Direct Entry MSN Program Opinion

[med_life_for_me]

What are your opinions on Direct Entry MSN programs?

For those working as NPs, do you feel that those who did not work previously as RNs will be at a disadvantage or looked down upon when searching for work?

My degree was a BS in Psych and during my last 2 years of college I took pre-med classes (except for A & P 1 and 2). During this time, I worked at a hospital gathering around 500 patient contact hours.

Fast forward, I've been in the workforce for about 3 years, but my mind always gravitates towards the medical field. I really enjoyed working at the hospital and I can't explain it but I had feelings of elation when working there. My brain was constantly stimulated, I was learning, making a difference; there is something about medicine that is exciting to me and I feel like it's my calling (however strange that sounds).

For cost factors alone, I'm not interested in doing an Accelerated BSN program. I want to do a Masters in order to not have to pay out of pocket for another Bachelors degree.

Furthermore, I'm interested in being an NP not an RN, so to me it doesn't make sense to pay "extra" for an Accelerated BSN program when I can obtain an RN in the process of pursuing an MSN (and I'm well aware that I will have to work as an RN during the MSN process but it's not my end goal).

So, what are your thoughts on these Direct Entry MSN programs?

Are they worth it and will I have problems finding work without previous experience as an RN?

Thanks in advance!

[Birthday_Girl]

I am aware of Yale and Seattle University. Penn has an accelerated BSN/MSN option. I found them by using Google.

[JustKeepDriving]

The thing that I just don't understand is - if you have an undergraduate degree and healthcare experience outside of nursing - why one wouldn't go the PA route vs. the NP. This opinion might be unpopular but I always figured the APRN role was for individuals who were nurses first and decided to advance upon the skills that they gained in their field. The thing with the NP role is that you specialize right out the gate - you've worked in the field (for example, I've worked in both psych and medical - with the majority of my experience in Psych and chose to pursue the PMHNP because I saw a huge need for those services in the facility where I've spent most of my career). I would never have gone this route if I hadn't 1. experienced different areas of nursing and 2. worked in the area where I ultimately decided to specialize.

The PA route is a provider role that doesn't specialize - and ultimately is more flexible that the NP route for people that don't have RN experience. It's also a shorter route and you don't have to get a license/training that you ultimately don't want to use (the RN portion). Just my 2 cents.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I also would have chosen the PA route if I weren't already practicing previously as a nurse and interested in a provider role that doesn't require years of medical school and residency. Then I thought maybe some people are choosing direct entry NP programs over PA because the former is easier to get into but that can't be true either because I know of many direct entry programs that are very competitive. I personally do not have a bias either way (as far as direct entry NP vs traditional route NP).

I think from the standpoint of primary care provision, direct entry FNP programs can adequately prepare providers regardless of background because let's face it, majority of RN's work in hospitals in specialized units with compartmentalized skill sets that have nothing to do with providing primary care. I am also assuming that the smaller amount of RN's working in primary care clinics have skill sets that do not contribute to FNP preparation.

It also boils down to individual abilities and to a larger extent, natural selection. I personally work with two direct entry ACNP's (from two different Northeast Ivy League programs) who seem just as competent now working as ICU NP's having had no previous RN experience whatsoever. These guys are smart to begin with and are determined. They did admit that there were students in their respective classes who were clueless and were destined to fail as providers.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I do agree with you Juan that nursing as a general rule does not provide you with a background in primary care. However, when you work in a specialized area and then pursue an APRN position in that specialized area, I think an RN with that experience would outshine a direct-entry APRN.

[mom2grace]

Being a nurse practitioner is a COMPLETELY different job than being an RN.

This! And this is why major universities are beginning to not require practice as an RN first. Research does not show RN experience is helpful when it comes to NP practice. My NP program has some new grads in it and they are at no disadvantage. This is a Big 10 university program.