RN to MSN...info needed!

Nurses Career Support

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Hi! I don't know if I'm posting this in the correct place, but I'm looking for advice for nurses that are already finished with school. I am starting my nursing program in January, and will graduate with my Associate's degree. I would like to pursue my Master's degree and become a Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant.

Could you tell me how to do that...do I just get my MSN or is it a specific "NP" program? I have read so much conflicting info...

Any info will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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A Nurse Practitioner has an MSN from an accredited NP program. You would have to complete your BSN in the middle, either in an RN to BSN program, or in an RN to MSN program. There are also a variety of different NP specialties from which one can choose.

A Physician's Assistant is an entirely different beast, and is a graduate of a Physician's Assistant Master's degree program. The prerequisites may not be fulfilled by your BSN.

http://www.oregonpa.org/Resources/Documents/PA_NPJaapa.pdf

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A Nurse Practitioner has an MSN from an accredited NP program. You would have to complete your BSN in the middle, either in an RN to BSN program, or in an RN to MSN program. There are also a variety of different NP specialties from which one can choose.

A Physician's Assistant is an entirely different beast, and is a graduate of a Physician's Assistant Master's degree program. The prerequisites may not be fulfilled by your BSN.

http://www.oregonpa.org/Resources/Documents/PA_NPJaapa.pdf

Thanks! I have found some 'online' schools that have an RN to MSN program...which would be ideal for me since I'll be working as I obtain my MSN but I have lots of research to do on them to see if any of them are accredited, etc. Also, do you know if employers (hospitals, dr offices, etc) steer away from hiring a nurse practitioner who got their RN to MSN online?

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