Direct Entry Master's Program - HELP!

[Beowoulf]

I am about to begin my last of 3 years in a direct entry master's program at a very prestigious Canadian university. Direct entry means that they take people with BAs in other fields and "fast track" them into nursing. The idea is that the nursing field will be "enriched" by having people with different backgrounds and experiences.

The principal foci of our program are research, nursing theory, and family nursing. There is not alot of emphasis on clinical.

The profs at our school stress that this is a SELF-DIRECTED learning program - which *I* think they use to relieve themselves of the chores of thorough and systematic teaching. We are frequently admonished, "This is a MASTER'S program! You're not undergrads anymore! You need to take care of your own learning needs!!!" But, I object, one needs to know something about what should be learned before you can even ask the right questions!

Here's my problem: Assuming I pass this final year (It has been VERY tough ... especially due to the reputation of the school and the fact that I am in class with all geniuses - really!), I'm not going to know SQUAT about the kind of nursing you guys all talk about on here: bedside nursing in a hospital. I can't IMAGINE passing the NCLEX (I'm American) with all of its detailed questions on clinical nursing. (I don't imagine there will be many questions on things like Leventhal's Theory of Self-Regulation and Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring in Nursing!!)

I feel like an idiot in clinical settings where people with an Associate's degree or students from "normal" nursing schools put me to shame with their knowledge. And I am sure they must regard me with a kind of contempt: "THIS guy is going to have a MASTER'S degree??? He barely knows a chest tube from a Foley!!!!" They must feel a certain injustice about it all. I would also think that some of you reading this post probably feel a little steamed.

Right now, I am working on my graduation project. It involves administering a Patient Satisfaction survey to clients in an ambulatory oncology clinic. We will then apply our findings to Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives and re-measure patient satisfaction. I am supposed to write it all up and submit it for publication in a nursing journal.

I'm a 50 year old man and have two BAs. I've worked for years in hospitals in pastoral care. You'd think I'd feel proud about being in this program, but mostly I just feel like an imposter. Graduates go on to get a year or two of staff nurse experience and then apply for those "other" nursing jobs.

I'm not sure why I am writing this post. Maybe it is just to get out SOME of the things that have really been bothering me. Can some of you share perspectives? I'm just tired of feeling bad about all this.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Hey Beowulf - come check out the Graduate Student forum - we have a thread for those of us in Direct Entry programs

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I can't imagine no requirement for clinical experience, unless you are not expected to ever work in a clinical setting. I will have to admit, the only clinical experience I have had since grad school is working as clinical instructor. You would not be qualified for that, but you would certainly be capable of administrative duties. I see you have a handicap and hope you find a way to work thru it. What is the philosophy of the program? Expected outcomes?

[Gennaver, MSN]

I am about to begin my last of 3 years in a direct entry master's program at a very prestigious Canadian university. Direct entry means that they take people with BAs in other fields and "fast track" them into nursing. The idea is that the nursing field will be "enriched" by having people with different backgrounds and experiences.

The principal foci of our program are research, nursing theory, and family nursing. There is not alot of emphasis on clinical.

I'm just tired of feeling bad about all this.

Hello Beowoulf,

There is also a thread in the pre-nursing student forum.

I am baffled as to why you are having 'self-directed' learning while you are still pre NCLEX?? What? Unless of course, your last year IS where all the clinical education and precepted work will happen.

Above you list the main foci as being research, theory and family nursing. By family nursing do you mean office nursing? Like an ambulatory clinic?

I am glad you posted here, especially because you are feeling so anxious about this. Something does not sound right. Are all the students in your cohort non-nurses? Do you have regular clinical days, (you know, where you learn to do hands on stuff with patient care?)

What is your program's history like? How many classes have graduated before you and what do they say? How is the school rated and were do the grads end up working when they are done? Will you graduate with the MSN or the BSN/MSN? I do not understand how you can sit for the NCLEX when you are currently not having pre-cepted clinicals. This does not sound right at all.

Good luck and hope to read more from you.

Gen