Accelerated Masters with no Nursing background

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello,

just wanted to see if anyone has taken this path and how it worked out.

My undergrad is Biomedical Engineering. I would have to take some of the prereqs.

Once I have a masters, would I be able to bypass bedside nursing? Due to an old foot injury, I would be unable to be a bedside nurse safely-for myself.

Thanks for for any input!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Roser13,

These "non-nurse nurses" are hired, and in large numbers, by cheap physicians who do not want to negotiate higher salary/benefits, as well as by, for example, public health departments to do what is named in medical sphere as "scutwork".

It is another thing that many of them remain on the level "not knowing what they do not know" forever, paid 1/3 less of what they would make under other circumstances, get $60000/year with $120000 college debt, etc. But the question of "no jobs for those who never did bedside", as well as "no jobs for grads of online-only programs" can be very different depending on region, place and circumstances.

Oh stop! You make it sound so enticing!

Have you looked at any OT masters program? An OT career might be a good fit with your biomedical engineering background. It's possible to work as a clinical OT with an old foot injury, as OTs can do a lot of their assessments and therapies while they are in the seated position.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
How could you ever be a nurse without undergoing clinicals - which are bedside?

What experience will you draw on to bolster your advanced practice nursing degree? You can't be advanced anything without being the basic version first.

I continue to be amazed by the number of folks who want to *be* a nurse without actually, you know, *being* a nurse.

It doesn't amaze me...it terrifies me.

Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

You cannot bypass it, nor should you

Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.
How could you ever be a nurse without undergoing clinicals - which are bedside?

What experience will you draw on to bolster your advanced practice nursing degree? You can't be advanced anything without being the basic version first.

I continue to be amazed by the number of folks who want to *be* a nurse without actually, you know, *being* a nurse.

Yeah, what the heck?😉

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Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.

I learned in Economics a thing called Sayes' Law: Supply creates its own demand.

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More experience is always better, but honestly I doubt it is wholly necessary. Even with so many of these online programs and a growing number of direct entry programs that allow people with no previous nursing experience to enroll, the data remains the same. The qualitative difference between NP and MD's are nonexistent and this has remained consistent. I think it really speak volumes to the efficacy of MSN programs as well as the importance of on the job training and how you don't really even need nursing experience because the fact of the matter is that we are basically trained to function as independent MD's. And especially if you work in primary care, this shouldn't be a problem too big of a problem so long as you get some good years training working under an MD.

Let's face it. We all forgot a whole lot of stuff we learned from school. If medical students are not required to have previous clinical experience before enrolling and medical schools still churn out solid providers, there is no reason MSN program's can't do the same, especailly knowing how critical Residency is for doctors to actually learn how to practice and how important on the job training is for NP's.

All the nurses over here complaining about how you absolutely need previous nursing experience are overemphasizing the importance of previous experience as an RN.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
More experience is always better, but honestly I doubt it is wholly necessary. Even with so many of these online programs and a growing number of direct entry programs that allow people with no previous nursing experience to enroll, the data remains the same. The qualitative difference between NP and MD's are nonexistent and this has remained consistent. I think it really speak volumes to the efficacy of MSN programs as well as the importance of on the job training and how you don't really even need nursing experience because the fact of the matter is that we are basically trained to function as independent MD's. And especially if you work in primary care, this shouldn't be a problem too big of a problem so long as you get some good years training working under an MD.

Let's face it. We all forgot a whole lot of stuff we learned from school. If medical students are not required to have previous clinical experience before enrolling and medical schools still churn out solid providers, there is no reason MSN program's can't do the same, especailly knowing how critical Residency is for doctors to actually learn how to practice and how important on the job training is for NP's.

All the nurses over here complaining about how you absolutely need previous nursing experience are overemphasizing the importance of previous experience as an RN.

WRONG. Illogical argument.

Nursing education cannot remotely be compared to MD education. MD education includes internship, residency, & Fellowship programs that provide practical experience. Take practical experience away from either a nurse or a doctor and you're left with a half-baked, book-smart, incompetent provider.

I think a nursing + biomedical engineering degree would be an awesome combination! I also completed a direct-entry program--the first year was intense hospital-clinical-bedside nursing, but after that we all went into our respective specialties and clinical changed significantly. I worked in several primary care offices and a hospital clinic...also did about one month of home care. It really varied. My suggestion is to contact the school(s) you are most interested in to discuss your injury and limitations and determine what would be possible. Most of my classmates had jobs lined up prior to graduation and most seem to make upwards of 90K as NPs. That said alot depends on the region and specialty. I will say that the majority of us borrowed significant $$$$, however I really don't have any regrets.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I continue to be amazed by the number of folks who want to *be* a nurse without actually, you know, *being* a nurse.

And what is "being a nurse"? Nurses fill many roles from bedside roles to advanced practice roles to administrative roles. The OP never mentioned not wanting to "be a nurse" just not wanting to be at the bedside for her career. Is it really that amazing that there are people interested in the myraid of other roles in nursing?

WRONG. Illogical argument.

Nursing education cannot remotely be compared to MD education. MD education includes internship, residency, & Fellowship programs that provide practical experience. Take practical experience away from either a nurse or a doctor and you're left with a half-baked, book-smart, incompetent provider.

There is anecdotal evidence and then there is evidenced based data and the evidence based data says NP education produces equivalent providers to MD education, even with all of the online programs and lack of formalized training. These are the facts whether you believe it or not.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
WRONG. Illogical argument.

Nursing education cannot remotely be compared to MD education. MD education includes internship, residency, & Fellowship programs that provide practical experience. Take practical experience away from either a nurse or a doctor and you're left with a half-baked, book-smart, incompetent provider.

It's not really an illogical argument at all. The PP was discussing the provider role of APNs compared to MD/DOs. I think we all agree that practical experience is important, but ion the role you are functioning in not a different role. Do medical students need practical experience as nurses or aides or EMTs or techs prior to entering their residency programs?

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