Combined Accelerated BSN to MSN programs?

[bostongeorge]

I am wondering about combined Accelerated BSN to MSN programs.

It seems Columbia has one in which you get your BSN then work for a year and then go back for your MSN.

Are there any other schools who have similar programs such as this where one can apply for both degrees at once?

Also does anyone have any experience with Columbia's program and how selective they are in accepting ETP students? If anyone has gotten into this program and can offer some insight into their background, GPA, GRE etc. it would be appreciated.

A little about myself. I had been working in finance for a short period of time and graduated from a 5yr program where i recieved a BS in finance and an MS in accounting. 3.5 BS GPA, 3.92 MS.

With the current downturn I need to look for a new career as things are not necessarily progressing as planned, although I'm not necessarily disappointed about this. Toward the end of my college career I had always told myself if I could have gone back i would have done something with healthcare. After working in the financial services industry it has only solidified this idea in my mind. Both of my parents are nurses and although they have their gripes about how nurses are dealt with, both seem to have very high job satisfaction. All of the finance professionals I have worked with i cannot say the same. A lot of them have lost their jobs and as a result have come to realize how hollow their lives truly were. Those that remain still have a money hungry, kill or be killed mentality that I do not share. As a result of this i was looking to switch into healthcare, specifically nurse anesthetist. This was recommended by one of my parents after a long and lengthy discussion. The details of which I would be more than willing to share.

As a result of my academic background I have virtually no science classes (maybe one or two general science classes which Im pretty sure i got A's in although will most likely be non-transferrable). If i were to take the required 6 classes I need to get into the program:

-)how much of a hindrance would I face being I am coming from a non-science background?

-)Would I be able to take an online course, or if I could how would that be looked upon (I guess this question may be school specific)

-)How much is the GRE weighted in the schools decision making? (I scored a 720, out of 800, on the GMAT, test needed for graduate business schools, which is roughly the top 6% I believe. I have looked at the GRE and the tests are extremely similar so I'm hoping with some studying I could land in a similar range and thus bolster my application to a degree)

Thank you for all your time and information. I look forward to hearing your responses!

[bostongeorge]

bump.