Do you need a BSN to apply for an MSN program?

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Maybe I can't read between the lines, or maybe I'm missing it here:

http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/nursing_2nd_career.php *

but...

I was wondering.

Do you need a BSN to apply for an MSN program? I already have a bachelors in Psychology, if I coupled that with an Associates and become an RN, would that be enough to apply to an MSN program? I would have the education part down having my bachelors and the RN part down if I got my associates and passed the N-Clex - but is it a requirement that you have a bachelors in nursing as opposed to a bachelors in yada yada and an associates in nursing?

*I am aware there are RN-BSN and RN-BSN/MSN combined programs and even 2nd degree non nurses BSN-MSN programs. However, I haven't found anything that said - BS + Associates (RN) = BSN and if you need that BSN to apply to an MSN program.

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There are "straight to MSN" programs available.

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I know, and I know there are other options.

I'm just looking local and the closest thing to me within about a 2 hour radius is the community college that offers as associates. Just wondering in case I do decide to later on explore other options, if I could go straight to an MSN program of would I have to go through some sort of RN-BSN, RN-BSN/MSN type programs first.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

Most MSN programs want you to have a BSN and an ADN and BA does NOT equal that ever. Having said that, I am in the same boat as you. I have a BA in Psych and an ADN. I finally found an MSN program with a reasonable 'pathway' program that makes me a graduate student from the beginning. I have to complete several BSN courses (pathophys, public health, etc) within the program, but at the end will come out with an MSN. It is a bit longer than taking only the MSN courses, but much shorter than doing BSN and MSN separately.

It is all on-line at California State University, Dominguez Hills (csudh.edu). I am a California resident so it is very affordable. They also have a national program that runs $225/unit--still pretty affordable. I have found it to be very impressive so far. The faculty is approachable, well-organized, and funny! They are also over 90% PhD prepared which is great. Check it out!

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Nope! They have "bridge" programs out there! :)

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Specializes in AGNP.

No you do not need a BSN to apply to a MSN program. I have found a few programs that are designed for students with a non-nursing bachelors degree and an associates nursing degree. I am not sure where you are from but here is an example of one of the schools I am looking at:

http://www.gvsu.edu/kcon/index.cfm?id=FA169E8C-D3C4-90A5-BAD224124EBB46B0

This is Grand Valley State University in Michigan. I know of a few schools in Michigan and Indiana have these types of programs. These are pretty much the only 2 states I have investigated since I am from Michigan. With a little research on the internet you should be able to find some programs wherever you are from.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

There are ADN to MSN bridge programs.

As another option, you can see about an Accel BSN (Basically a Bach in another degree to BSN bridge ~14 mos.) program at the same place you want to take your MSN. Possibly, you could overlap some work. I'm not sure which would take longer, it would prob be worth investigating both.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

You might want to research specific schools that you're interested and give the admissions counselors a call. There are quite a few schools in California that offer MSN programs that are willing to consider applicants with Bachelors degrees in fields other than nursing but already have their RN.

Some schools that allow this:

UCSF: http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-ms.htm

USF: http://www.usfca.edu/nursing/gradcurr.html

CSUS: http://www.hhs.csus.edu/NRS/Graduate/Master/master.asp

Samuel Merritt College: http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/depts/nursing/index.cfm

And others...

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The irony is that most "top-ranked" programs

do NOT require an RN with a non-nursing Bachelor's(ie BA)

to have a BSN for admission to the MSN.

To name a few, UCSF, Univ of Wahington(Seattle),

Yale, Case Western , Univ Of Illinois(Chicago)

Columbia(both Teacher's College & the School of Nursing)

I'm told by a faculty friend of mine "in the know"

that it is combo of factors, including the philosophy

of the faculty, most RN's in this country are ADN grads &

the fact is, more & more schools have Masters-entry level

programs for NON nurses, so it would be rather "odd"

for a school of any rank to tell an ADN grad with a BA

in History: "We'll consider you, after you spend 2-3 more

years in school getting your BSN"! I can tell you, that's

the way it was only a few years ago!

Good Luck!:balloons:

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Most MSN programs want you to have a BSN and an ADN and BA does NOT equal that ever. Having said that, I am in the same boat as you. I have a BA in Psych and an ADN. I finally found an MSN program with a reasonable 'pathway' program that makes me a graduate student from the beginning. I have to complete several BSN courses (pathophys, public health, etc) within the program, but at the end will come out with an MSN. It is a bit longer than taking only the MSN courses, but much shorter than doing BSN and MSN separately.

It is all on-line at California State University, Dominguez Hills (csudh.edu). I am a California resident so it is very affordable. They also have a national program that runs $225/unit--still pretty affordable. I have found it to be very impressive so far. The faculty is approachable, well-organized, and funny! They are also over 90% PhD prepared which is great. Check it out!

I'll have to find their online site. I am due to graduate from the LPN-RN program next month and am looking forward to an online RN-MSN program. I was told by the Office of the National Nurse that there are 25 such programs. I just have to find them now. :)

Kelly

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

allnursingschools.com is a paid advertisement website.

to find all collegiate schools, better site to see is american assoc of colleges of nursing:

by state: aacn - membership - member schools

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