direct-ebtry MSN, public health & wait lists, what's the deal?

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hi guys!

So I'm in the process of finishing up my pre-reqs for direct-entry masters programs, for non-nurses. I've applied to a few programs already and (joy of joys) been wait listed on two of them and not heard anything yet from the others. Now I got interested in direct-entry masters programs because I liked the freedom of being an advanced practice nurse, the career options, settings etc. This having been said, if I do not get into any of the programs I applied to (which, let's face it, is a pretty valid possibility) I want to still keep taking steps towards a nursing degree, but perhaps not the direct-entry MSN programs method. Before this direct-entry thing came into my life, I was hellbent on public health, loved it and wanted to work in disaster management/critical infrastructure and I still feel like I could combine nursing and emergency management. So, does anyone know of any good way to go about nursing AND public health? Perhaps a joint BSN/MPH program, or a really fast/accelerated RN program that I could go through quickly and then move onto public health schooling? I'm just sort of tired of waiting to begin my career and if this direct-entry MSN thing doesn't pan out I want to be able to move onto something else, still nursing, but something else. I don't want to wait anymore! Anything you might have, any information or advice would be great! Thanks!

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Specializes in public health, heme/onc, research.

Hi,

I started off in an accelerated/direct entry program (May 06). It was basically BSN-->MSN/MPH (this program doesn't exist at my school any more). I dropped the MSN portion after I got the BS (Dec. 07) because it wasn't as structured as I hoped. I'm finishing up my MPH now and will be done in May. My primary PH interest in infectious diseases and international health. The plus side to applying to this program was that I was accepted to both nursing school and public health school at the same time and didn't have to reapply to MPH programs in the midst of studying for NCLEX and finding a job.

Maybe you can apply to some accelerated BSN programs at schools that also have MPH schools and see if they'll let you defer your enrollment in MPH school for a year or so while you get your BSN.

Hope this helps! All the best! :-)

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Don't know where you are geographically located, but Univ. of MD SON has a MPH program.

http://nursing.umaryland.edu/programs/ms/community.htm

They also have a direct-entry MSN program. The type of degree that one earns upon graduating from their DE program is called a clinical nurse leader (CNL). This degree, which is fairly new, is a generalized master's degree, not a specialty. However, once you graduate, you would be eligible to apply to the MPH program.

http://nursing.umaryland.edu/programs/ms/accel.htm

Hope this helps.

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PSHS_2000

So you entered a direct-entry MSN rpogrma, but left after the BS section (1st year) was finished? So you left as a registered nurse, but not with a masters in nursing? Am I getting this right? And then after this you went into an MPH program? Because that's actually very much what I'm interested in, international health, infectious disease as it applies to disaster relief. Have you found that your RN status has helped you in your current MPH program and will continue to help you as you move into the workforce? I want to be as useful as possible and I feel like being an RN with an MPH is a good combo, but I'd love to0 hear it from someone who is actually in the process. Thanks!

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Specializes in public health, heme/onc, research.

Being an RN helps when there are lectures about health conditions or health care admin stuff. In some of my classes knowing the pathophys makes it easier to understand assignments. I've frequently been told that if you have an MPH, it helps to have a clinical degree too. There are several nurses in my program. Some work in the hospital, others at the health department. People seem impressed by the RN, MPH and I'm sure it gives me a leg up over just having a MPH for clinically based PH jobs. Right now I'm applying to a few domestic and international fellowships in epidemiology (my concentration). So hopefully in another year or two I can talk more about how the combo helps my career.

Check out http://www.asph.org or http://www.allnursingschools.com and you can search for MSN/MPH programs.

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PSHS - If you don't have clinical RN experience, though, does that hamper you? In my experience, most people assume that if you have an RN that you have work experience in a clinical setting, most likely in a hospital. Sometimes, an organization specifically wants an RN because they want someone who has that kind of clinical experience in their background.

I may have a RN license, but if a job expects a strong clinical background, I don't feel personally qualified since I have chosen to pursue other avenues in health care besides direct patient care. If I got an MPH, I'd feel almost like I was misrepresenting myself if I advertised myself as RN/MPH, even though it would be technically correct. I'm kind of afraid it would be embarrassing if someone asked "What kind of nursing did you practice before now?" ... uh, I didn't.

Any thoughts/experience on that?

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Specializes in public health, heme/onc, research.

hmm...well I agree that a strong clinical background is important. In some situations (internship interviews, networking with PH people) I have present myself as just a MPH student. I didn't necessarily highlight nursing because I'd only been a nurse for a few months and didn't have the strong clinical background yet. But as soon as they heard that I'm a nurse too it seemd to help me stand out among the other MPH students. I feel that the RN/MPH combo is good for me because of my interest in infectious disease/infection control. I know that I'll need a few more years of direct patient care to be better qualified for the type of job a want.

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