Doing Research as an Undergrad - will it help me get into grad school?

[chiasmus100]

Hi guys, in my undergraduate ABSN program I have the opportunity to do research with a dr at the medical school my college is affiliated with. He is an orthopedic surgeon. I want to be an psych NP or nurse anesthetist. Will volunteering as an RA help me to get into a competitive graduate MSN program? Thanks for the advice!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It might ... but maybe not. It will depend on the program you are applying to, and the level of your competition. It's probably not going to elevate you over applicants with more relevant experience, higher grades, higher tests scores, etc. But it is better than nothing.

Also, it depends partly on what type of research it is ... how relevant it is to your career path ... what your role in the research will be ...etc. The fact that it is medical research and not nursing research might be a factor, too, if it means your role will be more limited.

There is just too much "it depends" to say much.

[wellthen]

I've done 3 years of research at my alma mater and it is most helpful is you can get the research published in scholarly journals as a co-author. Trust me it is an advantage.

[mzaur]

Yes it will definitely help you. Work closely with that Dr, and he will write you a great letter of recommendation. It will also look great on your CV. Admissions boards are typically made up of nursing faculty, many of whom also do research (especially if you are applying to a top program like Yale, BC, Vanderbilt, etc.), so having research experience will definitely win you points.