M.S. in different field to RN, then what's the best move?

tmwilliams84 · Apr 23, 2011

I would suggest an online MSN program,look on website www.bhrsa.gov. They may have a scholarship program for you. I hope this helps.

tferdaise · Apr 26, 2011

Regarding degress, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job with your current Masters. To save the heartache, get your ADN RN, and you shouldnt have a problem getting aid. Having a Undergrad (what is it in) and a Masters already will help you get your foot in the door. Its the education they are looking not really the degree. I would also suggest, getting your CNA and getting a job at a local hospital, this will give you experience working with patients and when you get your RN, the hospital will more than likely hire you over someone else.

I have a Bachelor (2007) and Master's in Criminal Justice (2010) and would like to go back and get a nursing degree, but I am getting more confused on what direction I should take after researching this more. I do not live near a school that offers an entry-level MSN program, but would my original plan work? It was to go to a local community college and get an (Associate's) RN. I should meet some pre-req's in Psych, but will have to take a few science courses, before being admitted into the RN program. After I complete the RN program and take the test, I was going to look for employment as a RN. My concern is this: is this the best path to take? Will having a BS and MS in a different field mean that I can then bypass BSN and go for a MSN? Or do I have to completey start from scratch all over again?
Also, the community college admissions rep said I should definitely qualify for financial aid but I am reading that I may not? My undergrad financial aid was near its maximum, but then when I got my masters I didn't need to worry about that, as I was then eligible for more aid with a graduate degree. Does this mean I may not qualify for financial aid at the community college, afterall?
Also, I'm reading that more hospitals are prefering BSNs over RNs. Will getting a RN and having a BS and MS in another field likely help with that?
Any guidance on these matters will be gratly appreciated!
Thanks!
:)

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I have a Bachelor (2007) and Master's in Criminal Justice (2010) and would like to go back and get a nursing degree, but I am getting more confused on what direction I should take after researching this more. I do not live near a school that offers an entry-level MSN program, but would my original plan work? It was to go to a local community college and get an (Associate's) RN. I should meet some pre-req's in Psych, but will have to take a few science courses, before being admitted into the RN program. After I complete the RN program and take the test, I was going to look for employment as a RN. My concern is this: is this the best path to take? Will having a BS and MS in a different field mean that I can then bypass BSN and go for a MSN? Or do I have to completey start from scratch all over again?
Also, the community college admissions rep said I should definitely qualify for financial aid but I am reading that I may not? My undergrad financial aid was near its maximum, but then when I got my masters I didn't need to worry about that, as I was then eligible for more aid with a graduate degree. Does this mean I may not qualify for financial aid at the community college, afterall?
Also, I'm reading that more hospitals are prefering BSNs over RNs. Will getting a RN and having a BS and MS in another field likely help with that?
Any guidance on these matters will be gratly appreciated!
Thanks!
:)

*** I would suggest an accelerated BSN. They can be done in 12-18 months. The ADN would be my second choice. FYI there is no such thing as "prefering BSNs over RNs". RN is a liscensed registered nurse. They may have one of several types of degrees or no degree at all in the case of diploma grads but they are all RNs. What I think you mean is that some hospitals are prefering RNs with BSN vs RNs with ADNs and the answer is yes, at least in many places and mostly for new grads. Experience beats out degrees most times.

If you do the ADN you will NOT have to get a BSN in order to get an MSN. This is true weather or not you currently have degrees in other fields. You can directly to MSN either way. There is no requirment to have a bachelors degree in order to earn an MSN.

Your other degrees will mean nothing in nursing. They will not be considered for pay or hiring purposes and they will not give you a leg up when being considered for a position, unless maybe you are applying for a nursing job in a jail, but even then I doubt it.

I don't know about the financial aid.

elkpark · Apr 26, 2011

If you do the ADN you will NOT have to get a BSN in order to get an MSN. This is true weather or not you currently have degrees in other fields. You can directly to MSN either way. There is no requirment to have a bachelors degree in order to earn an MSN.

Just to clarify, there are some schools that don't require a BSN in order to get into an MSN program. There are plenty of schools that do. While one would have a much narrower range of schools from which to choose, it is possible to get into a graduate school with either a) no BSN, but a BA/BS in another subject, or b) no baccalaureate degree at all). But the individual with a BSN has a much wider range of choices (for grad school) available.

OP, I would encourage you to talk to all the nursing schools in your area (ADN, traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, direct-entry MSN if there is one) and see which one is best going to meet your particular needs/situation. There are so many individual variables to consider that, IMO, there's no one, single answer to the question, "Which is the best?" In general, one is better off, these days, with a BSN than an ADN -- but if the BSN program is going to cost two or three times as much as the ADN program, that should be factored into the consideration. Etc., etc., etc. ...

I agree that you should not expect your previous degrees to have much impact/benefit in your nursing career. I understand that's v. frustrating for people in your situation, but I encourage you to turn the scenario around -- how much would a nursing degree help you in a career in criminal justice?? I also agree with the suggestion that you get CNA certification and get a CNA job -- that will give you more exposure to healthcare and an opportunity to get a more informed view of whether you really want to pursue nursing (it's certainly not for everyone :)), and may give you an edge in hiring as a new graduate later on.

Welcome to allnurses, and best wishes for your journey! :balloons:

nurse.sandi · May 1, 2011

I would suggest a second bs degree program for the bsn. You already have a ms but that is not going to help much without a bsn. If you do a adn, sit for boards get rn you can work the same as if you have a bsn, unless you are in Oregon. I did it opposite. I have lpn, adn, bs, and a ms. Now I am in a doctorate program. There is no guarantee in any field of getting a job.