Direct-entry MSN programs

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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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!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

Hi everyone,

It's Diana. I've been relaxing all summer and haven't checked the boards until now. It's awesome to hear from those of you who have started already. MGH begins on 9/7/05 I think!! Your stories sound so amazing - it's like you're learning new stuff every minute. I can't wait to start. I'll be packing up in Portland and driving cross country in early August. Man, driving from Oregon to Boston is going to be loooong. My dad's going with me :chuckle so we'll see how that goes. Glad to know everyone's doing well! I'll try to jump on the web more often!

See ya

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four more weeks, they say the summer's the worst, just four more weeks, then I can sleep...

mommy, make the mean pharmacology monster stop hitting me in the head!!!

I hear you Elizabells! I just ended the 5th week with 4 midterms, 2 clinical signoffs plus the regular careplans, comprehensive health histories. I survived! :-) I feel like the end of the term is approachable. Just 4 more weeks! Yeah!

Smile123

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Hi everyone,

It's Diana. I've been relaxing all summer and haven't checked the boards until now. It's awesome to hear from those of you who have started already. MGH begins on 9/7/05 I think!! Your stories sound so amazing - it's like you're learning new stuff every minute. I can't wait to start. I'll be packing up in Portland and driving cross country in early August. Man, driving from Oregon to Boston is going to be loooong. My dad's going with me :chuckle so we'll see how that goes. Glad to know everyone's doing well! I'll try to jump on the web more often!

See ya

PDXdreamer, have a fun time with your dad travelling out from Portland to Boston! You and your dad should have lots of bonding time! :p (The country is extremely flat in the midwest!)

Bring good CDs, tapes, snacks and cool drinks to make your trip more enjoyable! :clown: If you are a member of AAA, get a TripTix map packet. They will put together a map end to end of your trip for you for free. Then you just need the regular city/vicinity map to get to your specific street in Boston. Oh yes, bring change for those toll roads too! Happy travelling!

Smile123

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Specializes in NICU.

I just wanted to say 'hi'.

I just sent of my application to a direct entry masters program. I should hear in few weeks if they want to set up an interview.

I'm glad there is now a thread for direct entry people. I'm a little (OK a lot) nervous about the intensity of it all, so reading what you guys have to say may help me put it all in perspective. My program is only 15 months long though, so it might be even more intense than others! My program is also very different in that the didactic portion is all online! We only go to campus 2 or 3 times a semester.

To answer the question, it's 64 units at $500 each, so $32,000 plus books/uniforms/supplies etc... I'll also be hiring a mothers' helper/Nanny for my 6 and 3 year olds. So, my loans will be around $50,000.

Regarding NCLEX pass rates, well this if I get in, I will be in only the 2nd cohort ever. The first will not have even finished school (but they will be 1 semester away). So, no one will know...their BSN program had a pass rate in the 90's last year though.

Heather

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I just wanted to say 'hi'.

I just sent of my application to a direct entry masters program. I should hear in few weeks if they want to set up an interview.

Heather

Good luck Heather!!

Wishing you the best.

Is your entire program only 15 months long or is that the pre-NCLEX portion?

Is it after the 15 months that the didactic portion becomes online? It seems incorrect somehow to have the pre-NCLEX portion with only 2-3 campus visits a month, (unless you are already an RN) because clinical practices have to involve hands on supervised practicums. Then of course there is the clinical sites where you go to work supervised. Maybe this is what you mean?

Either way, that first 15 months will be tough, you can do it!!

I am just over a month away from starting DePaul, (upon completion of one more class), which school are you hoping for AND, have you chosen more than one for a backup?

Gen

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Specializes in Postpartum.
I just wanted to say 'hi'.

I just sent of my application to a direct entry masters program. I should hear in few weeks if they want to set up an interview.

I'm glad there is now a thread for direct entry people. I'm a little (OK a lot) nervous about the intensity of it all, so reading what you guys have to say may help me put it all in perspective. My program is only 15 months long though, so it might be even more intense than others! My program is also very different in that the didactic portion is all online! We only go to campus 2 or 3 times a semester.

To answer the question, it's 64 units at $500 each, so $32,000 plus books/uniforms/supplies etc... I'll also be hiring a mothers' helper/Nanny for my 6 and 3 year olds. So, my loans will be around $50,000.

Regarding NCLEX pass rates, well this if I get in, I will be in only the 2nd cohort ever. The first will not have even finished school (but they will be 1 semester away). So, no one will know...their BSN program had a pass rate in the 90's last year though.

Heather

Hi Heather!

Welcome to allnurses! This is a great site and this has been an awesome thread for support in the direct entry application/prepraration process. It sounds like your program is an accelerated BSN, right? We have only one program like that around here- at a well respected small liberal arts college- and you get your BSN in 16 mo. All the other programs are direct entry MSN programs and take at least two years to complete. These are all very intense programs! What was your undergrad degree in? What part of the country are you in? Have you worked in healthcare or volunteered? I'd say good healthcare experience either through work or volunteering was a common thread among acceptances on this site. Well, I have to run- but again- welcome!

-Jess

PS- I have two kids too. My childcare is going to cost more than my tuition! Unreal!!

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I just wanted to say 'hi'.

I just sent of my application to a direct entry masters program. I should hear in few weeks if they want to set up an interview.

I'm glad there is now a thread for direct entry people. I'm a little (OK a lot) nervous about the intensity of it all, so reading what you guys have to say may help me put it all in perspective. My program is only 15 months long though, so it might be even more intense than others! My program is also very different in that the didactic portion is all online! We only go to campus 2 or 3 times a semester.

To answer the question, it's 64 units at $500 each, so $32,000 plus books/uniforms/supplies etc... I'll also be hiring a mothers' helper/Nanny for my 6 and 3 year olds. So, my loans will be around $50,000.

Regarding NCLEX pass rates, well this if I get in, I will be in only the 2nd cohort ever. The first will not have even finished school (but they will be 1 semester away). So, no one will know...their BSN program had a pass rate in the 90's last year though.

Heather

Hi Heather,

Best of luck to you on your application! What school did you apply to? I know there are accelerated BSN programs sprnging up all the time.

You're talking 15 months to get a RN/BSN right? Not the masters as well? For some of us in this direct entry program, we take 13 months to get the BSN/RN and another 2 years to get the MSN portion. A lot of people who get the BSN/RN will take a year off and work as a RN before going on for the master's. I still have not decided what I'm going to do after I get my BSN. I'd like to work and then go to school part time for the master's if possible. Then I wouldn't incur such a large debt at the end of the program. Welcome to the group! :p We are definitely in a unique niche.

Smile123

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Specializes in NICU.

Is your entire program only 15 months long or is that the pre-NCLEX portion?

Is it after the 15 months that the didactic portion becomes online? It seems incorrect somehow to have the pre-NCLEX portion with only 2-3 campus visits a month, (unless you are already an RN) because clinical practices have to involve hands on supervised practicums. Then of course there is the clinical sites where you go to work supervised. Maybe this is what you mean?

Gen

Nope, as insane as it sounds, the ENTIRE program is 15 months, and except for clincal all online. It's direct entry for people with a BS in another field. It is not a BSN, it's an MSN program. The clincal portion starts right away too, we have to be CNA's to start the program. The clincal portion is at the hospitals with our own one on one preceptor. The 2-3 times a month on campus is for clincal practices. I know it sounds CRAZY, but somehow they are making it work...

Heather

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Specializes in NICU.
What school did you apply to? I know there are accelerated BSN programs sprnging up all the time.

You're talking 15 months to get a RN/BSN right? Not the masters as well? For some of us in this direct entry program, we take 13 months to get the BSN/RN and another 2 years to get the MSN portion. A lot of people who get the BSN/RN will take a year off and work as a RN before going on for the master's. I still have not decided what I'm going to do after I get my BSN. I'd like to work and then go to school part time for the master's if possible. Then I wouldn't incur such a large debt at the end of the program. Welcome to the group! :p We are definitely in a unique niche.

Smile123

The school is Sonoma State University, in northern CA...it's actually the university I grew up near. I even went to pre-school there, and I got my BSN there.

The whole reason I even started looking to see what kind of MSN programs they offered is that my son was ill about 1 1/2 years ago, and at the hospital (UCSF) a lot of the nurses were telling me to go to USF (I think), do the 1 year to get the RN BSN, then tell them I wanted to work a bit before continuing on to get the MSN, then drop out. It was rather strange to be studying biology as a pre-req. to get into an ASN program, while spending 4 days/nights a week at UCSF, which as you know is very well known for it's own nursing programs. But, I got a lot of advise from lots of nurses! By the end of 6 weeks, everyone knew that I was a pre-nursing student.

Heather

P.S. My son is completely fine now, fully recovered...when you learn about Gullian Barre Syndrome (a de-mylenating auto immune disease), you can think about me (well my son) LOL.

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Nope, as insane as it sounds, the ENTIRE program is 15 months, and except for clincal all online. It's direct entry for people with a BS in another field. It is not a BSN, it's an MSN program. The clincal portion starts right away too, we have to be CNA's to start the program. The clincal portion is at the hospitals with our own one on one preceptor. The 2-3 times a month on campus is for clincal practices. I know it sounds CRAZY, but somehow they are making it work...

Heather

Hi Heather,

That is so amazing! Are there hoops to become a CNA? That is, you have to take another program (some CNA programs are 4 months long on the weekends) to be admitted to Sonoma State U? I hope it works. I'm feeling the pressure of just doing the BSN portion, so I cannot even imagine what it would be like to get your entire MSN in 15 months! You'll have to keep us posted!

Smile123

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Specializes in NICU.
Hi Heather,

That is so amazing! Are there hoops to become a CNA? That is, you have to take another program (some CNA programs are 4 months long on the weekends) to be admitted to Sonoma State U? I hope it works. I'm feeling the pressure of just doing the BSN portion, so I cannot even imagine what it would be like to get your entire MSN in 15 months! You'll have to keep us posted!

Smile123

Nope, no hoops to becomming a CNA. It's a bit more difficult in CA than in other states (more clinical hours, and in class hours too I think). But, I did it last summer, 4 weeks full time a the American Red Cross (not all chapters offer CNA training, we are lucky that ours does). Or, you could do a full time 10 week training at the JC.

Yes, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the prospects of it only being 15 months. But, I figure I can do anything for 1 1/2 years...there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's closer than the 2 or 3 year ASN or BSN programs around here.

Oh, and to answer the person who asked earlier...My Bachelors is in communications. I don't have any medical experience (other than being a CNA, but everyone has to have that). Supposedley they are looking for well rounded people with other experiences to share with the class. Oh, and one other fun thing about this program. They only interview 30 people, and there are only spots for 16 people a year!

Heather

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Nope, no hoops to becomming a CNA. It's a bit more difficult in CA than in other states (more clinical hours, and in class hours too I think). But, I did it last summer, 4 weeks full time a the American Red Cross (not all chapters offer CNA training, we are lucky that ours does). Or, you could do a full time 10 week training at the JC.

Yes, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the prospects of it only being 15 months. But, I figure I can do anything for 1 1/2 years...there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's closer than the 2 or 3 year ASN or BSN programs around here.

Oh, and to answer the person who asked earlier...My Bachelors is in communications. I don't have any medical experience (other than being a CNA, but everyone has to have that). Supposedley they are looking for well rounded people with other experiences to share with the class. Oh, and one other fun thing about this program. They only interview 30 people, and there are only spots for 16 people a year!

Heather

Hi Heather,

So that means if you get an interview, your odds are better than 50% of getting into the program! Those are great odds! Good luck!

Smile123

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