Confused on AP education options?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I am really confused now. I've been reading other posts, and some are saying you can become a Nurse Practitioner via a direct-entry masters program, without even already being an RN? All the schools I have investigated so far for direct entry master's are for RNs who have a BS in another field and want to get a MSN and/or become a NP.

Is it true that a person who is not an RN, but has a degree in another field can go to a nursing master's program and end up with an NP in two years? If someone knows of programs like this, can you please post me a link to the schools? I am interested in researching how this all works. If there are programs out there like that, I am afraid I wasted a lot of time/$$ the way I have approached school.

I'm very confused as to the types of graduate programs for APN, esp NP. Right now I am enrolled in a RN to MSN program, where I earn my BSN a little more than 1/2 way through and get to take graduate level courses while completing my BSN/MSN. There are two years of critical care working experience required to complete the program to be a NP. Honestly, it is my plan right now, but I may decide down the line I need more RN experience before I try to sit for NP boards. I am eager to get my masters degree because the education itself is important to me. Being a NP is my future goal, not the only goal. I mean, some days now I even look back at pre-nursing school and think how scary it is all the stuff I didn't KNOW that I didn't KNOW! hehe

Thoroughly confused at this point. :(

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, Lurksalot,

Yes, there are programs for the non-nurse with a second degree and can enter as DE. Then, receive MSN/NP.

Check here for a list of some of the programs:

http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/accelerated-msn/

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You can't graduate, or work, as an NP without already being an RN. So - the programs you're talking about, the DE MSN programs, are for people - like me - with a BS/BA in another area to become first an RN and then an NP. Some award a BSN; some just award the RN via a "certificate" in nursing. My program is 3 years long, which I think is pretty typical; I can't imagine a program like this being possible in 2 years (but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!).

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I take that back - I just looked at another thread that describes the UW program as offering an MN in just one year (after the accelerated RN year). Wow! That's fast! So - apologies for my misinformation above. :idea:

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Thank you for the explanations, now I can see how programs have changed even since I first started my education. In any case, the path I am on now probably still would have been the fastest for me. I have to admit, I was in such a hurry to get done school to get my RN, but now as I look forward to working I think I will miss the opportunity to say "hey, I'm a student, I don't know about any of this!" :)

Wow, there really are a lot of options for education within nursing, it is good to have options!

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