Accelerated MSN Programs

merky · Feb 8, 2009

I am in the same boat as you but have come across some negatives when it comes to accelerated programs. In a nutshell, we do not have enought clinical experience in make us competent clinicans upon graduation, and #2 accelerated programs are not necessarily set up to give us a wealth of clinical experience. I've been accepted to Jefferson in Philly but am hesitant of what I/we will face as fresh NP grads! Let me know what you find, I'm looking for the silver lining to this!

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Feb 8, 2009

DePaul's program kicks you out after two years with your RN, a generalist MSN, and half the coursework done to be pretty much any sort of advanced practice nurse. Also, since it takes two years to do all that, only the classroom portion is accelerated, not the clinicals.

CharmedJ7 · Feb 8, 2009

It's worth reading through this thread for insight on this:

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/becoming-np-little-193372.html

It's quite a heated debate it seems. While in New Haven to interview for Yale's GEPN program, I randomly got to talking with a FNP - it was interesting, she was very against programs like that due to poor experiences with grads of them being too uncertain. Generally, you'll find a lot of anecdotal experience on both sides and little concrete data, so there's no definite right or wrong route, it's ultimately going to depend on you.

CharmedJ7 · Feb 8, 2009

It's worth reading through this thread for insight on this:

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/becoming-np-little-193372.html

It's quite a heated debate it seems. While in New Haven to interview for Yale's GEPN program, I randomly got to talking with a FNP - it was interesting, she was very against programs like that due to poor experiences with grads of them being too uncertain. Generally, you'll find a lot of anecdotal experience on both sides and little concrete data, so there's no definite right or wrong route, it's ultimately going to depend on you. Know that there is hostility out there, whether you run into it or not, and that it may limit your options internationally. Whether or not you'll feel ready after graduating, it's hard to say, I suspect everyone feels it's 'too soon' to be thrust out into the real world whether you were an RN first or no.

If you do go for it, two programs I can think of off the top of my head that give the BSN and MSN are John Hopkins and Columbia. A list, not entirely comprehensive, of accelerated BSN programs can be found here: http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/second-degree-bsn/

Good luck!

UVA Grad Nursing · Feb 8, 2009

There are a number of Accelerated BSN and Direct Entry MSN programs. A more inclusive list of each can be found on the website of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/BSNNCG.pdf

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/GENMAS.pdf

These lists reflect the national census of programs conducted a year ago. These lists are 12 months out of date, but you might want to enroll into a program that has been around at least a year.

JustJane2008 · Feb 12, 2009

Thanks! Its not the most up-to-date, but youre right--more established programs are prob better.

This will greatly help for my current, and next round of applications.

AntonellaB · Feb 13, 2009

Hello,

Could anyone answer a question for me? A number of universitites offer accelerated RN to MSN online for Nurse Educator, Health Management, etc. Does it really matter if they are accredited by the National League of Nursing? If anyone is enrolled in some of these universitites could you tell me if there is a problem to find a job afterwards or simply to say:does employers recognize these degrees from online universities? I am interested in Nursing Education/Research. I have looked at some of those universities and they do not require GRE as long as the student maintains a GPA of 3.0-3.2.

Could anyone help me with an answer?

Thanks.

UVA Grad Nursing · Feb 13, 2009

Antonella:

I have a two part response to your posting.

1. Employment. Some employers do not care where you obtained your degree, but some do. I am aware of several employers that will not hire new grads from schools that are graduates of unaccredited programs, and other employers that will not recognize an unaccredited degree for promotion or a raise. It would be as if you obtained a Masters in French Literature --- good for your mind, but have no weight on your job.

2. The bigger problem arises if you think you might want to go further one day (in terms of a doctoral degree or a post-masters certificate in another subject). This new school (a doctoral program, a post-masters program, etc) would not recognize a degree from an unaccredited program. So you might have to get a MSN all over again from an accredited program this time.

starla76 · Feb 18, 2009

Hi there. I thought I would put my two cents in regarding the accelerated MSN programs. I am about to graduate as an FNP from Boston College's Master's Entry program. I went full-time and did not work as a nurse beforehand. I was actually in the fine arts prior to this so my health care experience was pretty much non-existent. Let me try to sum up how I feel about my experience thus far.

This is the hardest work I have ever done in school (and I already have a masters degree), so prepare yourself. It is fun and exciting, but they don't call it accelerated for nothing! If you stay committed to studying and find time for some R and R, you will be fine.

Don't worry about the NCLEX. My whole class passed. These programs prepare you well.

About the "working as a nurse first" debate: This is a valid argument and one that always causes emotional discussions no matter where you go. I think that having RN experience is very helpful, but not necessary. I base this observation on the fact that I am in classes with many experienced RNs who feel as anxious and "new" as I do. The reason is because being a primary care NP is a totally different job than working as a bedside nurse, or most other RN positions for that matter. This being said, many student still prefer to work as RNs first and this is a personal choice. But also keep in mind that classmates of mine who decided to go this route are having an extremely hard time finding RN jobs. In the Boston area at least, its easier to get hired as a new NP than a new RN.

Also, to all the new direct entry students who will start this fall or anyone considering this route, know that you will be criticized harshly and frequently for the way you have chosen to become an NP. And this can come from both doctors and nurses. Just remember to be proud of your accomplishments and don't let the negativity get you down. There are plenty of supportive clinicians out there too who are happy to teach you. And of course, never disrespect the bedside nurse. They are an essential part of the health care system. NPs are not superior, just different.

Finally, a question I had when I started all of this years ago: Do you feel ready to practice as an NP? Its Feb now and the answer is no. BUT, I feel just a little better than I did the month before. Yes, I am very anxious about being on my own but what new clinician isn't. I will say that I wish I had another 6 months at least to work as a student NP before going out there, but that's not an option for most of these programs. I see how other grads have done and they have faired well. I have faith that BC chose wisely in us and that I posses, at the very least, the sense to know when I need to look something up or ask. Based on how I feel now, I think my first year will be very tough. I anticipate that I will be up nights worrying about a prescription I wrote or an exam I did, but I know that the learning will be exponential.

That's enough for now! Congrats to all the new students on their acceptances. If anyone has any other questions about BC's ME program or anything else, don't hesitate to ask.

allnurses Guide · Feb 18, 2009

I am also in the BC program and will graduate with Starla76 in May. I completely agree with everything she said. Be prepared to worker harder than you ever have in school, and be willing to do some work on your own outside of your school assignments. I think one of the most valuable things I've learned in the program is how to think critically. I don't have all the diseases and drugs committed to memory, but I do know how to logically synthesize the info and then find the answers I need. I'm not ready to go off and practice now, but I think I will be ready for a primary care NP position in a few months. The first year will be extremely challenging, but I'm up for it. The key is finding the right first job in a supportive and professional environment. Be prepared for people's often negative opinions about DE programs, but don't let this discourage you. Let your performance and professionalism speak for themselves. We may take a different path to arrive at the same destination, but it's not better or worse than what someone else may have chosen.

Good luck in whatever path you choose.

jenpin · Apr 13, 2011

Hello,

I am so relieved to have found this blog and specifically, this posting. I am currently a Biological Scientist doing Pre-clinical Alzheimer's Disease research (note PRE-clinical, not human). I am wanting to start an Accelerated Nursing program, but am having problems deciding if a MSN or BSN would be a better choice.

I would like to eventually either be a Nurse Practitioner or a research nurse. However, I am terrified of more college debt, so I wouldn't mind working as what I believe you guys are terming as a "bedside nurse" and taking classes online during that time to get where I want to be.

Since I don't really know much about the system yet, I was hoping someone could help me decide what would be a more feasible option.

Thanks so much :)