Marquette University MSN Direct Entry Fall 2013

jjbb · Feb 14, 2013

I'll ask her. She's always crazy busy, but that would be cool!

hopefulnurse24 · Feb 14, 2013

Awesome, can you private message? I would really like to get in contact with a fellow Floridian who moved to Wisconsin! It would be so helpful, especially since we went to the same undergrad!

AlmondB10 · Feb 14, 2013

Hello everyone! I was recently accepted into Marquette's DE-MSN program. I'm so grateful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to meeting everyone soon! :)

I do have reservations about the program and I'm hoping former/current students can answer questions for me. Is it difficult to find work without a BSN during the Master's phase? What is MU's NCLEX pass rate? Can you estimate the retention rate within the program? What is the social climate like (e.g. friendly/supportive, cold/competitive)? I'm moving from upstate NY and don't know many people in Milwaukee (apart from a few relatives), so I'm wondering, would you say it's easy to make friends through the program/in Milwaukee? I know everyone's financial situation is different...but do you feel confident that you'll be able to make up lost income spent in the program with the advanced degree?

hopefulnurse24 · Feb 14, 2013

AlmondB, you and I have the same reservations! Especially the one about not having a BSN. What is your specialty?

AlmondB10 · Feb 15, 2013

Glad to hear I'm not alone! I'm almost certain I'll specialize in pediatric care. It may change as I gain more clinical experience during the first 15 month stage, but it's not likely. What's your specialty?

hopefulnurse24 · Feb 15, 2013

I'm pediatric acute care! What other schools did you apply to?

rainkissedleaves · Feb 15, 2013

This may be a stupid question but why does it matter if you don't get the BSN and simply get MSN? Wouldn't you become NP after you graduate? How does not having (or visa versa) having a BSN affect your job?

AlmondB10 · Feb 15, 2013

Hopefulnurse24 - That's great! I bet we'll have some of the same classes during the MSN phase. I also applied to University of Rochester, Johns Hopkins, University of Wisconsin, and George Washington. What about you? MU and UR are my top choices. What schools did you apply to?

Rainkissedleaves - I don't think it will make much of a difference once we graduate and obtain certification. I would feel more comfortable investing the time and money knowing I had a BSN to fall back on in case I face some unforeseeable emergency/challenge later on in the program where I'm unable to complete the degree. However, I know that even if that were to be the case I'd still have options. For me, a BSN would serve as a sort of security blanket since I've been told many hospitals prefer to hire BSNs. We do have the advantage of already holding an undergraduate degree, though.

hopefulnurse24 · Feb 15, 2013

Many hospitals want the BSN and it could prove to be difficult when looking for a bedside RN job. You need a bedside RN job before practicing as NP, especially if you want to be a great NP. It's imperative to work as an RN before working as an NP. And I know of one hospital that will only hire NPs with a BSN and an MSN.... so it could be a problem, but maybe not in Milwaukee where Marquette is a well-respected program.

AlmondB, why MU and UR over Johns Hopkins? I applied to Penn (waitlisted), and I am waiting to hear from Hopkins, Duke (invited to interview and will be going next week), and NYU. NYU is my last choice.

AlmondB10 · Feb 15, 2013

hopefulnurse24 - Johns Hopkins isn't my top choice due to tuition. Although the cost is listed as $77,000, I've heard students are quoted over $100,000 by financial aid. Unfortunately, I can't make that kind of investment for a BSN since my long term goal is to obtain an MSN. Marquette would be my absolute top choice if they awarded a BSN for the 15 month portion of the program. I've chosen Marquette for a few reasons, including: it's excellent reputation for training highly skilled nurses, location, cost for an advanced degree, and my professional goals and values. University of Rochester is a top choice for similar reasons and also because I'm currently enrolled in a different MS program here (leaving to pursue nursing degree). What is your top choice?

hopefulnurse24 · Feb 15, 2013

My top choice is Duke for many reasons, but I would be happy at Marquette, Duke or JHU. Duke is expensive but has a great loan repayment option (around $50,000 if you work for Duke Hospital and the Duke graduates have no difficulty getting jobs at Duke Hospital), the PNP-AC program also allows you to sit for the NNP exam (so I would be more marketable), the cost of living is not high at all in Durham, it's driving distance to my hometown (around 10 hours), and it's a great program with an amazing reputation.

Did you apply for any scholarships at JHU? I understand what you're saying about cost! It's very high, and Baltimore is expensive (and kind of scary). MU is not that expensive, especially for a private school... but they only offer loans, no financial aid in the form of grants or scholarship.

rainkissedleaves · Feb 15, 2013

I called Rochester and the lady said when applying for jobs as a NP, you already have a bachelors. Some programs have BSN and others integrate it in their masters program. But she was confused as to why it would be so important for a NP to get a job when she's a NP.

And that's where I am confused. I was planning on doing part time school after I get my license (RN) So I could get the RN experience and also be at school pursing my masters.

The NP that I shadowed told me she did the the direct entry program as well and without any experience as a RN she directly applied for the NP job and got it. I understand it depends on location and the hospital as well....