direct entry MSN

I am currently an LPN student and would like to get my NP. I have a BS in Mgmt and I am thinking about going straight into a direct entry MSN program. Has anyone had any experience with this any tips advice? I am currently in West Tennessee. Relocation is not a problem. Thanks in advance.

Dawn

My only advice is to find a way to pay for it, then get ahold of me and let me know how you did it!

I am doing the direct entry MSN program at Vanderbilt in the fall of this year. Yes, it is so expensive, but I think it will be worth it in the long run... it saves a LOT of time. I think Vandy is about 85k all together for 2 years (then you include books, fees, uniforms, equipment, etc) and I think I am ending up with about 102k in loans!!! YIKES. But when it is all over with it will be worth it when I will be doing what I love and of course rolling in the big bucks. Besides Vanderbilt, I have heard of these schools: Emory, Virginia Commonwealth, Ohio State, DePaul, East Carolina University (I am sure there are more, those are just the ones I found when I was researching) Hope this helps...

I am doing the direct entry MSN program at Vanderbilt in the fall of this year. Yes, it is so expensive, but I think it will be worth it in the long run... it saves a LOT of time. I think Vandy is about 85k all together for 2 years (then you include books, fees, uniforms, equipment, etc) and I think I am ending up with about 102k in loans!!! YIKES. But when it is all over with it will be worth it when I will be doing what I love and of course rolling in the big bucks. Besides Vanderbilt, I have heard of these schools: Emory, Virginia Commonwealth, Ohio State, DePaul, East Carolina University (I am sure there are more, those are just the ones I found when I was researching) Hope this helps...

Are you taking out private lender/"alternative" graduate loans? I want to do the UIC graduate entry program, but I can't get enough federal loans to cover the first year (you're not technically considered a grad student, financial aid-wise, until you finish the first year/RN portion of the program). I'm seriiously considering applying for a NHSC scholarship to cover it. . .we'll see how that goes.

Vanderbilt is only 2 years?

I start an entry-level MSN FNP program this August. It's pricey. But I live in California which has opportunities for loan repayment and scholarships if you agree to work in medically underserved areas. Payback can be up to 10,000 a year for BSN and MSN nurses. It works out well b/c I was hoping to work in medically underserved areas anyway.

In the meantime I'm taking out government and private loans. My plan is to live with the interest, get the first 15 months payed for with loans while I get my BSN. Work part time as a nurse while pursuing the masters portion of my degree and pay out of pocket for the remaining 40,000.

The program has a total cost of $80,000. Essentially I'm panning to get half of that paid back to me in the form of loan repayment. Keep in mind that you can't get loan repayment of you don't take out a loan. For instance, if I took $ out of savings I could swing the cost of tuition but then I'm just out of that dough.

Many companies offer laon repayment options as well when you sign on to work for them. You've got to work, so you might as well plan on working for people who offer attractive laon repayment benefits.

hey wild mountain child, where are you going in CA? I am also in CA and am looking into direct entry programs.

Are you taking out private lender/"alternative" graduate loans? I want to do the UIC graduate entry program, but I can't get enough federal loans to cover the first year (you're not technically considered a grad student, financial aid-wise, until you finish the first year/RN portion of the program). I'm seriiously considering applying for a NHSC scholarship to cover it. . .we'll see how that goes.

Vanderbilt is only 2 years?

Yes, Vanderbilt is only 2 years and we are considered Grad Students right away. I am taking out Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) and what they call a Grad PLUS loan. That is the major bulk of my loan, I think it is like 32K. Anyway, you have to be approved for those, the others you are automatically approved for. UIC is another great school that I looked at, I failed to mention it earlier.

Yeah. . .I don't care much about having a ton of student loans (it's a fact of life these days) if I can actually get them! Maybe I should look into Vanderbilt and other schools that consider you a grad student as a first year (any others? Yale??). I only have about $5,000 remaining in undergradutate student aid, and I'm pretty sure my mom would not cosign on a $20,000 loan.

Vandy is not taking applications for the fall anymore though. You get your RN the first year and your MSN the 2nd but for some reason they still consider it master's right away...

Hey Rosie26,

I'll be going to Samuel Merritt in Oakland, CA. There are a lot of options for Master's entry programs in CA, especially if you're willing to move. Where are you located? If you'd like I could tell you about some of the programs.

N

I'm also in CA and will be starting the Master's Entry program at UCSF next month. It seems like a good deal, comparatively speaking - 27,000 for the first year, 13,000 for the second and third.

In addition to Stafford Loans, it seems like the GradPLUS is the way to go. It's just starting this summer, so it's brand new. The fixed 8.5% interest rate stings a bit, but I guess it's better to have it capped than not...

Are you taking out private lender/"alternative" graduate loans? I want to do the UIC graduate entry program, but I can't get enough federal loans to cover the first year (you're not technically considered a grad student, financial aid-wise, until you finish the first year/RN portion of the program).

Not sure where you got that information, but it's false. I'm in the UIC GEP, and we're considered Grad students from day 1, even though we're not until we pass the NCLEX. I chose GEP because it's the only way I could get loans; if you already have a bachelor's degree, you have to go for a master's in order to get financial aid. Hope that info helps somebody.

I have an undergrad degree not in nursing. I'm doing a program right now where I do the RN portion and MS portion together (11 quarters total). I got my RN after 6 quarters and now I'm doing just my NP clinicals. My advice is don't stress over the RN portion and the NCLEX- that's what I wish someone had told me! They're important but if you do a good program you'll be prepared! I hated the "RN" portion but I love the "NP" portion because it's actually what I want to do! The program can be very stressful at times because there is so much to learn so don't let it get to you if you do this type of program. Remember to take time for yourself. The program doesn't get easier, you just learn how to deal with everything better- that's how you'll make it through it. I have 3 more quartes to go... Each quarter for me is about $3,400 plus your living and stuff.