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!

Smile 123,

Your post is interesting to me because I interviewed at Yale last week and a lot of people (NOT faculty so much as current and prospective students) were comparing Yale to Colmubia (I think I saw someone say this is where you go?) and one of things that kept coming up was Columbia's lack of organization...which worries me because I am applying there as well. Also, do you all have to find your own preceptors/ships for clinical rotations and are there really only 2 or 3 full-time faculty actually teaching the courses in each specialty? It's so easy for people to down another program, i just wanted to see what someone who is actually *in* the program thinks!

Lovingpecola

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Thanks for answering my question. Yes I have a BS from 1969, and I passed the NYCLEX when it wasn't called NYCLEX. I am presently in an online graduate psych NP program, and I really like it a lot. But I am afraid about not having any experience. I never worked in a hospital. I did take a refresher course, and I did well considering. I just keep hearing, "But you have no experience." So i thought maybe I should enter a Direct-entry program to get experience. I guess it is kind of crazy. Any suggestions? KrisssyRN MA MS to b (I hope.)

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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

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

No I haven't read any of her books. But I just finished two of Echo Heron's books and really enjoyed them. So I emailed her to ask her some questions, and she actually answered me! Have you read any of her books? Did you like them? Also, what was Suzanne Gordon saying? She doesn't think bedside nurses should go into acadamia? she doesn't like direct entry programs? Why not? I am not sure if I understood what you were saying. Krisssy

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Thanks for answering my question. Yes I have a BS from 1969, and I passed the NYCLEX when it wasn't called NYCLEX. I am presently in an online graduate psych NP program, and I really like it a lot. But I am afraid about not having any experience. I never worked in a hospital. I did take a refresher course, and I did well considering. I just keep hearing, "But you have no experience." So i thought maybe I should enter a Direct-entry program to get experience. I guess it is kind of crazy. Any suggestions? KrisssyRN MA MS to b (I hope.)

If you passed the NCLEX and kept your license current, you do not need to go back for an accel'd program! You can just get a job at a hospital (if you want the experience) and explain that you have not worked in a hospital before. Then they can put you through their new grad orientation program. It can be anywhere from 8 to 12 to 22 weeks long, depending on the unit. They often give that training to other RNs that are moving from one speciality to another. The nice thing is you don't have to pay to get this training because it's part of their job training. Good luck!

Smile123

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Smile 123,

Your post is interesting to me because I interviewed at Yale last week and a lot of people (NOT faculty so much as current and prospective students) were comparing Yale to Colmubia (I think I saw someone say this is where you go?) and one of things that kept coming up was Columbia's lack of organization...which worries me because I am applying there as well. Also, do you all have to find your own preceptors/ships for clinical rotations and are there really only 2 or 3 full-time faculty actually teaching the courses in each specialty? It's so easy for people to down another program, i just wanted to see what someone who is actually *in* the program thinks!

Lovingpecola

It's Elizabells who is at Columbia. I'm at Hopkins. We have our preceptorships assigned for our clinical rotations, so we don't need to find our own. But I have heard of other places where that is true. Good luck with your acceptances!

Smile123

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If you passed the NCLEX and kept your license current, you do not need to go back for an accel'd program! You can just get a job at a hospital (if you want the experience) and explain that you have not worked in a hospital before. Then they can put you through their new grad orientation program. It can be anywhere from 8 to 12 to 22 weeks long, depending on the unit. They often give that training to other RNs that are moving from one speciality to another. The nice thing is you don't have to pay to get this training because it's part of their job training. Good luck!

Smile123

Do you really think I could do it graduating in 1969-SOOOOOOO long ago. Would there be enough training for someone like me? What kind of unit would I apply to? I really want psych, but they want some kind of med surg experience. I don't think I would like med surg at all. Any other specialties that you think may hire me ? Do you know of any reentry programs for nurses like me?

Thanks Krisssy

Krisssy

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Do you really think I could do it graduating in 1969-SOOOOOOO long ago. Would there be enough training for someone like me? What kind of unit would I apply to? I really want psych, but they want some kind of med surg experience. I don't think I would like med surg at all. Any other specialties that you think may hire me ? Do you know of any reentry programs for nurses like me?

Thanks Krisssy

Krisssy

Hi Krisssy,

Probably the best way is to call the nurse recruiter at the hospital you're interested in and explain your situation. Just remember, there is a nursing shortage, so I'm sure they will find some way to accomodate you! They could tell you want they want and if it's possible to just do a refresher through them and then transfer to the psych unit. You could also become a CNA for a little while. Just ask them. Good luck!

Smile123 :nurse:

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.

Hello,

I remember a while back that the admin on the international nursing forum made statements about our fast track and direct entry degrees academic work not being recognized. It sounded like hoo haa when I read it so I remembered it. Since I came across information that conflicts with that admin's views I am pastin the posts with the updated information here. :) Not ill will just, information to help discredit misinformation.

While searching the internet I came across something that directly disputes a statement made in an earlier thread from a Canadian nurse about direct entry to nursing programs.

Anyhow, just to clarify, direct entry programs are graduate programs for non-nurse majors.

I cannot find the old thread to update but, wanted to share that not only does Canada endorse direct entry but that they have them as well.

Pasting:

McGill University offers both Masters and Phd level education. McGill has a unique "Generic Masters" program in which individuals who have hold a non-nursing degree, with no previous preparation in nursing, can complete a masters of nursing. http://www.nursing.mcgill.ca/

(Added:23-Jul-1998 Hits:1414)

EndPaste.

This is akin to the type of program that I am in.

I guess it was the sweeping generalization from the poster who wrote that Canada didn't accept "the" american direct entry program that made it stick out so much in my mind. Come, on there is no "the" program in the US anyhow.

Okay take care,

Gen

Hiya again,

Okay, more information that discredits the misguided statements about Canada not recognizing not only our direct entry nursing degrees but also about our accelerated or fast-track nursing degrees.

While taking another look at some Canadian nursing universities I also uncovered what they call "compressed programs". Good grief, I really thought that those blanket statements which discredit our nursing degrees were hogwash!

Okay, pasting a bit about "compressed" degrees.

Pasting:

The Compressed Time Frame Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BScN) is a 19 month program that qualifies graduates to apply for registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario. This is a concentrated 5 term program requiring students to study in the fall, winter and summer terms over 19 months. The program is offered at Western and must be completed on a full time basis. Students in this program graduate in June after the second year. Students entering this program need to seriously consider outside responsibilities related to finances, work and family, as they will need to study year round.

PROGRAM POLICIES

End Paste, this was from the University of Western Ontario! Ha, okay, well enough said about trash-talking the "Accelerated or Fast track" nursing degrees from the states. Hmph! :)

Gen

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Specializes in NICU.

The thing is that I'm in the neonatal program. It's not just a rotation... There are huge problems with the program "director". I can't do a long post right now bc I have to leave for clinical soon, but the travelling idea is intertwined with working. Get reciprocal licensure, work around the world, etc.

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Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum and have found it very helpful to browse through some posts. I've been doing A Lot of thinking about where I want to go to school and its starting to make me a little crazy I think.... such a big decision! I'm finally starting to hear from schools, and know I'll have to make a decision very soon. I have heard from johns hopkins and vanderbilt so far and have been accepted to both :)... so psyched. I'm still waiting to hear from columbia, yale and BC, but think the only school I would really want to consider over Johns Hopkins is Columbia which I haven't heard that much about in this forum. I was very impressed with John Hopkins when I visited, but am not sure about the hospital and the area itself. I visited Columbia as well and can definitely see myself in NYC, but I'm not sure I think the school is as good as Hopkins. Does anyone have any advice about how the schools compare or their own personal experiences with the schools? I'd really appreciate any advice. Here I thought getting in would be the toughest part... but deciding where to go is difficult too!

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Specializes in NICU.

You should hear from Columbia in less than two weeks - I just remember bc my birthday is 2/14 and my big birthday bash became (woooo alliteration) a combo congrats party.

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Hey Elizabells - my birthday is 2/14 too! Another Valentine's baby!

How old will you be? I'll be 25 - quarter century, egads.

janony

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