BSN Equivalent

ktliz · Jan 17, 2011

Anesthesia is a whole different ball game, since, to my knowledge, it is the only specialty where a certain type of bedside experience is absolutely required.

Are you already an RN with an associate's degree, or are you planning on becoming an RN after you complete your BSc? If you're not already an RN, I would recommend an Accelerated BSN program, which happens to be the route I am taking. :) This PDF was extremely helpful for me: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF (from AACN - Publications - Issue Bulletin )

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

All Accredited RN to MSN / Masters in Nursing Programs

This site says there are 505 programs in the US that do that.

The one I talked to told me I would need 3 courses (about 24 sem hours of BSN the the Masters courses start. Your graduate with both degrees at the same time. They were WAY too expensive and I just dropped the idea at my age.

jamangel · Jan 17, 2011

I've been talking to a DPN friend of mine and she was saying that some master's programs will let you apply with a bachelor's in something other than nursing and an associate's degree from a 2 year program. I was wondering if this is true and how I would go about getting it.
Does anybody have any idea which schools accept equivalents? Most of the school's I've seen require a BSN.
(Sorry for all the questions.)
Thanks!

One comes to mind- Clinical Nurse Leader. I think what your friend is speaking of is what is offered here http://www.mcg.edu/son/cnl.htm for students with a bachelor's degree in some other discipline than nursing. The following link shows the prereqs for a non-nursing degree http://www.mcg.edu/son/cnlreqs.htm

As far as schools that offer Master's with associate's in Nursing-there are many. if the local schools in your are don't offer it, there are many online that do. It's called a RN-MSN degree. The Clinical component is satisfied at the associate degree level which is why you can obtain your Master's online. Some MAster's programs sometimes have an additional small clinical component-nothing major. Hope this helps.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 17, 2011

There are actually a fair number of non-BSN, 2nd degree RN-MSN programs. In the Philadelphia area both Drexel and Widner offer them (Drexel's is on-line, and so is essentially offered nationwide). While you participate in the same MSN program as do the BSNs, there is a a 12-credit, 3 course bridge program that is required prior to starting the masters program for those with baccalaureates in fields other than nursing.

One thing to keep in mind is that some employers, including the USG (VA & military) do not recognize non-BSN nurses even those with a MSN. I had considered the Widner program before learning this and have since opted to go the RN-BSN route instead. If you have a bachelors degree and all of the BSN prereqs such as statistics and micro, there are only 5 or so courses required for the BSN meaning only 2 more than going the RN-MSN route. And since you're not paying graduate tuition rates, it's actually less expensive.

bogymove · Jan 17, 2011

help is there any school in ny/ new jersy that acccept student that are undocumented?i have done all

my pre nursing subject and ready for the nursing program

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 17, 2011

OP, what you're looking for are called "Direct-entry MSN" or "Entry-level MSN" You don't need a BSN to enter these MSN programs.
See link below to find your state that offers the program. Not every state offers these types of programs. This link should help you: Direct Entry MSN (Masters in Nursing) Programs

From my knowledge, "Direct Entry MSN" or "Entry Level MSN" programs are for people who have a non-nursing bachelors only. These programs would not be appropriate for someone with a non-nursing bachelors who also has an associates in nursing. You could go this route if you decide to skip the associates in nursing after finishing your non-nursing bachelors though.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Now from my research, there aren't that many Master's programs that will accept a non-nursing BS degree with RN status, unless you are trying to work in management or education field. If you're trying to work clinically at a master's level, such as CNS, NP, CRNA etc, you will need a BSN degree hands down. There are many programs that have accelerated BS-BSN degree programs, online and ground. What I would say is MOST important, if you indeed need a BSN, is to make sure the school is NLN or CCNE accreditated. Because most, if not all, master's programs at numerous schools require your BSN degree to come from a school with that accreditation. Good Luck!

Really? I have seen TONS of Master's Programs that accept students without a BSN.

Look very, very carefully at the admission requirements..they read something like this:

1. Bachelor of Science

2. RN license

I have never seen one that required, specifically, a BSN and trust me, I have researched programs for the last three years. In fact, we have three co-workers that have ADN's in nursing and a BS in another field that are attending FNP school right now.

I have a list of 8 graduate schools that I am looking at ...not a single one of them, require a BSN.

iPink, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

From my knowledge, "Direct Entry MSN" or "Entry Level MSN" programs are for people who have a non-nursing bachelors only. These programs would not be appropriate for someone with a non-nursing bachelors who also has an associates in nursing. You could go this route if you decide to skip the associates in nursing after finishing your non-nursing bachelors though.

I didn't realize the OP said he/she had an ADN (maybe it was implied). Associate degree RNs who desire an MSN, would just do a bridge program: RN-MSN. If OP is an ADN and wants to skip BSN, there are programs available. A couple of people on this thread have provided information on that already.

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 20, 2011

I didn't realize the OP said he/she had an ADN (maybe it was implied). Associate degree RNs who desire an MSN, would just do a bridge program: RN-MSN. If OP is an ADN and wants to skip BSN, there are programs available. A couple of people on this thread have provided information on that already.

I assumed the associates degree she referred to in her OP was an ADN.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 20, 2011

Just keep in mind that

. . . some employers, including the USG (the VA & the military) do not recognize non-BSN nurses even those with a MSN.

While i don't understand the reasoning behind this (an absurd extension of this thought process would be not recognizing MBAs earned by those who did not have a bachelor's degree in business), it is a reality. Thankfully, it appears that it is largely limited to the federal government and is not widespread - yet.

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

Just keep in mind that
. . . some employers, including the USG (the VA & the military) do not recognize non-BSN nurses even those with a MSN.
While i don't understand the reasoning behind this (an absurd extension of this thought process would be not recognizing MBAs earned by those who did not have a bachelor's degree in business), it is a reality. Thankfully, it appears that it is largely limited to the federal government and is not widespread - yet.

This is not true of all (if any, in my experience) VA or military facilities. During my recent searches I have come across many USG employment announcements in which the minimum qualifications statements are worded thusly:

Nurse I, Level III â€“ An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelors degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and bachelor's degree in a related field and no experience.