Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

[GoodyNurse2b]

Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.

Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?

I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.

Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?

I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........

[surfer betty crocker]

This may rile some people up on this site, which it is not meant to do, however I think that most ADN programs graduate more technically superior students. I have a Baccelaureate degree already but opted to pursue the ADN-BSN-MS track. I feel clinical skills are far more important for a new nurse than the theory they focus on in most BSN programs.

Anybody else out there agree? Or are you all ready to throw rotten vegetables at your screen :uhoh21:

Also, those of you that are opting for a 3yr. bridge program to graduate with an advanced nursing degree that have not had any clinical exposure whatsoever--will you go straight to work as NP's after graduation?

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I think that at this point in time, most if not all programs are hard to get in. Good luck :)

[Gennaver, MSN]

This may rile some people up on this site, which it is not meant to do, however I think that most ADN programs graduate more technically superior students. I have a Baccelaureate degree already but opted to pursue the ADN-BSN-MS track. I feel clinical skills are far more important for a new nurse than the theory they focus on in most BSN programs.

Anybody else out there agree? Or are you all ready to throw rotten vegetables at your screen :uhoh21:

Also, those of you that are opting for a 3yr. bridge program to graduate with an advanced nursing degree that have not had any clinical exposure whatsoever--will you go straight to work as NP's after graduation?

Hi Hillflower,

Best wishes and congratulation on your choice to pursue an RN licensure. Any route you choose is perfect. We are all individuals. I would not force my route on you and would hope that you eaqually respect my choice too.

Congratulations.

My program is a two years Masters entry which will prepare me to take the NCLEX RN and also give me the generic (non specialty) Masters. Since I am working in critical care already I know for sure that upon completion of my program that I do want to stay right in to complete the rest of the componant for the acute np/cns. Since I have been working with patients for almost 20 years I also know that when I complete the cns or np that I want to stay right in while working to work towards the PhD in nursing. The end for me is not the 'salary' but, in the work and the role.

Best,

Gen

[Louise409]

Hi Everyone-Who's awaiting interview letters for UCSF?

I've posted this before...any fellow pins-and-needlers?

I've been reading over the anticipation everyone went through last spring, and I realize I haven't even gotten to that point yet. There's another program I need to apply to for my backup also....

[Raymond CA]

I just posted this, if anyone is interested in getting into an ABSN program:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f198/got-into-rush-universitys-absn-program-chicago-148631.html

[karmyk]

Congrats, RaymondCA! =)

On another note, it looks like there are a LOT of new entry MSN programs popping up all over California this year... most last-minute and not very well-publicized. I think UCLA (MECN) and CSUS (ELMSN) are starting one this year and are accepting applications on a rolling basis still (at least according to their websites).. And entry MSN programs are being offered in several schools already (SFSU, Sonoma State, UCSF, Samuel Merritt, and Mount St. Mary's College, to name a few), so there are a lot of opportunities-- old and new-- now in Cali.. always an option for people who are looking for additional opportunities to consider for direct-entry programs.

[Raymond CA]

I'm in the Bay Area, and I'm familiar with some of these new programs. I have friends in some as well.

I strongly warn people to think twice before applying to these "last-minute" accelerated programs---whether MSN or BSN. The main problems are the words "new" and "last-minute." From what I've heard, the administrations, faculties, facilities, communications, etc. can be extremely DISORGANIZED, poorly taught, and poorly run.

For example, take Samuel Merritt, which is based in Oakland. They are starting a new ABSN this year in San Francisco. Their application deadline was last Dec. 1. But only in January, I started seeing job ads for secretaries, faculty, and staff for this SF program on places like Craigslist. And as of NOW (since one of my classmates was accepted to this program and told me so), they STILL do not know where the San Francisco campus is going to be!!!

This ABSN program starts this May, and they still have no idea where the classes will be! In fact, she tells me, they will need to start in Oakland, and maybe in Sept. they will know.

Likewise, I've heard bad reviews of the teaching quality, disorganization, etc. of various NEW accelerated programs. A nursing school just doesn't spring out of the ground, and the time it takes to hire good teachers, get the facilities set up, hire staff, get everyone communicating together on the same page, etc. may take years.

My advice: skip the brand new programs and focus on the OLDER, established accelerated programs. Let other students be their guinea pigs.

[karmyk]

Wow... that's some major hate for Samuel Merritt...

*ducks*

Don't shoot the messenger please =(

[Raymond CA]

Oops, I'm sorry about that ...I didn't realize that you're planning to go to their ELMS-FNP program. I am just talking about their new ABSN. I don't have personal knowledge, but it's what I've heard from sources.

From what I've heard from different friends in different programs, an older program may have its act together better.

I visited Samuel Merritt and had a good impression of it and the people I met. I also liked the small college atmosphere, as you said. Maybe I spoke out of turn.

[karmyk]

Dude, it's all good.

(You'll have to forgive me... the places I did my undergrad and high school educations really pushed the whole school pride thing. ;p )

HOWEVER... you did bring up a good point, and the newness of the ABSN program, especially in San Francisco, is a very good factor to weigh when considering it as an option for a nursing education... I've also heard both good and bad things about the current program, but it's gotta start somewhere... Your point is a good one to follow, though. Hopefully, everything work out for the new students.

Some of the new Direct-Entry MSN programs scare me because the information on the websites tend to be extremely vague.. But (ending on a positive note ) I guess everyone has to start somewhere. I've seen it done in my military time... and while many rushed programs have had their share of rough beginnings (*coughs*), a couple manage to pull through and come out as winners from the start (with their own few kinks, of course, because no program is ever perfect).

[pachouly]

BYU is Brigham Young University in Utah. They have a huge online course offering. And their online courses arent tied to a semester. You can start them any time and you have a year to finish them. They don't offer lab sciences though. But I figured I would take chem just to brush up - not as a formal prereq. Most classes are between $275 and 400 which is pretty cheap for around here (Boston).

-Jess

Jess,

Were there any issues for you with using online courses for your pre-requisites? While I don't have a family, I work a lot of unpredictable hours and it is difficult to fit in classes. I was looking at BYU's course catalog and thinking of taking statistics and some psych classes there.

Regards,

Becky

[Jess RN]

Jess,

Were there any issues for you with using online courses for your pre-requisites? While I don't have a family, I work a lot of unpredictable hours and it is difficult to fit in classes. I was looking at BYU's course catalog and thinking of taking statistics and some psych classes there.

Regards,

Becky

I only ended up taking one prereq online- (micro w/lab through ccconline) but my school (BC) had no problem accepting it. I would check with your schools (where are you applying?) before enrolling, but I bet it will be fine. BYU is an accredited school and I think that's all they care about.

Good luck!

Jess