accelerated bsn or entry level msn

menowhat2do · Mar 20, 2011

Hello,
I'm new to this I have a couple of questions. okay so I'm currently getting my B.A. in dance and I went this path because I've always have a love for dance and wanted to get a degree on it, its more of a self achievement rather than making a career out of it, BUT I wanted nursing to be my career. My main goal is to be a Pediatric NP.
So I have two plans..
one is..
After I graduate I'm planning to go to Concordia University in Irvine for their 1 year Acc-BSN program..is there anyone who goes there and any tips.. how it works, how much it cost and stuff like that?
and after that, I want to get my Pediatric NP certificate at CSULB and if so how long will that take?
second is..
should I just enter CSULB MEPN program concentrating on Pediatric NP? if so how long will that take? and if so..any one doing this program? any tips or advise on how to get in..and stuff like that
I'm just trying to see how long it will take me to be an Pediatric NP..and if so which route will be faster?
Thanks in advance.

hi!

I too was researching this. although the Cal state long beach has direct entry to the nurse practitioner after 18 months of getting your Masters in nursing. it'll take another 22 months to become a NP. give or take 4 years (that's a long time ) so I hope you know what you're getting into. do as much shadowing . beg the hospital to let you look into what they do . you will have NO time for working all those 4 years so you'll have to take out big loans or have real generous parents so I emphasize that you really investigate what you'll get yourself into.

for the accelerated program at concordia irvine, it says that it is 550 $ per unit, not including supplies, fees, etc etc . seems rather expensive since it's private uni. http://www.cui.edu/academicprograms/nursing/fa.aspx

cal state long beach also has an accelerated bsa/bsn program so you might want to look into that.

I would suggest you just get your BSN ---only 1 year of commitment for you to decide if it's not for you. what if you want to change areas of working. you cannot do what as a nurse practitioner. you have to really know what you want. either way, I wish you lots of luck:) oh also, they have this new thing that NP are recommended to have "doctorate " degrees by 2015. so you'll be competing with those Nps with doctorates of np I say just stick with the BSN , get some experience and if you still want to become a NP, then go for you doctorate ..

there is a BSN-doctorate in NP

http://www.sandiego.edu/academics/nursing/bsn_dnp.php

so expect more of these programs in many other schools by 2015.

by the way, have you gotten the prerequisites out for the nursing programs?

VinoLover2030 · Mar 20, 2011

I dont know all the details of your situation but for the most part you generally do 4 years for BSN and another 2 -3 years depending on your specialty for your Masters degree(which would be your NP)Different programs have specs for what is required as far as having a bachelors in a non nursing degree. Your best bet is to call schools you want to attend and check personally what they offer as far as nursing programs

noahsmama · Mar 20, 2011

I assume that the CSULB website would give info on how long their MEPN program takes. In all entry level MSN programs, you earn the RN first, in the first 12 to 18 months of the program -- you then have to pass NCLEX to finish the rest of the program. UCSF's entry level MSN program is a total of 3 years. Samuel Merritt University's program is 2.5 to 3 years, depending on whether you choose the case management track (shorter) or the NP track (longer).

Some entry level MSN programs are designed so that you can attend part time and work part time for the master portion of the program -- generally they expect you to work full time and not work during the RN portion of the program. I think generally the like you to work part time as an RN during the MSN portion of the program -- the RN experience is useful!

Be aware that if you choose an entry level MSN program and drop out after the RN portion, you may not have a BSN, even though you do have the RN (at least, that's true of UCSF).

I can see advantages and disadvantages of either route -- which is best really depends on what you want. Given that you want to be a PNP, maybe going straight to the MSN makes the most sense -- but if you're not 100% sure and think you might stop at RN, the ABSN program might make more sense.

Not sure if my ramblings are helpful -- good luck with whatever you decide!

delawaremalenurse · Mar 20, 2011

something else to consider....accelerated programs are usually 12 to 15 months AFTER you've been accepted. Meaning that you have to have all your pre-req's completed prior to matriculation into the program.

A degree in dance is nice but will not meet the pre-req requirements for an accelerated program (i.e. the accelerated program will be longer than just 12 or 15 months depending on how many pre-reqs are needed...since it's a dance major there will be quite a few).

allnurses Guide · Mar 21, 2011

I also want to add that you will need to do the same pre-reqs for the direct entry master's program. That could add another 2-3 years onto your timeline. You'll most likely need at least one semester each of general bio and chem, 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology, 1 semester of microbiology, and maybe a course in nutrition or psychology. Schools have different requirements. I'm going to assume that since you're just getting your BA you're still pretty young...forgive me if I'm mistaken, but if that's the case I would recommend getting your BSN first and working for bit before going for your NP. You might even be able to get your employer to pay for some of your NP program that way if you stay employed part-time. Also, as an RN/BSN you will have the option of going to school part time for your NP, which could make things easier for you financially if you can continue to work part time. Most direct entry programs require a full time commitment for at least the first year, and it's pretty tough to work at the same time. Now, that being said, I did go the direct entry route and went full time for the entire program. I worked about 14 hours per week during the program, because I had to, financially. It was tough, but I had an extremely understanding employer who let me change my schedule every semester. Nursing was a mid-life career change for me and I needed to finish and get back into the work force full time as soon as I could, and I knew my ultimate goal was to be a NP. That's why I chose the direct entry route. I'm not sure I would have made the same decision as a 20-something, not feeling the time crunch as I did as a 40-something!! I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide.

Jules A, MSN · Mar 21, 2011

I really don't "get" entry level masters programs. I know they are all the rage right now but how the heck can someone be a "master" at something with ZERO experience? :confused:

menowhat2do · Mar 21, 2011

I really don't "get" entry level masters programs. I know they are all the rage right now but how the heck can someone be a "master" at something with ZERO experience?

i'm not completely sure but maybe they get it while in the program. just as a nurse anesthetist had no prior experience in anesthesia gets a nurse anesthesia masters. it makes sense since physician assistant programs start at the masters as well. and it's only two years long, whereas an entry-level master nurse practitioner program is 4 years starting with 2 years of a nursing degree

prince27 · Mar 21, 2011

hello,

thank you everyone for replying, it was very helpful! I'm doing my pre-reqs now while i'm finishing dance major. I did not know csulb has an acc. bsn..that's really great! I wanted to go there, but didn't know if they had a acc. bsn! I first wanted to be a nurse anesthetist, that was my main goal but thought it would be too long. But I probably would consider that rather than the entry level msn. anyways..any more info is still helpful, and to those who helped THANK YOU!!!!! very much :) by the way how long is csulb accelerated bsn ?

allnurses Guide · Mar 22, 2011

I really don't "get" entry level masters programs. I know they are all the rage right now but how the heck can someone be a "master" at something with ZERO experience?

The same way you can get a masters in just about anything without having prior experience in that discipline. For example, I have a MBA, but never took a single business course as an undergrad. Both of my sisters have Masters in Information Technology, but one has a BS in marketing and the other has a BA in English. The title "master" is a little confusing....

menowhat2do · Mar 22, 2011

hello,
thank you everyone for replying, it was very helpful! I'm doing my pre-reqs now while i'm finishing dance major. I did not know csulb has an acc. bsn..that's really great! I wanted to go there, but didn't know if they had a acc. bsn! I first wanted to be a nurse anesthetist, that was my main goal but thought it would be too long. But I probably would consider that rather than the entry level msn. anyways..any more info is still helpful, and to those who helped THANK YOU!!!!! very much :) by the way how long is csulb accelerated bsn ?

never mind I was wrong about cal state long beach having an accelerated one. these are their options. sorry about that. ugh. it's going to be a long way to become a nurse [for me] oh well.

http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/nursing/programs/BasicTrimesterandAcceleratedProgram.htm

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 22, 2011

I would maybe add general psychology and then child development to your undergrad. These are pre-reqs for many nursing programs around me. Also, you may need 2 semesters of chemistry AND 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology--check the programs you are interested in. Did I read it's in California? You might also want to add some undergrad Spanish to that list--and I'm not trying to be funny or insulting to anyone. Even back in 2000 people that were fluent in Spanish got more "points" towards the entrance to nursing schools throughout the western US, and many jobs even "prefer" it.

And I cannot imagine a CRNA program that even considers students without at least a year in a serious ICU or trauma as an RN. Many masters programs consider your nursing experience as well as your GPA, etc...although some programs will let you go directly from Bachelors to RN to MSN through if the university is directly affiliated with a major hospital system (like Emory or Vandy)