Can I work with one year finished of a direct-entry Masters prgram?

[lulu123]

Hi all,

I'm currently half-way through my first year in a direct-entry Masters program (a total of three years, 1 pre-specialty year and 2 specialty years) and I was wondering if I can work as a nurse following my first/pre-specialty year...I know my particular program doesn't offer a BSN upon completion of this first year, but we do get a certificate of Nursing that allows us to sit for the NCLEX which we are required to take (and pass) before we can move into our specialty years. Does this mean if I leave my program after the first year I would still be able to work as an RN after passing the NCLEX? For personal reasons I most likely will have to stop the program after the completion of this first year (it's not a given yet, but it's a very, very great possibility that I will not be able to remain where I'm living and going to school) but I don't want to lose all this hard work and I still want to work as a nurse...do any of you think this is possible? Or probable? Or even worth considering? I haven't broached this thought with my program yet as I think it might send some ringing red flags flying off in all directions and I want to avoid that for as long as I can. Thanks for any input you might have.

[BluegrassRN]

I work in a University hospital with a Nursing school and they offer a BS, not a BSN because a BS is a higher degree than a BSN.

This makes no sense to me. A BS is a Bachelor of Science degree. If they offer a nursing program whose degree is a BS degree, then it's a....BSN, isn't it?

[caliotter3]

I am a non graduate LVN and should be a non graduate RN, but I live in CA. If you can sit for NCLEX and pass you will be an RN and can work as long as someone hires you. Over the years I have had no problems with the fact that I did not graduate. My employers were quite happy with the fact that I hold a valid license. You should be just as fortunate, even if you don't live in CA. Your biggest problem will lie in getting that first job, but most people have a hard time getting the first job. Good luck.