ABSN/Entry Level Masters

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Hi All,

I'm hoping to get some insight from those that have already gone through the second degree/ entry level masters programs. Feel free to move this to another thread if needed. :)

Here's a little about myself: I'm a third year undergraduate at a UC pursuing a double major in Neurobiology (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.). I have an overall GPA of ~3.55, with an anticipated pre-req GPA of ~3.7. I plan on applying to nursing programs in the fall of 2015. I am currently working as an undergraduate research assistant in a psychology lab. I have volunteered with the pediatrics department, and am currently a volunteer in the ER and Med-Surg department at the local hospital. I also volunteer at the local homeless shelter and I have also spent two weeks abroad in Vietnam on a medical mission, providing free clinical services to underserved areas.

I'm leaning towards going straight into the master's program, but have heard that it will be more difficult in finding jobs. Are there any disadvantages in getting an MSN without a BSN?

I'm looking to apply to duel programs, including Johns Hopkins, UPenn, and Columbia, as well as direct entry masters, including UCSF, Western University, and Samuel Merritt. What other programs have a duel ABSN/MSN program?

Also, what are my chances of getting into these schools? For those accepted, a rough estimate of stats +any suggestions on strengthening my application would be nice :)

Thanks in advance!!!

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

"Have heard" from who? You will get a job if you are hard worker and keep at it. I have ABSN and where I want to school you could go straight through to doctorate. I think three people from my class did that. Everyone i stayed in touch with (this was 2006) is working. If you want ivy league or whatever that is fine just make sure you can afford it and the cost of living in places like Maryland, NYC, etc is hella expensive. I went ot school in Northern VA right near DC and it cost me as much to live there as school did. Look at cost of living as well. If you are going for more than the quick BSN you will be living in the area a long time. Also unless you are more hardcore than anyone I know you won't be working when taking 21 hours of nursing school a semester. So...just look at the entire picture. If I did it over I would have gone to like Univ. of Wyoming, Creighton (Omaha), Marquette..etc,,,places with much lower costs of living.

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

My husband works for a hospital that will not accept direct entry MSN nurses because they do not have their BSN. It does not matter that they sit for the NCLEX, they lack a BSN. I do not know how common that is, but I know that it *can* be an issue. I think you would just have to research the requirements of the hospitals/facilities you are interested in working in before deciding what to do.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

So they wont hire someone with an active nursing license? Is that written policy? I have never heard of that because you can have an associates or bsn but really the main thing is active nursing license. I work with multiple nurses with msn and they have no issues. That is bizarre.

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

Right?? It is a policy that has been put in place by the CNO. Completely bizarre. We have one (extremely well respected) university here that attempted to do a direct entry master's program that just graduated its last group of the students. My understanding (hearsay) is they stopped the program because of some of the hiring issues faced by their grads due to lack of BSN. Again, hearsay. But given this hospital's refusal to hire direct entry MSN's, it makes some sense.

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There are several programs that grant both degrees but overall its not a major problem. I have heard of it happening, rarely, but honestly you could just apply to program that grant both degrees, with your academic history I think you'll be fine being accepted as well. If you have the experience volunteering and good letters of recommendation. Columbia, MGH, Northeastern, and Johns Hopkins are all schools that I successfully applied to that grant both degrees and I'm certain there are more!

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AH thanks so much for the list of schools that grant both degrees! So helpful! &Thank you everyone else for your input. I guess I'll be doing a lot of research this summer!

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