Certificate of nursing?

BeachsideRN, ASN · May 31, 2015

Hello all,
I'm currently in the middle of applying to an accelerated nursing program that awards a BSN and certificate of nursing. I know some direct entry programs award a certificate and no BSN, what exactly does a certificate of nursing entail? I went to an information session for yales GEPN program and they said that students who do not complete the masters portion will have their certificate of nursing and can only work in hospitals in the area that know the program which made me uneasy about the program (you never know what will happen in life). Thanks!

I do not know about that program, but from your description my gut would tell me the same thing - run. Sounds like IF something happens and you can't finish the masters you are not screwed - likely with no job and a lot of debt. Seems like too much of a gamble to me.

avictoria · May 31, 2015

I not applying to that program, I'm applying to a program that awards a certificate of nursing and a BSN but I'm asking for more information on what a certificate of nursing mean exactly.

pixiestudent2 · May 31, 2015

I not applying to that program, I'm applying to a program that awards a certificate of nursing and a BSN but I'm asking for more information on what a certificate of nursing mean exactly.

I've never heard of such a thing.

What kind of school is this?

Sounds like a marketing ploy.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 31, 2015

I have never heard of a certificate of nursing that tells you that you can only work at places that know about their program? That sounds shady to me. You need to go to a properly accredited school. And did I read that you put Yale is offering this? I think maybe I misread that.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 31, 2015

Ok, from what I am reading, you will not be issued a BSN. You are issued a Certificate of Nursing which allows you to sit for the NCLEX and become a RN. This certificate is what is needed by the state of CT to sit for it. Therefore, you do not get a BSN. Once you pass the NCLEX, you then can finish the program and get your MSN.

The reason they are telling you that you can only work in areas that understand their program, is because most hospitals want to see a BSN. Even if you have a MSN, they still want the BSN. So apparently the hospitals in their area understand the certificate. Because if you don't complete your MSN there but become a RN, no one will hire you without a degree of an ASN or BSN.

I know it's Yale, yadda, yadda, yadda, but I would have lots of issues with this program. To me in order to become a master at anything, you need to practice to become proficient. Clinical hours will not make you proficient in nursing. You need to practice it in real life. Many places will frown upon direct entry MSN programs. Especially when you do not get a BSN with it. What if you want to move to say CA someday? You are going to have a hard time getting your certificate recognized.

My advice is to do an ABSN program to start, then get your MSN down the road. Trust me, you will be much better off in the end.

caliotter3 · May 31, 2015

If they told you that the certificate of nursing will only allow you to work in local hospitals, they told you all you need to know, just like CA programs telling prospective students that the license they obtain after a 30 unit option course will only be honored in the state of CA. You will notice that job applications and job postings ask for the program name that one "graduated" from, implying a degree. Almost all job postings also stipulate that one must be a graduate of an approved/accredited program, leaving no room for guessing. I would pass by that certificate only option. And we haven't even addressed the fact that hospitals want to hire RNs that possess a BSN degree.

avictoria · Jun 1, 2015

Thank you everyone! the program im applying to is actually uconns CEIN/BS program which is a BSN program (I went to the yale info session last year and found that out and decided to not apply at all so don't worry about me haha). I wanted to make sure I understood the difference between a certificate of nursing and a BSN. I will receive a BSN in the program I am applying too, which is one of the reasons I am applying to it.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 2, 2015

OK - worst case scenario? You obtain your certificate BSN & get licensed to practice, but are unable to complete your MSN due to whatever.... you're stuck working in those facilities that 'recognize' the program. You will be unable to work as an RN in any other location. In fact, entry-level MSNs are unable to be licensed by reciprocity in some states because those states' NPAs specifically require an undergrad degree from an accredited program in order to be eligible for licensure. Srry, looking for my list of those states, but can't find it. It used to be available from the NCSBN website.

Bottom line? Although we are far from 'standardized' in most aspects of nursing education and licensure, it is still a gamble to try a new or novel approach. Change comes veeeerrrry slowly, so it will probably be decades before new curriculum designs are recognized, even if they are much better.