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Thinking about graduate school



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Aug 31, 2009 11:45 AM

Thinking about graduate school

by skazka

Hello all!
I live in Tampa Bay, Florida. Currently I am finishing RN program, will get an associate degree in nursing. I also have a bachelor/master degree in another field. It is a joint degree. My GPA for that degree was not high (about 2.9 or something like that for the whole program). My GPA in a nursing school is 3.7 so far and I hope it will stay the same.

I am thinking about graduate school after graduation from RN program. Not right after, but one day. Preferably, I would like to go to school in my area or within driving distance (I consider Orlando also). Is there any site listing all graduate nursing schools in certain areas? that would be helpful in my search.
I also would like (if it is possible ) to use my first bachelor degree. Do you think I have a chance to get into ANY graduate school with my GPAs?
I am very interested in RN(associate degree+Bachelor in another field) to Master degree in nursing programs. Again, is there any site where I can search for RN-to-MSN program? I found one at USF in Tampa. But their specializations are limited.

As for Master specialization, I am thinking about CRNA. But I have not found any school offering RN-to-CRNA program. Are there any programs like that? Does it mean I need to get BSN first and then CRNA? My choice is not just limited to CRNA (though I like this field the most), but any RN-MSN program in my area.


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5 Comments
No. 1
Old Aug 31, 2009, 11:53 AM

Default Re: Thinking about graduate school
You should look at this website. www.allnursingschools.com

There will be a list of what you are looking for, including online programs. Hope this helps.
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No. 2
from skazka
Old Aug 31, 2009, 12:00 PM

Default Re: Thinking about graduate school
Originally Posted by canadiangradschoolrn View Post
You should look at this website. www.allnursingschools.com

There will be a list of what you are looking for, including online programs. Hope this helps.
Thanks! I will look at this!


Are there any students like me, who got their RN and bachelor in another field and now go to graduate school? COuld you write what schools do you go to and if it is online/on campus/ or other?
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No. 3
from elkpark
Old Aug 31, 2009, 12:48 PM

Default Re: Thinking about graduate school
I would strongly encourage you to spend some time working in nursing (a year or two, at least) before making any decisions about grad school. Most people don't realize until they're in nursing what a wide range of options are available, and it takes a while to start to get a feel for how the larger world of nursing works and where your strongest interests lie over time. Most graduate degrees in nursing lock you into a particular career role/path, and I have known quite a few people who "rushed" into graduate school only to find, after they were out of grad school and working, that they didn't particularly enjoy or want to do what their graduate degree had prepared them to do -- and now they're stuck with a graduate degree and career path they don't particularly want (plus paying back the student loans!), and they're casting about for what they really want to do.

You will spend an awful lot of time, $$$, and effort on any graduate degree in nursing -- please, for your own sake, put in the time and effort up front to be sure you're getting a degree you actually want, that will get you what you want professionally. What seems to work best for people is to first figure out what you want to do with your career (what do you want to be doing, most of the day, most days, for most of the rest of your life?). and then look into what degree(s) you need to get you there.

CRNA programs require that you have at least a year's ICU experience (full-time) to be eligible, and the bare minimum of experience won't make you a particularly competitive candidate (the programs are extremely competitive, and there are lots of candidates with many years clinical experience applying -- of course, that's not the only factor schools consider.) So, If you're thinking CRNA, your first step (after licensure) would be to work on getting an ICU position. Some programs require a BSN; some will take RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other subjects but, I believe (I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that "other" degrees they accept are usually hard science degrees (chemistry, biology, etc.)
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No. 4
from skazka
Old Aug 31, 2009, 01:49 PM

Default Re: Thinking about graduate school
Originally Posted by elkpark View Post
I would strongly encourage you to spend some time working in nursing (a year or two, at least) before making any decisions about grad school. Most people don't realize until they're in nursing what a wide range of options are available, and it takes a while to start to get a feel for how the larger world of nursing works and where your strongest interests lie over time. Most graduate degrees in nursing lock you into a particular career role/path, and I have known quite a few people who "rushed" into graduate school only to find, after they were out of grad school and working, that they didn't particularly enjoy or want to do what their graduate degree had prepared them to do -- and now they're stuck with a graduate degree and career path they don't particularly want (plus paying back the student loans!), and they're casting about for what they really want to do.

You will spend an awful lot of time, $$$, and effort on any graduate degree in nursing -- please, for your own sake, put in the time and effort up front to be sure you're getting a degree you actually want, that will get you what you want professionally. What seems to work best for people is to first figure out what you want to do with your career (what do you want to be doing, most of the day, most days, for most of the rest of your life?). and then look into what degree(s) you need to get you there.

CRNA programs require that you have at least a year's ICU experience (full-time) to be eligible, and the bare minimum of experience won't make you a particularly competitive candidate (the programs are extremely competitive, and there are lots of candidates with many years clinical experience applying -- of course, that's not the only factor schools consider.) So, If you're thinking CRNA, your first step (after licensure) would be to work on getting an ICU position. Some programs require a BSN; some will take RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other subjects but, I believe (I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that "other" degrees they accept are usually hard science degrees (chemistry, biology, etc.)
Thanks for your post. Yes, I know CRNA programs requirements (ICU experience, GRE, High GPA, etc). I can imagine how competitive they are. And as I wrote I am considering graduate school not right now, but in several years. I just want to look what schools are available in my area, what specializations, etc. because having a family it is very hard for all us to relocate to other areas. Though it is also possible. Thanks for your words. I will take them into consideration
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No. 5
Old Aug 31, 2009, 07:15 PM

Default Re: Thinking about graduate school
One caveat about allnursingschools.com -- it is not an inclusive list of nursing programs. It is a commercial site and all the schools listed have paid an advertising rate to be listed.

My University is no longer listed there. The fee to be listed was nearly $5000/year to be listed under a state, and more to be listed as an online program. I'd rather spend money for student scholarships that to be listed in an online advertising list.

A better option would be to go to www.nlnac.org or to http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE/reports/accprog.asp and see a list of accredited programs in your state. This will be a full list of programs (and not just those with advertising budgets).
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