Help!

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

You'll never find any accredited online schools without experience of being a nurse. There are many Master-Entry-Programs for the non-nurse that require a bachelors and experience in the medical field to be competitive. Just know, though, those "MEPN" programs are very competitive and they do their undergraduate within one year (intense).

CDEWannaBe · Feb 26, 2014

In my area the masters programs require you to have a current nursing license to apply. I think you'd have a hard time find a job with and MSN but no nursing experience.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

It is my understanding that to get into a MSN program you need to be a RN first. Whether it is an ADN or BSN you need to get that. And you will have to do clinicals which will require you to be away from home to obtain the RN. Most MSN programs want you to have some bedside experience. I think some even require critical care experience which can take years to get. I would do some research on it and talk to schools but you will have to be able to do clinicals.

BusiestBSN · Feb 26, 2014

It is my understanding that to get into a MSN program you need to be a RN first.

There are direct entry MSN programs where the students have previous non nursing bachelor degrees. They are very general MSN programs (specializing in leadership) and very competitive/intensive. Examples of schools that offer this are Emory University, University of Maryland and Rush University.

OP, the closest type of "online program" I have seen for those who are NOT already licensed as RNs are hybrid programs. A school near me offers this set up where all lectures are online & students come to campus or labs or meet at the hospital for clinicals.

Your other option is to see of any school around you offers evening or weekend programs, where you would only have class/lab/clinical on the weekdays after 5 pm or on the weekends.

Because you are limited, I would look at schools in your area to see if any of these options are available.

RunBabyRN · Feb 27, 2014

I would strongly advise you to consider either an aBSN program then your MSN, or attending an in-class MSN program. Would you really want someone treating you or your family that achieved their MSN (with no prior RN) online?? I know I wouldn't!! Yikes!

meeep, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

Direct entry MSN programs are extremely rigorous and time consuming. I don't know of any that offer strictly evening courses. You may be able to find a part time RN program, but most that I have seen (in my area) that offer evening classes are LPN programs. If that is really all your schedule will allow, maybe do LPN and then bridge to RN, then bridge to MSN. The bridge programs can be found online. You will have to attend clinicals in person regardless of the route you choose. Your best bet is to research schools close to you and see what is offered.

EJhox8 · Feb 28, 2014

Thank you all so much for your help!

After reading the comments, and doing some more research I found that there were associates degrees for nursing.

Would it be a good idea to go through an Associates degree for nursing and then go to a Master's program while working?

I was actually doubting online programs because of the lack of hands-on experience. Thank you for reassuring :)

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2014

If you are still interested in a direct entry program ( one that leads to a MSN) there is Saint Louis U. I got into their program. It is 5 semesters ( 21 months) and at the end I receive a MSN degree. These kind of programs are not for everyone but I did not want to pay for another BS degree. Plus I wanted to be in the workforce by Sept. 2016.

I saw do you research and consider all programs. I considered associate degree, ABSN, and direct entry programs and I just picked the one that was best for me and fit best with my goals.