Direct-entry MSN programs

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just moving the other thread to its new home. Here's where we talk about issues unique to Master's-entry programs!

Regarding direct entry programs, can you be an RN with an old BS in nursing to enter a direct entry program? Can you give me some names of some of the less competitive direct entry programs? Thanks Krisssy

Direct entry is students who have a BS in a non-nursing field and want to get an RN. Typically, the direct entry programs are accel'd (14 months to 18 months) to get the RN. Some of them like Hopkins have the BSN/RN degree. Some others are direct entry to a masters. This means you enter the program to get an RN and masters upon graduation (usually 2.5 to 3 years); you don't get a BSN degree. (Note: the reason they are accel'd is because you usually have to spend 1 to 1.5 years completing the pre-reqs (anatomy, physiology, micro, nutrition, stats, psych, etc.) before you are in the program.

If you already have a BSN in nursing, you are already an RN. (You would have passed the NCLEX would be working as an RN.) If you wanted to go on and get a masters (to become a nurse practitioner, etc.) then you wouild just apply for the straight masters (ususally a 2 year program). I hope that answers your question.

Smile123

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Thanks for the info, Smile. I think I actually am accepted into the traditional program - I applied for the accelerated (checked off the boxes for both) but did not have all my reccomendations in on time for the accelerated deadline(grrrr). I guess i'll see exactly what my letter says - really either one would be okay with me. I was so distracted when they called me that I forgot to ask what exactly I'd be accepted for!

I'm still waiting on the 4 boston schools I applied to - I live in Boston right now. I have an interview with Northeastern next week. Haven't heard from anywhere else yet.

janony

Hi Janony,

I would say wait then before visiting. If you really want to go to some of the Boston schools, see what happens. It's a bit early to hear from schools right now. I think the majority of the schools let people know in March. Good luck!

Smile123

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Specializes in Postpartum.

Congrats Janony on your acceptance to JHU! That's great! It will be a while before you hear back from Boston area schools, no? I think BC was mid- March. Where else did you end up applying and what's your top choice if you had to choose between them at this point?

-Jess

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Specializes in NICU.

I didn't apply to Boston schools, but when we first started the first incarnation of this thread (my god, was that a year ago?) I remember that the Boston kids found out after I did, and I heard in mid-Feb.

I might not finish my program, y'all. The neonatal track is in such massive disarray right now I think I might be better served by taking my BSN and bolting. Thank god I picked a program that grants both degrees. I'm thinking of traveling around the world, do a year in London, a year in NZ or Australia, maybe a few months with a group like Partners in Health in Haiti. I mean, I'm young, single, no kids, with an extremely marketable career. Why not, you know?

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Regarding direct entry programs, can you be an RN with an old BS in nursing to enter a direct entry program? Can you give me some names of some of the less competitive direct entry programs? Thanks Krisssy

Hello Krissy,

I am sure your question has probably been answered. but wanted to reply.

If you already have an RN then you probably wouldnt' need the direct entry as those are for non-nurse majors.

If you already have a BSN then you are ready for graduate school without the pre-NCLEX portion.

Some schools will take an ADN for their RN to MSN program which includes the BSN but, you already earned that.

Hope this answered your questions.

Gen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Direct entry is students who have a BS in a non-nursing field and want to get an RN. Typically, the direct entry programs are accel'd (14 months to 18 months) to get the RN. Some of them like Hopkins have the BSN/RN degree. Some others are direct entry to a masters. This means you enter the program to get an RN and masters upon graduation (usually 2.5 to 3 years); you don't get a BSN degree. (Note: the reason they are accel'd is because you usually have to spend 1 to 1.5 years completing the pre-reqs (anatomy, physiology, micro, nutrition, stats, psych, etc.) before you are in the program.

...

Smile123

Hello Smile,

The program I am in at DePaul was created after the USFC model and is a master's entry to nursing program where you graduate able to sit for the NCLEX and have the generalist Masters in Nursing in 21 months, (2 academic years).

I am so glad that my first choice school didn't accept me because with them all I would have gotten was a certificate to sit for the NCLEX after 15 months and then a minimum of 3-4 more years before completing the NP. Not my idea of a good way to economize time NOR to facilitate mutual professional understanding of the degree!

Gen

p.s. I just cannot believe that mid-terms are here next week for my second quarter already!

p.p.s. very, very glad to have the separation/divorce underway to get beyond the luggage of a weak marriage gone worse too!:p

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I didn't apply to Boston schools, but when we first started the first incarnation of this thread (my god, was that a year ago?) I remember that the Boston kids found out after I did, and I heard in mid-Feb.

I might not finish my program, y'all. The neonatal track is in such massive disarray right now I think I might be better served by taking my BSN and bolting. Thank god I picked a program that grants both degrees. I'm thinking of traveling around the world, do a year in London, a year in NZ or Australia, maybe a few months with a group like Partners in Health in Haiti. I mean, I'm young, single, no kids, with an extremely marketable career. Why not, you know?

Elizabels,

I like your "location...its not what you think..."

Is the neonatal portion really arranged so poorly that you are thinking of bailing out? Is it just one rotation? Can you "gut" it out for that time?

My program saves the pediatrics portion until our very last quarter, (at a local Children's hospital), maybe this is why? Good luck on whatever your choice is!

I fully agree about the travel part, since I will soon be solo, I am again looking at my interests in travel, rural and remote community nursing, (First Nations in the far north of Ontario as I am a mixed cultured Ojibwe/Cree descendant). I gave up those thought upon marriage last year but, hey, you are so right about our marketability, we have options and so much in front of us!

Gen

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Specializes in Postpartum.
I didn't apply to Boston schools, but when we first started the first incarnation of this thread (my god, was that a year ago?) I remember that the Boston kids found out after I did, and I heard in mid-Feb.

I might not finish my program, y'all. The neonatal track is in such massive disarray right now I think I might be better served by taking my BSN and bolting. Thank god I picked a program that grants both degrees. I'm thinking of traveling around the world, do a year in London, a year in NZ or Australia, maybe a few months with a group like Partners in Health in Haiti. I mean, I'm young, single, no kids, with an extremely marketable career. Why not, you know?

I'm sorry your program is a drag.:( What's up with these prestigious schools who are disorganized and can't seem to get their act together?! I know some students in the class ahead of mine had some complaints about the organization of my program- but we seem to have seen some major improvements this year. We have a strong graduate nurses association, and I think they did a lot of work with the faculty this past year. Travelling sounds so great and you are at a great point in your life to be able to have those kinds of experiences. Any of those options sounds amazing! Plus, my impression is that the problems are more with direct entry programs than with traditional master's programs- so if you wanted to work at the bedside for a while and then return to a master's prorgam in the future as a nurse (maybe not at Columbia) you would probably have a much different experience. Hang in there for the time being, and good luck making your decisions.

-Jess

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Specializes in Postpartum.

Have any of you read any of her books? I read From Silence to Voice before I applied to school and Nursing Against the Odds last summer before I started my program. She spoke at BC last week. She was pretty, um... ballsy. She went off on direct entry programs and nurses who use bedside nursing as a stepping stone for advanced practice nursing and academic positions in the nursing elite. She was speaking to a room full of professors, PhD and grad students. I thought it was kind of funny- the Q&A section after the talk was...interesting. Oh man.

I won a copy of Nursing Against the Odds in the raffle. I already own it, I'd be happy to mail it out to any one who wants it. She's an excellent writer and it is a really interesting read.

-Jess

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I didn't apply to Boston schools, but when we first started the first incarnation of this thread (my god, was that a year ago?) I remember that the Boston kids found out after I did, and I heard in mid-Feb.

I might not finish my program, y'all. The neonatal track is in such massive disarray right now I think I might be better served by taking my BSN and bolting. Thank god I picked a program that grants both degrees. I'm thinking of traveling around the world, do a year in London, a year in NZ or Australia, maybe a few months with a group like Partners in Health in Haiti. I mean, I'm young, single, no kids, with an extremely marketable career. Why not, you know?

Hey Elizabells,

You indeed are lucky that Columbia grants a BSN and Masters. It gives you more flexibility. I am in the accel'd BSN/NP masters program, but I want to take at least a year off to work after getting my BSN and practice my skills in the real world. Travelling is always an option after working a year as a RN, but from the sound of it, perhaps you are a little stressed and burnt out right now. Are you thinking of travelling just to relax or were you thinking of working as well? Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck!

Smile123

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Have any of you read any of her books? I read From Silence to Voice before I applied to school and Nursing Against the Odds last summer before I started my program. She spoke at BC last week. She was pretty, um... ballsy. She went off on direct entry programs and nurses who use bedside nursing as a stepping stone for advanced practice nursing and academic positions in the nursing elite. She was speaking to a room full of professors, PhD and grad students. I thought it was kind of funny- the Q&A section after the talk was...interesting. Oh man.

I won a copy of Nursing Against the Odds in the raffle. I already own it, I'd be happy to mail it out to any one who wants it. She's an excellent writer and it is a really interesting read.

-Jess

Hi Jess,

If no one has pm'd you about the extra copy, I would like to read it, (and would be glad to forward it one to another one of us upon completion too).

Gen

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Specializes in Postpartum.

Sure Gen, just PM me your address and I'll pop it in the mail for you. I think you will enjoy it- I did.

-Jess

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