entry level MSN

[wannabe26]

I was looking for advice. As a child/in high school I always saw myself as a doctor. I attended college and earned my BA in Biology. I however, no longer wanted to be a doctor upon graduation, but I knew that I wanted to be in the health profession. I've been in the Air Force the past four years and am reaching my separation date. I'm getting so excited about begining a new career in a field that I feel passionate about. The problem is my location. I will be with my husband near Santa Barbara/Santa Maria and I can't find any direct entry MSN programs that are within a reasonable distance. I don't mind a commute of an hour each way maximum.

If someone knows of a program in the area, I'd love to hear it! From my research, I haven't come accross any. I'm wondering if it makes sense to become an RN, there are community colleges in the area for that. And then do an online program to eventually become a nurse practioner or clinical nurse specialist? Does that sound doable? I'm also concerned because I feel like if persue that route, the only thing available would be RN to BSN and then BSN to MSN programs and that is frustrating to me since I studied at a University for 4 years and have a science degree. And I know there are programs out there for people with a non-nursing bachelor degree.

Anything anyone has to offer would really be appreciated! Thanks so much

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Going off the first Google search I entered, I found a number of sites with lists of nursing schools, including which schools offer what programs. (I used a few of these sites to find the schools in my state when I was applying to my Master's Entry program.) However, the one that looks like the most useful/informative to me is the one from the California state BON, and if they don't know about a program, it doesn't really exist. Now, I don't know where you live in relation to any of these schools, but I figure an intelligent woman should be able to plug in addresses to Google Maps and find out for herself.

As for alternate routes besides hopping in to get your DE-MSN, you can get your ADN and RN and then do the route you outlined, or go straight to an RN-MSN program. OR you could complete an accelerated BSN program and then get your masters. However, going for the Master's right off the bat opens up the possibility of getting Federally-backed GradPLUS loans which have a much higher debt ceiling than Stafford loans - though, as a soon to be former servicewoman, you may want to see what you get under the current GI Bill first.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I was looking for advice. As a child/in high school I always saw myself as a doctor. I attended college and earned my BA in Biology. I however, no longer wanted to be a doctor upon graduation, but I knew that I wanted to be in the health profession.

this is me as well. I worked for 3 years after graduating and am now just starting a DE-MSN program.

I looked at DE-BSN programs as well, but decided to go to the MSN route.

Is moving not an option for you and your husband. My husband and I just moved so I would be closer to school (and it also worked out that he would be closer to his job with the move as well).

Also, do you have the appropriate pre-reqs needed for these types of programs? Even though I was a bio major, I was still lacking a few courses needed to apply. I'd make sure you have the courses necessary before you start thinking about applying.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

oh and also try posting this on the California board. You might get more responses with schools and programs that are in your area.

Good luck with everything!

[wannabe26]

I just wanted to say thank you to you both for the information.

That's what I have been doing... looking up programs and figuring out how far they would be from where I am. We will be moving near Lompoc, CA. He is still in the Air Force and that is where the base is. We talked about living in Santa Barbara, if there were more opportunities for me there. He would have to commute an hour north daily and I could possibly commute further south. It seems like the closest thing is still 100+ miles away and from past experience in California, I know the traffic is awful and that 1.5 hour commute is more like 3 hours.

I have noticed I will need a couple of classes, despite my science degree depending on the school. Since I don't know which one I would go to, I haven't started that because the courses I would need vary. I'm still a little ways out before I would like to apply. I want to get things figured out so I can start on those pre-requisites, though.

I guess I was just really hoping someone knew of a school I hadn't heard of. We are willing to live north of the base as well, but it seems like there isn't anything up there either.

We really don't want to not live together because we know we both would miss each other too much and financially it sounds tough to afford two places in a state as expensive as California.

Anyway, seems like I have a lot more to figure out. Thanks again!

[Wanna-B-Nurse]

Hello,

My husband works at Vandenberg too and I have been trying to start a nursing program also. Unfortunately the 2 closest universities (Cal Poly & UC Santa Barbara) do not have nursing programs. I beleive the closest one that does is in Bakersfield. The only programs with in an hour of the base are at community colleges and they have waitlists. Like you I don't want to live separately from my husband so I am on the waitlist at Allan Hancock in Santa Maria and at Santa Barbara City College. Good luck to you!