Accelerated Masters?

Trauma Columnist · Oct 20, 2008

I guess I'm not understanding correctly: do you already have a masters in another field? If so, I could see how you might have the electives needed. However, if you have a BA and ADN, don't see that an accellerated MSN would be possible. BTW - have never heard of an accellerated MSN - are you referring to entry level MSN?

Thornbird · Oct 20, 2008

There's all sorts of different programs. There are programs for persons with a Bachelor's in a non-nursing field to take an acclerated program to get their RN and MSN without going backwards to get an Associate Degree. There are programs for RN's with or without BSN to get an acclerated MSN. Some MSN programs still require BSN. Some are online and some are combination of onine and on-campus. For an MSN, Nurse Practitioner clinicals are required.

Check websites for universities near you. You can do an internet search for the many online and partial online MSN programs.

interleukin · Oct 20, 2008

I guess I'm not understanding correctly: do you already have a masters in another field? If so, I could see how you might have the electives needed. However, if you have a BA and ADN, don't see that an accellerated MSN would be possible. BTW - have never heard of an accellerated MSN - are you referring to entry level MSN?

I'm not so sure there is not some new hybrid form of nursing online education which would confer such a degree. Online ed is where schools want to be. It's so much cheaper and easier for them.

Just look at Phoenix. They target schools that are having financial trouble and then, for a couple million, they then affiliate their online program with the campus. I contacted them once and then, despite my having told them I was ultimately not interested, they persisted in contacting me for months.

I am just not an advocate of online courses, unless the actual learning is not a top priority. I've taken some, have seen others take some and, invariably, the experience is not one of quality.

The way nursing is so fragmented in its requirements and degree programs, I wouldn't be surprised, although I , too, am not aware of this at this time.

(Yeah, I'm a little cynical about the nursing education system)

Team Player · Oct 20, 2008

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies. I currently have a degree in journalism. For this reason, my counselor told me, I could take accelerated masters program online to achieve my masters degree in nursing. Instead of going back to a university to achieve my bachelors in nursing THEN my masters, I could skip the bachelors and get striaght to my masters. I'm concerned about the perceived value of an on-line masters. I'm thinking about teaching in my older age. Am I going to be passed over for oppertunities because I don't have a "real masters degree?" I'm wondering if anyone has encountered problems in job advancement due to an "on-line masters?" Thanks for your time!

CHATSDALE · Oct 20, 2008

check with the direct entry masters degree program

i was of the opinion that you had to have a degree in science or chemistry but that may not be the case

what kind of program do they for clinicals??

ivestigate the program completely before spending any money or time

UVA Grad Nursing · Oct 20, 2008

There are a number of direct-entry Masters programs, but I am not aware of any that are online. Nursing is a clinical discipline, and the nursing education model is based on clinical or precepted learning.

My program offers a direct-entry MSN (Clinical Nurse Leader) for those with an undergradaute degree in a non-nursing area. We have enrolled inviduals from a variety of backgrounds (engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts, etc). Our own program is precepted 100% (all clinical instruction is 1:1 -- with over 1000 hours with a preceptor) and takes 24 months to complete.

The Clinical Nurse Leader is a generalist MSN -- not specialty based. We have had great outcomes from the program (the NCLEX pass rate is 100%), and many grads have presented posters at national nursing conferences in their first year of practice. Most have become employed at Magnet institutions.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 21, 2008

Thanks for the update and the info everyone. I think this gives food for thought.

As to the online MSN, I did do an MSN (management and leadership) nonclinical at University of Phoenix. Have had no problem getting a job based on this degree. However, when I chose to do a post-MSN advanced practice nurse, I went to a combined online/brick and mortar course. Again, fit the bill for me and I have not had any problem having this accepted either.

My basic nursing; both LPN and ADN were in traditional colleges but this was before computers - we wrote on stone slates - lol.