Johns Hopkins 2015 ABSN & Masters Entry

rockko · Mar 3, 2015

I got letter that says I'm in the wait list a couple days ago. Since is the last ABSN, they should let everyone in!

snailszy · Mar 3, 2015

I'm curious to know why did you guys choose to apply for the ABSN program, not the Masters Entry?

dcwang · Mar 3, 2015

@ mayrar87. Congrats! I haven't decided yet... by chance are you UCLA alum too?

dcwang · Mar 3, 2015

@ snailszy[COLOR=#000000]. I don't think it's worth it financially to go to a private school for 2 yrs when I can get my RN in a year. I'd like to have as little debt as possible for my education (fortunately I have 0 as of now). I can always go back for my master's. That being said, when applying to jobs, both Master's entry graduates and ABSN graduates are both new grads unless the school offers some sort of job after the first year, which I believe hopkins did with paid clinical residency. Also, a lot of master's entry are generalist master's entry or CNL without specialization. Some may be direct entry NP which gives you MSN, but I don't think it's worth it to go directly through when I can start working with a BSN and get tuition reimbursement and work while I get my NP if I choose that route. If the NP program was a MSN program, I'd prefer one which awards a BSN along the way.

In addition, I am not sure what specialty I wish to pursue and with Obamacare, I feel uncertain what' s going to happen in near future. Lastly, I am considering pursuing CRNA, and going the ABSN route would make more sense. [/COLOR]

Mrunner15 · Mar 3, 2015

@charming_kitty, I have wondered the same thing. It seems that there are more job opportunities with a MSN vs BSN, and I like that JHU offers opportunities in global health, but I still am questioning whether it's worth an extra year of schooling and tuition to still only be licensed as an RN. I would assume that getting the MSN knocks off one year of the DNP (2 years to get the DNP instead of 3 with the BSN). Someone correct me if I am wrong!!

dcwang · Mar 3, 2015

@Mrunner15[COLOR=#000000]. I believe that it was supposed to be changed to DNP by 2015, apparently it didn't happen. Wouldn't wanna spend 4 yrs straight in school. That's like going to med school LOL I believe different states have different regulations regarding DNP/MSN as well. I do not think all master's nurses earn more, particularly if you do a generalist master's or CNL (which a lot of nurses don't even know about) because the entry level BSN and MSNs seem to be grouped together as new grads when applying to jobs. [/COLOR]

rockko · Mar 3, 2015

I think the BSN will open the opportunity to become a generalist first so you can get experience in the hospital or community setting. It will be the foundation that would help one to decided which is the specialty you really like. I'd love to chose a different masters from the CNL that is provided in most master entry programs. Having a bsn from Hopkins will also open other doors for future academic and professional opportunities.

One of the downturns about getting the BSN happens in the job arena, one has to compete with people who holds an MSN.

My only concern about getting into a ABSN program is the reduced financial help. One gets more access to loans when entering a MSN program, but the loans are limited for second bachelors.

Personally, I have been very open about the opportunities that are available, since entering into nursing schools is highly competitive.

PinkEagle · Mar 4, 2015

LOL, I find all this talk about tuition completely futile considering the fact that this is a forum for Johns Hopkins and the ABSN program is well over $70K and this amount does not even include room and board, books, travel and living expenses :sarcastic: (that could total $100K or more!)! And the worst part is that because this is a second bachelor degree, federal aid is very limited.

I personally applied to a mixture of CNL and BSN programs, but I leaning more towards CNL. I know that the CNL is still an entry level nurse. I will be competing for the same jobs as other new nurses and have just as much to learn when I start! The difference is an ADDED (not replaced) emphasis on critical thinking - which, after some experience, will help me "climb the ladder" but more importantly - help promote evidenced based practice!

As another person posted, "Right now CNL is the new kid on the block and there is a bit of fear, misunderstanding, and lack of information where it is concerned."

Dmacnurse2b · Mar 4, 2015

Congrats to everyone who got in!!

snailszy · Mar 4, 2015

Thank you for all of your input. I am still awaiting my status for the Masters Entry, and I've heard SO many conflicting reasons about bsn vs. Msn.

If accepted, I'd be going into the MSN program with hopes of matriculating into the NP licensure portion without a LOA. Total would be 3 years- same amount as it would take to get a bsn, msn, and NP license at both csula and mgh IHP. But JHU has the better "name."

I talked with a hiring manager at chla and she informed me that she doesn't know at where the applicants go to school but the experiences of the applicant at that school. That is one person's opinion though and it makes this decision a lot harder.

But anyhoo, I feel like this talk is irrelevant to this JHU thread soo I'll stop the discussion. I'm so nervous since I haven't heard anything about The direct entry program yet!

Mrunner15 · Mar 4, 2015

@snailszy, I was not aware that it's an option for the Master's Entry students to enter the NP track at the end of their initial 2 years. Did I understand you correctly?

swirl2015 · Mar 5, 2015

I was not aware of this option either. I was disappointed when I found out Hopkins discontinued their combined bsn/msn program and didn't offer a direct entry program to practice as an advanced practice nurse. I currently live in Maryland and would have loved to stay here, but got accepted to Columbia's ETP program where I will be able to graduate as a Advanced Family Nurse Practioner in 2.5 years as a non nursing degree student. BSN in 1 year and FNP-MSN in 1.5 years. Hopkins would've been my #1 choice otherwise. Reading this thread I thought I missed something because some people seem to be under the impression that you can directly enter NP track afterwards and Hopkins doesn't seem to offer that option without you having to reapply all over again.