I am currently researching what I need to do in order to become a Nurse Practitioner and already confused as to what is a right track for me. Here is my Bio :
30y.o., reside in NYC, Bachelor's of Business Administration from accredited university, undergrad GPA is 2.59... In my college courses completed college English and Math reqs, as well as Statistics I and II. No Science classes at all.
What would be the best and most effiient way to get into the RIGHT nursing program for me? I am very much confused between BSN, RN, LPN and all other nusing acronyms..
I keep telling myself that some things take more time than others. I spent 2 years taking pre-req classes at a technical college and university (there was a semester I was enrolled at both schools at the same time while working full-time!) I finally finished and I'll be starting my hospital diploma program next week. I want to get a Master's, but I don't know what my speciality will be, so I chose this route. Even though I already have a BBA, I wanted the hospital diploma due to the amount of individual attention the school gives its students as well as the heavy clinical aspect. Also, the school is paying for my tuition. After I finish, I'll go straight for the BSN as well. The same hospital will pay for that. Hopefully by then, I'll know what speciality to study for my Master's.
So you can just go into a nursing program with a BS? And then go into a RN to BSN? I'm confused!
Hi - well first of all, each person is probably going to give you a different opinion :)
I am in a similar situation - I have a bachelors in engineering and want to be an NP.
My path is: I've spent the last 2 years taking my prerequisites and this month I apply to a 3-year direct entry program. After 15 months it gives me a BSRN and then after two more years I have my masters.
However, other people will probably tell you other pathways you could pursue. I think the only way to really know is to research, research, research and read as much as you can.
So you can just go into a nursing program with a BS? And then go into a RN to BSN? I'm confused!
With a BA/BS in any given subject you can:
Get into an ADN program and earn your Associates degree and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Get into 2nd Bachelor's program and earn your BSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Get into a Direct Entry Master's program and earn your MSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Complete a hospital-based Diploma program and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
With any degree you can then seek to earn additional degrees (RN -> BSN, RN -> MSN, BSN -> MSN, PhD, DNP, etc)
To practice, you must get your RN license. To get your license you must complete an approved (by your state's nursing board) program and pass the NCLEX.
OK, not to beat this subject into the ground, but I am still a little confused. I would choose this option you listed: "Get into a Direct Entry Master's program and earn your MSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license."
Now, how can I go about doing that? How can I "be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license," if I do not already have an ADN in nursing?
Also, I would need to do this online. Do you, or anyone else, know of a school where I could go for my RN, while doing a MSN, skipping the ADN? As I've said, I already have most of my gen eds, I just need a few prereq's such as A & P and Chem.
With a BS in any given subject you can:
Get into an ADN program and earn your Associates degree and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Get into 2nd Bachelor's program and earn your BSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Get into a Direct Entry Master's program and earn your MSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
Complete a hospital-based Diploma program and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license
With any degree you can then seek to earn additional degrees (RN -> BSN, RN -> MSN, BSN -> MSN, PhD, DNP, etc)
To practice, you must get your RN license. To get your license you must complete an approved (by your state's nursing board) program and pass the NCLEX.
OK, not to beat this subject into the ground, but I am still a little confused. I would choose this option you listed: "Get into a Direct Entry Master's program and earn your MSN and be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license."
Now, how can I go about doing that? How can I "be qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license," if I do not already have an ADN in nursing?
Also, I would need to do this online. Do you, or anyone else, know of a school where I could go for my RN, while doing a MSN, skipping the ADN? As I've said, I already have most of my gen eds, I just need a few prereq's such as A & P and Chem.
The Direct Entry MSN programs are for people who hold a BA/BS in a non-nursing field. With completion of the program, the graduates earn a Master's of Science in Nursing and are qualified to sit for the NCLEX.
As to "...how can I go about doing that," it's a matter of finding a university that has such a program and gaining admittance.
There is no such thing as a purely online program whereby somebody can qualify to sit for the NCLEX. The reason is that one must gain a sufficient number of hours and qualifying experiences in a clinical setting in order to qualify to take the licensing exam.
Seems like to get a masters in nursing, you would need a BSN. Since you already have a Bachelors, you would look to apply to an accelerated program.
As with most fields of study, as MA/MS in that subject does not necessarily mean a BA/BS in that subject; neither does a doctorate in a given field necessarily imply a BA/BS and/or MA/MS in that field.
Some of the most common examples: MBAs (which don't require a baccalaureate degree in business), MPHs (which don't require a baccalaureate degree in public health), and MDs & DDSs which don't require any specific baccalaureate degree.
I didn't intend to imply that if that is what you thought. I totally understand, having a degree in Counseling. I also know that there are accelerated programs here that will take you and your NON-NURSING/NON-SCIENCE degrees, provided you take the courses needed for the program.
Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
Don't give up. I am in my 3rd semester at a community college taking my prereqs. I graduated from U of M and transferred my classes to the community college. They did not care about my GPA at all. I have gotten all A's at the new college so my GPA is a 4.0. (they don't start off with your previous GPA) Can you take some prereqs at a community college and just be sure they transfer to the university you prefer? My plan is to get my associates, take the state exam to become an RN and then pursue my bachelors after I have a job in a hospital and the hospital can pay for it.
Don't give up on your dream. It is possible. When I first started college, I bought a keychain that says "do or do not. there is no try" That is my motivation that I WILL become a nurse - there is no other option.
Good luck!!
MyBrowneyedgirl - I like your keychain.
Lurdes777 - this is kind of the route that I chose to take. I was looking at a BSN (4-year university), the local CC and there is also a Diploma program but for the money I didn't think it was worth it since I'm also thinking long-term and would like to get my future employer to contribute or pay the whole thing. I'm not sure they'll do it twice for the same person. Anyway, my GPA was much lower than yours for a while. No degree but about 90 credits. It is now somewhere in the 3.6 range. My pre-reqs are mostly As, a B and a C. My plan is to go to the local CC and get my ADN, work for a year or so then apply to the university for an RN-BSN, most likely online so I can complete while I work. I will then focus on applying for a master's degree. Along the way, I will decide if I become a Nurse Practitioner or CRNA or something else. My point is "don't give up!". If this is something that you want, you will find a way. If business was not for you (like my previous major wasn't) and nursing is, then it will all work out. Good luck!!
Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
I keep telling myself that some things take more time than others. I spent 2 years taking pre-req classes at a technical college and university (there was a semester I was enrolled at both schools at the same time while working full-time!) I finally finished and I'll be starting my hospital diploma program next week. I want to get a Master's, but I don't know what my speciality will be, so I chose this route. Even though I already have a BBA, I wanted the hospital diploma due to the amount of individual attention the school gives its students as well as the heavy clinical aspect. Also, the school is paying for my tuition. After I finish, I'll go straight for the BSN as well. The same hospital will pay for that. Hopefully by then, I'll know what speciality to study for my Master's.
Where are you going? There is a hospital diploma program offered by Watts School of Nursing near where I live. They work with the Duke hospitals. I decided against it because of the high cost. So I didn't look to much into it. Plus the big turn-off is that I would have to take 12 credits at their affiliated school before being able to enter the nursing/clinical portion. I have already done all my pre-reqs so don't need any more classes. The diploma program does seem good, strict and clinically-focused. The other main thing was that they work with Duke to reimburse you in exchange for time served at the hospital. But if I promise them 3 years in exchange for my reimbursement then go to a master's program will they reimburse me again? Plus I still have to get a BSN in between, what about reimbursement for that? The ADN at the CC seems like the fastest, best and most efficient option for me.
- I like your keychain.
crr277
54 Posts
I keep telling myself that some things take more time than others. I spent 2 years taking pre-req classes at a technical college and university (there was a semester I was enrolled at both schools at the same time while working full-time!) I finally finished and I'll be starting my hospital diploma program next week. I want to get a Master's, but I don't know what my speciality will be, so I chose this route. Even though I already have a BBA, I wanted the hospital diploma due to the amount of individual attention the school gives its students as well as the heavy clinical aspect. Also, the school is paying for my tuition. After I finish, I'll go straight for the BSN as well. The same hospital will pay for that. Hopefully by then, I'll know what speciality to study for my Master's.