Hello everyone! I'm hoping to get some outside perspective on this question and possibly some options as well. Just a brief on my background: I hold a liberal arts Bachelors degree and just finished my LPN schooling. I stumbled upon the concept of direct entry MSN programs and wonder if this might work well in my situation.
Both schools I contacted in my local area require the student to have an RN license which wouldn't do me much good. Any thoughts on good programs which require only a non-nursing BA and *might* look favorably at my having completed Lpn?
I heard Marquette might be an option but would love to know of any others you might have had success in!
I graduated from a MEPN program (CNL, not NP), and I had no problem finding a job (as a New Grad RN, not as a CNL). In fact, the school I went to is in one of the worst markets for new grads, yet almost everyone was employed in the local area before/ shortly after graduation. We had 1400+ hours of clinicals. While others DE programs may have limited clinical hours, ours definitely did not. I do not have any desire, at this time, to be an NP, but my MSN does give me the opportunity to pursue post-master's certifications in my areas of interest- education and public health.
Accelerated BSN programs are roughly 15 months to complete, or less depending on what pre-reqs you have completed. To go from an LPN to a BSN, it takes the full 4 years at my school. I think when you're applying to a Masters in Science, they would like to have students have a Bachelors in Science as well because you are already up to par with much of the knowledge necessary to make critical decisions. Although, to each their own, I hope you find a way to that MSN!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I think the trepidations with the direct entry programs is that you are obtaining an advanced degree in advanced nursing with no nursing experience. The results from these programs have been mixed......for regardless of degree it's at the bedside when the patient and bedside experience that counts.
I think the trepidations with the direct entry programs is that you are obtaining an advanced degree in advanced nursing with no nursing experience. The results from these programs have been mixed......for regardless of degree it's at the bedside when the patient and bedside experience that counts.
According to what? The only research study done on this topic has found that RN experience does not contribute to NP competency. These programs have been around for a long time, mine is over 20 years old. There are a lot of NPs out there who graduate from direct entry programs, and they do just fine. Remember, most DE programs are extremely competitive and only attract very academically astute, dedicated individuals who are willing to put all their time into their training.
I believe the program I am starting in September is considered a DE program, although from reading the posts here, it might not be a "standard" DE program. My school offers 2 DE programs for non-nursing majors. One program allows you to complete your BSN in 1 year while also completing 3 grad courses (9 credits) along the way. Once you obtain your BSN you continue straight into the MSN portion either full-time (complete in 15 months) or part-time. The other program is set up the exact same way, only the BSN takes 2 years to complete. This is the program I'm starting in September. I chose to apply to the 2-year program because I don't feel I'd be adequately prepared to be a practicing RN after only 1 year of study, but that is just my personal opinion. I have done nothing in the medical field thus far, and don't want to rush myself into the career. Like I said, maybe these programs are set up differently than most DE programs across the country, but I'm really not sure. I feel confident that I will be able to learn all I need to know before graduating in 2014. Then again, my program is longer than most out there, so that probably has something to do with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
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I graduated from a MEPN program (CNL, not NP), and I had no problem finding a job (as a New Grad RN, not as a CNL). In fact, the school I went to is in one of the worst markets for new grads, yet almost everyone was employed in the local area before/ shortly after graduation. We had 1400+ hours of clinicals. While others DE programs may have limited clinical hours, ours definitely did not. I do not have any desire, at this time, to be an NP, but my MSN does give me the opportunity to pursue post-master's certifications in my areas of interest- education and public health.