Looking into direct entry MSN programs. I need help with thoughts and chances

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 9, 2010

Moved to the post-grad forum (vs. the GN forum) to encourage responses.

careerchanger22 · Feb 9, 2010

Hi!

I applied to the Simmons DE program in Boston and looked at other schools also. From what I have read you need a 3.0 to be competative, BUT I think they weigh your prereq GPA heavier than your over all. How did you do in the other prereqs that you have taken? Also, strong recommendations and personal statement weigh well.

Im waiting to hear whether or not I got into school so I cant tell you what works and what doesnt. But, from my research of schools that is what I have found. Hope this helps!

UVA Grad Nursing · Feb 9, 2010

Each school will use different criteria and weighting. For the DE program at Virginia, we have accepted a handful of students with GPAs under a 3.0 over the past 5 years. Most of these had several years work experience in healthcare (for example as an OR tech, paramedic/fireman, Peace Corps volunteer, navy medic in Iraq, etc).

We have found, however, that the undergraduate GPA and the grades in A&P are the best predictors of success in our DE program. Students in our DE programs are graduate students from day one, and a B is a considered a passing grade. Any grades below B- makes a student eligible for dismissal. A few years ago I did a multivariable analysis of any graduate student ho received any grade under a B, and the undergraduate GPA has the highest predictive ability (R value and betaweight).

Each school is different though.

beaconshome · Feb 10, 2010

Thank you for the responses. It's not like I'm a bad student at all, most of my grades exceed a BC with they exception of my P. Chem classes (F,F), Instrumental Analysis (D), Physics (D, CD), and Inorganic (CD). It seems like thats a lot but only those few classes out of 5 years of schooling have brought my GPA to where it is. I am sure I could do well in the pre-reqs once I begin to take them. I also saw though on the MGH website that they don't accept credit after 5 years for some courses. That could be a problem seeing that I took general chemistry 5 years ago. However I have had 3 semesters of organic chemistry within 5 years, do you think that would count? Thanks again!

allnurses Guide · Feb 10, 2010

Hi,

I graduated from a direct entry MSN program last year. My undergrad GPA was not great, but I had some very valuable work experience and did get all As on my pre-reqs. I had to re-take a bunch of the pre-reqs cause of the 5 year rule, but that gave me an opportunity to show that I could excel in courses that were pertinent to nursing. So take your pre-reqs, do well, and go from there. If you don't get in right away, find a job (paying or volunteer) in healthcare to gain some insight and experience, and then try again.

Best of luck to you!

jmooney1 · Mar 4, 2010

Hey Everyone!!
I'm still a little new here but I have been doing a lot of research regarding direct entry MSN programs. This fall I am finally graduating from college and I am so happy. It's been a long road for me especially with medical difficulties (a brain tumor), but it's almost here! This is currently my 5th year of college and I was a chemistry major for 4 years before deciding to switch to a psychology major. Unfortunately I didn't do so stellar in my physical chemistry class (failed) thus the decision to a psychology major. At graduation I will have a psychology major and chemistry minor. My cumulative GPA as you would expect from failing classes isn't stellar as well, 2.73 currently. I was very proud of myself last semester making a 3.5 GPA and the dean's list!!! Anyways, I have a few pre-reqs to take before applying to nursing programs (A&P 1&2, microbiology, etc.), but I really wanted to ask what are my chances of getting into a direct entry MSN program? I would really like to implement my psychology degree so I would prefer to go into psychiatric nursing. Programs I have been looking into have been MGH, Vanderbilt, etc. Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Hi! I'm in the same situation. I have a BA in Math from Northeastern, and didn't do too well in a few upper level math classes. I have Number Theory: D-, Real Analysis: D. This left me with a 2.987 overall gpa. The bulk of my math classes are in the C's. I ONLY have C and lower in math classes. All other classes are at least a B, and most are A or A-. I do have strong professional experience working as a patient transporter in a large medical center (2 years), working as a community health outreach worker in community health centers (1 year as AmeriCorps and 1 year as NU Co-op), I worked in a school for special needs children for 6 months, I volunteer with my local medical reserve corps and I will be looking for a position as a medical assistant for the next 2 years while I complete my pre direct entry nursing requirements.

I need to take all of the pre-nursing usual requirements:bio,microbio, chem, orgo, social science, a &p. If I ace these requirements, do I have a fighting chance? Does anyone know of people with gpas under 3.0 that got in?

allnurses Guide · Mar 5, 2010

Yes, you definitely have a chance if you ace your pre-reqs. That's what I did and I was accepted to every program I applied to. Your current work and volunteer experience will also carry a lot of weight. Where are you planning on taking your pre-reqs?

jmooney1 · Mar 5, 2010

I'm in the Boston area, so I'm looking at UMass Boston, Harvard Extension School and Simmons College (Dix Scholars). Do you know anyone who went to these programs? I'm concerned about the high price tag of Harvard/Simmons, but I think they have more flexible course schedules than UMB.

allnurses Guide · Mar 5, 2010

I did my pre-reqs at Mass Bay CC and Massasoit CC. Don't waste your money taking them at big name schools. You'll need it for the NP school!!

beaconshome · Mar 9, 2010

Thank you for the additional comments. The insight and knowledge is much appreciated. I do have another question though...I hear about this 2015 date when the switch from a master's to docotorate degree is needed to become a NP. Does that mean I would need to have completed all my master's level courses before that date to make the master's level cutoff? Or how does that exactly work? Or can I be in school earning my master's level NP degree as long as it's not after 2015?

Thanks for your help

elkpark · Mar 9, 2010

Thank you for the additional comments. The insight and knowledge is much appreciated. I do have another question though...I hear about this 2015 date when the switch from a master's to docotorate degree is needed to become a NP. Does that mean I would need to have completed all my master's level courses before that date to make the master's level cutoff? Or how does that exactly work? Or can I be in school earning my master's level NP degree as long as it's not after 2015?
Thanks for your help

This is still a proposal by a few academic nursing organizations -- nothing definite. It is quite a ways from being mandatory so far. However, hypothetically, if the DNP-as-entry-level became mandatory, you would have to be completed with your studies and apply for certification prior to the date of the official changeover in order to qualify. I'm sure that, if it does come to pass, schools will counsel students about whether or not they can complete their studies in time to make the deadline and what their options are.