingschools.com/fea...celerated-msn/. Some of these programs grant both a BSN and an MSN degree. Others will prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN first and then move on to the advanced practice curriculum with only an MSN at the end.

I wouldn't call it a complete list because they completely left out Massachusetts which has at least 5 schools with a Direct Entry MSN program. I'll be entering the MGH program in the fall.

Good luck!

Check out the following link for accelerated programs (DEMSN and 2nd BS) around the country; it's from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and is as comprehensive a list as you'll find: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactS...eratedProg.htm

Hey thanks a lot, I really appreciate all of your feedback.

I guess my next question would be what can I do to get up to that level? Such as programs, activities, etc... I'm planning on going back into volunteering, and also possibly doing phlebotomy or emt-b training, whichever would be more of a help getting in. Have any recommendations? My dream would be doing work in areas outside of the "complete" hospital setting, expeditions/adventures, MSF-type work, things of that nature...

Out of curiosity, ♪♫ in my ♥, what DEMSN program are you in?

If you live in San Diego, look at USD MEPN program, sign up for one of their information seminars. This program is for people just like you (and me), non-medical degrees who want to become a nurse. I start in August, I had a 3.3 undergraduate GPA, so I was right there with you.

It is expensive, but worth the cost to me to finish and get my MSN in 2 years...versus the cost of something like ADN to BSN to MSN...and the school overall is excellent. Also with many other programs in San Diego, there are long waiting periods, versus this program. Plus you probably have all your pre-reqs done as is.

If you have any questions, let me know

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ♪♫ in my ♥

Check out the following link for accelerated programs (DEMSN and 2nd BS) around the country; it's from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and is as comprehensive a list as you'll find: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactS...eratedProg.htm

thank you so much for the list! i've been looking for something just like that!

Thanks for the links!