Can a Masters degree holder get into RN Program in Georgia

panic36 · Jul 2, 2014

As many have already said, your degree should cover a lot of the prereq's mainly the general education ones, but you'd have to go over your classes to make sure you've completed all of them for the RN program you are trying to get into. Also be aware a lot of schools put a time limit on the science courses, so depending how old they are you might actually have to retake them.

For the financial aid I don't believe you are eligible to receive the pel grant anymore.

According to this link http://ifap.ed.gov/sfahandbooks/attachments/0304Vol3Ch1.pdf

"PELL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTSTwo Pell-specific eligibility requirements are that the student must

either be an undergraduate or be enrolled in an eligible

postbaccalaureate teaching credential program, and not be

incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution."

and

"Undergraduate Student

In general, a student must be an undergraduate to receive a Pell

Grant (see “Eligible Postbaccalaureate Program” for an exception).

For Pell purposes, the regulations define an undergraduate as one who

is enrolled in an undergraduate course of study and who hasn’t earned

a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent or a first professional degree.

(“Professional degree” means a degree offered by professional

programs such as pharmacy, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.)"

So I'm pretty sure you will need to speak to your financial office to see if there are scholarships you can apply for, or possible loans you can get with low APR.

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

If one of your degrees contains the appropriate pre-reqs for the program to which you apply, you will be fine.
And no doubt they will.

Thank you!

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

There are several of my classmates in my ABSN that have a masters in either Public Health or Heathcare Administration. They definitely not over qualified for nursing school. They are newbies when it came to nursing skills.

Thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate. Which school is that? and is the school in Georgia?

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

It doesn't matter for which degree (undergrad or MBA) you took your pre-reqs so long as you have completed them. But keep in mind that some programs require that some of the courses (particularly the sciences) not be older than a certain number of years. I've usually seen about 5 years being the cut off for A&P for example.
I'm also in Atlanta and I wouldn't disregard LPN programs. I have a masters degree and that's what I'm applying for. The program is much more affordable and there are bridge programs. There are actually a few LPN to BSN bridge programs in Georgia. I'm an "older" student so I want to get working as soon as I can. I plan to get my LPN, work for a while, and then do a bridge program. It just makes more financial sense for me. You have to figure out what makes most sense for your wallet and your goals. People have been saying for decades that LPNs are being phased out, and that might be true in some parts of the country, but in the Atlanta area there are still LPN jobs. Long term care and home health care always hire LPNs and many of the area hospitals do hire LPNs. Although it is easier to get in at a LTC facility as a new grad, so you should be open to that if you decide to go that route.

Thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate. LPN was the route i wanted to go for, but so many people keep saying why would i do LPN when I can directly go into RN program. Please since you are in Atlanta, I will really appreciate more information and advice from you. i am currently SAHM and I want start working as soon as I can also... I dont want to go through all the long process and not having a job. If you don't mind me asking, what schools are you looking at or have applied to? I will really appreciate your input and advice. Thank you!

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

As many have already said, your degree should cover a lot of the prereq's mainly the general education ones, but you'd have to go over your classes to make sure you've completed all of them for the RN program you are trying to get into. Also be aware a lot of schools put a time limit on the science courses, so depending how old they are you might actually have to retake them.
For the financial aid I don't believe you are eligible to receive the pel grant anymore.
According to this link http://ifap.ed.gov/sfahandbooks/attachments/0304Vol3Ch1.pdf
"PELL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTSTwo Pell-specific eligibility requirements are that the student must
either be an undergraduate or be enrolled in an eligible
postbaccalaureate teaching credential program, and not be
incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution."
and
"Undergraduate Student
In general, a student must be an undergraduate to receive a Pell
Grant (see “Eligible Postbaccalaureate Program” for an exception).
For Pell purposes, the regulations define an undergraduate as one who
is enrolled in an undergraduate course of study and who hasn’t earned
a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent or a first professional degree.
(“Professional degree” means a degree offered by professional
programs such as pharmacy, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.)"
So I'm pretty sure you will need to speak to your financial office to see if there are scholarships you can apply for, or possible loans you can get with low APR.

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my thread, i do appreciate. I think i will need to take the prereq's again. Also can you or anyone suggest a good school in georgia where i can retake them without paying too much... I really do appreciate all feedback, suggestions and comments.

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

The suggestions above are great, but with regard to the financial aide, you may want to check the FASFA.gov site. You have a Bachelors and a Masters. I know you can get funding for a second bachelors but I am not sure if you still qualify for that funding once you have gotten a masters. This is assuning you got funding already for your other degrees.

Thank you so much. I really do appreciate.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 2, 2014

I have a BS in Biology and a Masters in teaching. The Biology degree helped me because of having most of my sciences. The undergraduate classes will help because they help with other pre-reqs such as math, English and humanities. The masters doesn't help. When I applied for RN-BSN, they don't even look at graduate level courses. If you can do an ABSN, that would be the fastest route to an RN and you will have the proper BSN to have a better chance of getting a job. When you go to look for a job, the other degrees may help, but as far as nursing school, not so much. Do not bother with the LPN.

WenDu · Jul 2, 2014

mmc51264

Thank you so much... i will look at all options. But u just got me confused, what is the different btw RN-BSN and ABSN? arent they dsame?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 2, 2014

I got my 2 year degree-associates in Nursing. Most employers want a bachelors in nursing NOT an associates so I am in a bridge program where 2 year degree nurses can get their bachelors in Nursing. It is taking me about 18 months (4 semesters including summer classes). I will have a 2 associates, 2 bachelors and a masters when I a done (unless I decide to do an MSN to teach-one thing at a time LOL) RN-BSN is for those that already have their Nursing license. ABSN is for those that have a bachelors, but need the nursing part. ABSN is one less step.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jul 2, 2014

mmc51264
Thank you so much... i will look at all options. But u just got me confused, what is the different btw RN-BSN and ABSN? arent they dsame?

RN-BSN is for ASN nurses that have their RN licence to obtain their BSN. ABSN is for students that have a bachelors in a non-nursing field that allows them to skip the foundational studies (art, history,etc) since it was covered in their first degree and complete only the needed core nursing classes (obviously after the required pre-reqs).

monica427 · Jul 3, 2014

Thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate. LPN was the route i wanted to go for, but so many people keep saying why would i do LPN when I can directly go into RN program. Please since you are in Atlanta, I will really appreciate more information and advice from you. i am currently SAHM and I want start working as soon as I can also... I dont want to go through all the long process and not having a job. If you don't mind me asking, what schools are you looking at or have applied to? I will really appreciate your input and advice. Thank you!

I'm applying for the LPN program at Georgia Piedmont Tech for the spring semester. I'm also considering applying to West GA Tech as a backup. I already have student debt from my previous degrees so going the most economical route is what makes sense for me. Technical colleges are so much more affordable than any of the universities. Also the RN programs all seem to start in the Fall and last two years. If I went that route it would be 3 years before I graduate. I'm 33 years old and my husband and I want to start a family sooner than later so getting my LPN first makes sense in that regard. I just want to have a decent career started before any babies happen. The LPN program lasts one year so I would be done and hopefully working much sooner. For me it's a one step at a time thing. Also I like that I may be able to work part-time or PRN as an LPN while bridging to BSN in the future. Honestly, if I didn't have the student debt and I already had children it might be a different scenario. It's all such an individual decision. So don't disregard LPN programs entirely. They do have a purpose and can get you working in the field sooner and with less debt. But BSN or ADN programs are certainly valid as well. My advice is to weigh the cost, the time commitments, and your goals. I wish there was an easy button! :)

WenDu · Jul 3, 2014

mmc51264

Thank you for explaining it better... I am beginning to have a better understanding about the program. i am so glad i found this site. Again thank you...