Majoring in physiology, then mastering in nursing?

elkpark · Nov 30, 2010

There are accelerated BSN programs and "direct-entry" MSN programs for people who already have a BA/BS in something else but want to become nurses. However, those programs are usually v. competitive and rigorous -- if your grades are creating a problem for you getting into a "regular" nursing program, it's likely you will also have a problem getting accepted into an accelerated BSN or direct-entry MSN program (unless you significantly improve your GPA in the physiology program, of course -- I'm assuming that's your plan?)

Accelerated BSN programs condense the same nursing content (classroom and clinical) as a traditional nursing program into a shorter, more intense length of time -- they are typically 12-18 months of full-time study (depending on the individual school). You transfer in courses from your previous BA/BS degree to meet the school's general education requirements to complete the degree.

Most MSN programs are for people who are already licensed RNs -- you wouldn't be able to get into just any MSN program; it would have to be a program specifically designed for non-nurses, and not every school that has an MSN program has an option for non-nurses. But there are plenty of them out there, especially if you're open to relocating to go to school. Some direct-entry MSNs prepare people just to get the same RN license as everyone else and start working as a bedside nurse; some prepare people as "clinical nurse leaders," which is a new and somewhat controversial role that is not being widely used around the country so far, and some offer concentrations in the various advanced practice specialties -- you start out as a non-nurse and graduate as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse midwife (and there are a very few direct-entry programs that offer a nurse anesthetist concentration, but those are more complicated and take longer). There are a lot of existing threads on this board about the pros and cons of these programs and non-nurses going directly into advanced practice. The direct-entry MSN programs are typically two or three year programs (again, depending on the individual school, and whether it's a generalist or specialty (advanced practice) program).

If your goal is to get licensed and start working ASAP, an accelerated BSN program will take a lot less time (and probably cost less) than a direct-entry MSN program.

Best wishes for your journey!

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 30, 2010

The coursework for physiology majors is (IMHO) a lot tougher than nursing pre-req coursework. If you can pull off decent grades while finishing that degree, that should count for something at schools willing to look beyond an unqualified GPA. An overall 2.8 GPA with a physiology degree versus an overall 3.2 GPA with nothing but the bare minimum of nursing pre-reqs and a bunch of basketweaving courses... who's the better bet as a student? Some schools will take into consideration if you performed well in your pre-req coursework even if your overal GPA is low. Some won't and look only at the numbers, which makes it tough for folks who had a bad start in school. Of course, if you're just going to get more bad grades going forward, it will be hard to make any alternate plan work!

caliotter3 · Nov 30, 2010

Hope that you are able to deal with and overcome whatever deficiencies caused you to do poorly before you attempt to tackle physiology as a major.