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.
Wow I forgot that I started this thread! Thank you to everyone who responded to this.
I have decided to stick at the CC that I am in now. I will be applying for the Nursing Program in October. Hopefully I will be accepted for Spring 2007. Taking an accelarated program is out of the question for me as I need to work full-time during the day. The CC I am at has an Evening Program. So please everyone keep your fingers crossed for me b/c if I do not get in for Spring 2007, I will have to wait a whole other year to apply again as they only do the Evening Program in the Spring.
I intend to get my RN and get a job, and while working I will pursue the MSN program (hopefully wherever I am working will pay for some of my tuition)!!
I would like to be beside for a while, really hoping to be in the Mother/Baby Unit! I haven't really thought of doing the administrative side of nursing, but maybe once I have the education to do so I will change my mind.
Good luck to everyone and thank you again for all of your input on this topic! You really helped me out!
I think what needs clarification is that in order to get your MSN you need to have a BSN first, though there are schools that offer an accelerated program to get your BSN and then your MSN.
aspentree, actually that is not true. When I am done, I will not have a BSN. I will only have an MSN. I will be LilPeanut, RN until I complete my masters coursework, then I'll be LilPeanut, RN, MSN, NNP.
I'm disappointed by some of the attitudes on this thread, those who seem to want direct entries to fail. It's another path to nursing. Many RNs earn more than NPs, so it's not just a matter of money.
I think what needs clarification is that in order to get your MSN you need to have a BSN first, though there are schools that offer an accelerated program to get your BSN and then your MSN.
That is actually not true -- you can be an RN and get into a combination program or, if you have a degree in another field, go into a bridge program. It really depends on the program ... they all have different requirements. But several, if you have a degree in another field, you can get the MSN without getting a BSN
SMP, I see you're from NJ. I can tell you right off the bat that A LOT of colleges here allow BA + RN students to go into the master's (usually, you take a 6-9 credit "bridge," but none of them require you to earn a BSN). THe ones I know of are:
Seton Hall
Fairleigh Dickinson
William Paterson
St. Peter's
Kean
Ramapo
UMDNJ
There may well be more, but these are the ones I've looked into. Lots of options!
tofu2k
2 Posts
I was conflicted with a similar situation myself (I have a BS and am attending CC to get ADN), but my thought is this:
An entry level MSN program for people with BAs, etc is great EXCEPT:
I have no idea what kind of RN I want to be!