Its been a while since I have been on this website and I missed it! I have a question...I have already graduated from a 4 year institute with a BA in English. I am now enrolled in a CC to get my associates in Nursing. Once I get that degree I would like to get a job and then pursue my BSN. I was talking to a classmate last night and she said that theres no point for me to get a BSN because I already hold a Bachelors degree and that I should go for my MSN. Now is that true? Can I go from an Associates right into an MSN program if I hold a Bachelors degree in another field? I am so confused and I don't want to prolong my education so any advice will be extremely helpful.
Specializes in Step-down/tele, home care, corrections.
Nothing against any of the choices others have made, but for me, the choice was simple. I looked into diploma, ADN, BSN and direct-entry MSN programs. I already have a BS. My primary care provider graduated from a direct-entry MSN program, and the affiliated hospital wouldn't even consider him for a new hire - no experience! The diploma program in our state has a very good reputation, and is a difficult program with lots of clinical exposure. The BSN programs (I applied to and was accepted to several) cost $40k-$50k and with all the core course requirements, would have taken 4-5 years part-time.
The 5 hospital recruiters I talked to said it made no difference to them what preparation you had as long as you had the RN license for an initial, graduate nurse job. To advance up the ladder in management or administration, they all said that the BSN was a requirement, but the BS would probably be OK. The implication was that if they wanted to retain you for such a position, they would find a way!
My goal is to pursue an MSN, and maybe some form of CNS, but it's all in the future, for now. My best option seems to be to finish my ADN, pass the NCLEX and get a few years of med-surg experience. The RN-BSN programs do not require the same amount of "core courses", even though they are the same outfits that I applied to for the BSN program; plus the hospitals will generally help pay for most of it. However, I have found that this step may be unnecessary if I'm considering the MSN or DNP route. I'm also considering the Army Reserve as a way to get some great experience, which also will help pay for further education.
There is growing preference for the BSN as an entry level for RN; they typically have less clinical experience (quickly made up for on the job), and the NCLEX pass rates are a little lower (not enough to warrant using this as a criteria). The idea is to learn to think like a nurse, not to memorize a load of stuff everyone knows where to look up when they need it.
I have friends in all the different types of RN programs, and they're all smart people, and all will start in the same "type" of job when they graduate. Your options and desires may differ, so I only wanted to show things from my point of view.
I have a BA and an MA already and just got my Associates in Nursing --- I have done research into this area and you can go into a bridge program going towards your Masters -- there may be a few prereqs that usu you take at the BSN level, but you dont need the BSN to get to the MSN or NP route.
Yes depending on the program -- there are some bridge programs for RN's with degrees in other fields. Again, you may have to take some prereqs not covered with the Associates degree program, but you do not have to fully earn the BSN.
I have a BA in English, and worked as a teacher for while (loved it, but the school I was teaching at closed:o . I was enrolled at the local CC for their ADN program and ready to start clinicals when I found out about a local U that offered a program to people that already have a BA in some other field but want to get into nursing. It is 2 years (five semesters) of intense full-time course work and clinicals, but at the end (which is so close I can see it- JUNE 2!!!) I will have a generalist MSN and be eligible to sit for NCLEX ---a little more expensive, but the same amount of time. I don't think that I needed to start from the beggining and get experience first. After all, I already completed one degree, so the only portion left towards a BSN would have been the nursing classes- why not take 2 years of nursing classes towards an MSN -more bag for the buck! I have had 15 hours of class room time, averaged 3 clinical days per week, and written an awesome thesis. Plus I am doing 270 hours of one-on-one precepted time right now. I feel very prepared to be a safe, compentent nurse. Many people are confused about our program because they think it is for management, or some sort of advanced practice licensure- not so! As for me, I have had plenty of job offers for when I graduate- everything you would expect to be offered with an ADN or BSN. And I am only a few classes away from an Advanced Practice Degree if I decided to go back :roll
So is it possible to get a BSN or MSN without an ADN? Sure....all programs are different, as far as requirements, and what you do to get your degree, but as for my program- LOVE IT! and would highly recommend it to anyone:mad:
I am an RN (with an ADN) and a prev. B.S. in Biotechnology. I am planning on entering an MSN program this Fall and am not required to have a BSN to enter the program. There are certain General Education requirements, but I've taken them in my prev degree, so therefore no need for the BSN. It's an online school. I would suggest looking into it more and not waste time getting a BSN first.
May I inquire as to what school this is? I have been searching for *years* for an online MSN program that accepts RNs w/non-nursing degrees without requiring "bridge" BSN courses (read: extra money for the university). Would love to know about that special school out there!
I will have a generalist MSN and be eligible to sit for NCLEX ---a little more expensive, but the same amount of time. I don't think that I needed to start from the beggining and get experience first. After all, I already completed one degree, so the only portion left towards a BSN would have been the nursing classes- why not take 2 years of nursing classes towards an MSN -more bag for the buck! I have had 15 hours of class room time, averaged 3 clinical days per week, and written an awesome thesis. Plus I am doing 270 hours of one-on-one precepted time right now. I feel very prepared to be a safe, compentent nurse.
Heh...I'd love to see how safe and competent you feel once you've actually been thrown out there as a new grad....
And yes, I am bitter that I have over 20 years' experience as an RN and am certified in two clinical specialties, but because my master's is in management, not in nursing, you can be hired into dozens of jobs today that I'll never see. I freely admit to being bitter. I can't afford to spend the money on yet another degree for myself when my child's education hasn't been paid for.
May I inquire as to what school this is? I have been searching for *years* for an online MSN program that accepts RNs w/non-nursing degrees without requiring "bridge" BSN courses (read: extra money for the university). Would love to know about that special school out there!
It's Walden University. They have applied for CCNE accreditation and should have a decision this Spring. Their website is http://www.waldenu.edu. They have 2 tracks, Education and Management. You gotta have some pre-reqs out of the way before starting, if u don't have a BSN already. They are cheap and they provide the textbooks and everything u need for your classes (inclusive in the tuition costs). Check them out.
Heh...I'd love to see how safe and competent you feel once you've actually been thrown out there as a new grad....
And yes, I am bitter that I have over 20 years' experience as an RN and am certified in two clinical specialties, but because my master's is in management, not in nursing, you can be hired into dozens of jobs today that I'll never see. I freely admit to being bitter. I can't afford to spend the money on yet another degree for myself when my child's education hasn't been paid for.
What do you need your MSN for? I have a BA in 2 majors but not in nursing. If I were to get my Masters it wouldn't be in nursing.
If you want to become an advanced practice nurse, you will need a master's degree. I want to become an acute/chronic PNP and I will have to have an MSN to do that.
here's my experience: i applied and was accepted to a direct-entry msn program for those who do not have a nursing degree. my bs is in finance. this particular program was 3 years in length: the first year got you up to speed to sit and pass the nclex. so you have your rn license, but no rn degree. then while working as an rn, you completed the classes for the msn part-time. the program required you to complete at least 1 year of rn experience before giving you the msn degree.
unfortunately, i had to drop out of the program because i became pregnant right before it started.
not all direct-entry MSN programs are the same. now that i have moved from california to florida, the only programs i seem to find here are for those who already have their aa/as in nursing, a ba/bs in another field and now want a msn. so some programs let you go right in with no nursing experience at all; the others require to you at least have your associate's and some nursing experience first.
Hi everyone!! I graduated as Associate in Health Science Education. Igot my equvalency report from IERF and told me that it is equivqlent in the U.S. as ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH EDUCATION. I just wondering of what is the best job for this course. By the way, this is my second course, and my first course was Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry. I finished both degree in the Phillipines. pls. help me on my uncertainties! Thank you!
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stevesf
38 Posts
Nothing against any of the choices others have made, but for me, the choice was simple. I looked into diploma, ADN, BSN and direct-entry MSN programs. I already have a BS. My primary care provider graduated from a direct-entry MSN program, and the affiliated hospital wouldn't even consider him for a new hire - no experience! The diploma program in our state has a very good reputation, and is a difficult program with lots of clinical exposure. The BSN programs (I applied to and was accepted to several) cost $40k-$50k and with all the core course requirements, would have taken 4-5 years part-time.
The 5 hospital recruiters I talked to said it made no difference to them what preparation you had as long as you had the RN license for an initial, graduate nurse job. To advance up the ladder in management or administration, they all said that the BSN was a requirement, but the BS would probably be OK. The implication was that if they wanted to retain you for such a position, they would find a way!
My goal is to pursue an MSN, and maybe some form of CNS, but it's all in the future, for now. My best option seems to be to finish my ADN, pass the NCLEX and get a few years of med-surg experience. The RN-BSN programs do not require the same amount of "core courses", even though they are the same outfits that I applied to for the BSN program; plus the hospitals will generally help pay for most of it. However, I have found that this step may be unnecessary if I'm considering the MSN or DNP route. I'm also considering the Army Reserve as a way to get some great experience, which also will help pay for further education.
There is growing preference for the BSN as an entry level for RN; they typically have less clinical experience (quickly made up for on the job), and the NCLEX pass rates are a little lower (not enough to warrant using this as a criteria). The idea is to learn to think like a nurse, not to memorize a load of stuff everyone knows where to look up when they need it.
I have friends in all the different types of RN programs, and they're all smart people, and all will start in the same "type" of job when they graduate. Your options and desires may differ, so I only wanted to show things from my point of view.
Steve