master's degree applying to accel RN programs

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Looking for others with master's degrees in non-nursing fields who are pursuing accelerated RN. I have an MPH and MSW. Am I more likely to be accepted into post bacc RN programs, or should I to apply to master's for RN programs (my state offers no direct entry MSN programs)? Thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.
Looking for others with master's degrees in non-nursing fields who are pursuing accelerated RN. I have an MPH and MSW. Am I more likely to be accepted into post bacc RN programs, or should I to apply to master's for RN programs (my state offers no direct entry MSN programs)? Thanks!

As I understand it, you need to be a licensed RN who graduated from an accredited institution in order to apply for a masters in nursing so that's not going to be an option for you at this time. (Not like how you can do undergrad in Bio and get a masters in anthro if you want. At least you need to already be a licensed RN at every university in my area).

I would suggest doing the accelerated second degree program in your area which is designed for those with a bachelors in another area (obviously you have a bachelors already if you have masters). These vary in length from 12-16 months and you will be eligible for RN licensure upon completion. You will likely have to take prerequisite courses before being accepted to one of these programs (basic bios, chemistries, nutrition etc)

Having a masters in a non nursing field, however, won't help you get a masters of nursing / bachelors of nursing any sooner though versus someone with just another bachelors. Talk to people in the nursing office of programs you're interested in-- they will be able to provide you with the most accurate info.

Good Luck:loveya:

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Thanks for your response. I actually meant to say should I be applying to Master of Nursing programs that provide you with eligibility for the RN licensure. That is, do undergrad post bac programs accept people with post graduate degrees in other fields or do they cater specifically to those with undergrad degrees?

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"As I understand it, you need to be a licensed RN who graduated from an accredited institution in order to apply for a masters in nursing so that's not going to be an option for you at this time. (Not like how you can do undergrad in Bio and get a masters in anthro if you want. At least you need to already be a licensed RN at every university in my area).

I would suggest doing the accelerated second degree program in your area which is designed for those with a bachelors in another area (obviously you have a bachelors already if you have masters). These vary in length from 12-16 months and you will be eligible for RN licensure upon completion. You will likely have to take prerequisite courses before being accepted to one of these programs (basic bios, chemistries, nutrition etc)

Having a masters in a non nursing field, however, won't help you get a masters of nursing / bachelors of nursing any sooner though versus someone with just another bachelors. Talk to people in the nursing office of programs you're interested in-- they will be able to provide you with the most accurate info.

Good Luck:loveya:"

Do you know of any BSN programs, leading to licensure that are online, IN AZ??? I was in the middle (actually the last 1/4) of my grad degree in accounting, before I made the decision to go for my RN (which is what I wanted to do, when I first started my educational career). My undergrad is in info tech.....

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.
Thanks for your response. I actually meant to say should I be applying to Master of Nursing programs that provide you with eligibility for the RN licensure. That is, do undergrad post bac programs accept people with post graduate degrees in other fields or do they cater specifically to those with undergrad degrees?

I have never heard of a Master of Nursing program that will accept people who are not already RNs. There are masters programs for people who already have a BSN or if you got your ADN there are programs that are RN to MSN but you do have to take more classes than people who have a BSN (it's basically like the bachelors and masters in one). Some programs offer a BSN and masters in one but again you MUST complete all the undergraduate nursing courses which lead to RN licensure before you will complete any masters level nursing courses.

I'm not sure if I understand your question fully. The second degree nursing degrees are accelerated and are designed for a people who already hold a bachelors in another area. The fact that you have a masters in addition to a bachelors in another area will not be an advantage or allow you to skip nursing classes or anything. You still must do all undergraduate nursing courses. I have friends with masters and bachelors in other area and know people with just bachelors in another area. They entered the same second degree for nursing program and take the same exact classes.

Maybe if I clarify that second degree programs let people graduate with a BSN, but they are only composed of nursing courses and clinicals. Presumably everyone satisfied the general education courses (math, english, history, social science etc) with their first undergrad degree so you don't have to take those. It's only nursing courses at the undergrad level and once you complete them you're eligible to sit for NCLEX testing to become an RN. Then you would be eligible to take masters level nursing courses to pursue a MSN if that's what you want to do.

Hopefully that helped clear things up a bit. Sorry I'm not trying to be confusing but sometimes it can be hard to communicate online vs in person.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.
Do you know of any BSN programs, leading to licensure that are online, IN AZ??? I was in the middle (actually the last 1/4) of my grad degree in accounting, before I made the decision to go for my RN (which is what I wanted to do, when I first started my educational career). My undergrad is in info tech.....

I'm not sure what's out there in Arizona since I don't live there. The only online college for nursing I'm aware of is Excelsior but you have to do clinicals in person at certain sites. I'm also unsure about their accreditation.

Maybe people in the Arizona forum could help you out. What I will tell you is that since you have an undergrad degree if it's a bachelors and not an associates you would be eligible for a "second career second degree" type of program. Most of the large state and private universities in Michigan that have a nursing program have this type of degree. These are just composed of all the undergrad nursing courses since presumably you satisfied all the general education requirements with your first bachelors. These programs last anywhere from 12-16 months depending on the institution. They are full time (17+ credits per semester the whole time here). While a class or two may have an online option these are like a traditional on site degree/

If that seems like too much stress you could either pursue a traditional bachelors in nursing and would just have to take the nursing courses so they would be spread out over a few years. Again a class or two may be online but this is also a traditional on site degree option.

Another option is always to get your associates at a local community college. This would be much less expensive and would be fewer courses but again most if not all courses would be taken at the campus. All of these options would lead you to becoming a RN.

Good luck with your decision-- hopefully someone on here might know more about online programs than I do.

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Actually, there are many programs throughout the US that enables individuals with previous Bachelors/Masters degree in other fields to apply to direct entry Masters programs in nursing. I actually just finished applying to various Accelerated Masters programs and I have a BA in a non-nursing field. My BA was in cultural anthropology. I'm not sure where you want to attend school, but you could go to your local community college and the counselors will most likely have information for you. For most programs, the first part of the program will usually be quite vigorous which enables the students to site for the NCLEX to get their RN license. Once finished, the students continue onto the Masters portion of the program. It all depends on the particular program. Some are non-degree to RN to MSN and some will enable you to get a BSN and MSN. The length of each program varies.

Here's a link that gives a brief description on "accelerated bachelors and masters" nursing programs..

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/AcceleratedProg.htm

Hope this helps..

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.
Actually, there are many programs throughout the US that enables individuals with previous Bachelors/Masters degree in other fields to apply to direct entry Masters programs in nursing. I actually just finished applying to various Accelerated Masters programs and I have a BA in a non-nursing field. My BA was in cultural anthropology. I'm not sure where you want to attend school, but you could go to your local community college and the counselors will most likely have information for you. For most programs, the first part of the program will usually be quite vigorous which enables the students to site for the NCLEX to get their RN license. Once finished, the students continue onto the Masters portion of the program. It all depends on the particular program. Some are non-degree to RN to MSN and some will enable you to get a BSN and MSN. The length of each program varies.

Here's a link that gives a brief description on "accelerated bachelors and masters" nursing programs..

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/AcceleratedProg.htm

Hope this helps..

Thanks for passing that along for her. I have never heard of any of these programs (as you can see I scrolled through and there is nothing like that accelerated masters in Michigan at all (though I assume you still have to do undergraduate level nursing course work in addition to masters level in these programs))

I love learning things so it's interesting to learn that those type of programs do exist outside of my state! That's why I am so glad that there are people from all over on these boards since what's true one place isn't true in the next.

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Hi WayneStateKatie,

Ur welcome! I love these forums too! I've learned so much about so many things concerning nursing. I'm actually from CA and all the schools I've applied to are within my state. In CA, there are soooo many direct-entry masters programs for non-nursing students. However, I know many other states that have these kinds of programs. They exist all over the US. I think there are many "second career" individuals out there and these programs are becoming more popular by the year.

You are right when you pointed out that the individuals who enter these accelerated programs must do undergraduate nursing coursework in order to be able to sit for the NCLEX.

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Thanks for your input. In my state we have several post bac programs for applicants with a bachelors in another field who do not have an RN. The majority of these are undergraduate and give you a certificate with eligibility to sit for the RN licensure exam. Two of these programs are at the master's level. At the end of the program, you have a master's degree in Nursing (MN or MSN without having advanced practice education) and are eligible to sit for the RN licensure. We have no direct entry MSN or DNP programs here (bummer!). My original question was if you already have a master's degree in a related field, are undergraduate post bac programs likely to accept you or would they be more likely to direct you to a master's level post bac program?

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Thanks for your input. In my state we have several post bac programs for applicants with a bachelors in another field who do not have an RN. The majority of these are undergraduate and give you a certificate with eligibility to sit for the RN licensure exam. Two of these programs are at the master's level. At the end of the program, you have a master's degree in Nursing (MN or MSN without having advanced practice education) and are eligible to sit for the RN licensure. We have no direct entry MSN or DNP programs here (bummer!). My original question was if you already have a master's degree in a related field, are undergraduate post bac programs likely to accept you or would they be more likely to direct you to a master's level post bac program?

I don't think your previous master's degree will affect the likeliness or unlikeliness that a program will accept you or not for an undergraduate post bac program. Not for the schools that I've applied to at least. I know several people who have master's but are applying to accelerated BSN programs and some who are applying to master's level post bac program. It all depends on the individual's own choice and what is more appropriate for their lives. I chose the master's level programs because I want to go into teaching eventually. Others take the undergraduate post bac programs because they want to get their BSNs to do bedside nursing and have time constraints (these programs are faster). Therefore, I really think it's up to you and the schools don't really push you towards a specific track.

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Thx Waynestatekatie--

I need to be able to do an affordable, online BSN towards licensure.....Do you, (or anyone else) know of an online program for the BSN, leading to licensure?? Or a program in AZ?

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