Masters Entry Level Nursing Program

Moved for more of a response.

Hey alexisash,

I was in a similar position. I worked in a clinical psychology research lab for 3 years (intending on applying to PhD programs) only to realize that I'd much rather be a family psych NP.

I applied to 6 direct entry programs this year, I have been accepted to 3 programs and the other 3 programs interviewed or will interview me (I'm still waiting to hear back from one and have interviews lined up at the other two).

I'd suggest volunteering in a hospital and making sure you get high grades in your prerequisite courses. A good GRE score doesn't hurt, either. I think my research background really impressed a lot of programs, so I'd try and highlight that (if you've done research in your program). Honestly, I think I would have been accepted without the hospital volunteer experience, just based off of my clinical psych experience.

In terms of applying, I think your goal statement and your letters of rec are the most important. Choose your recommenders wisely. Make sure your goal statement states your career goals (lol seems obvious) in a clear way and ties in how your background and this nursing program will allow you to reach them.

Good luck! :)

thank you so much for your thoughtful and extremely helpful response. I really appreciate your taking the time to help me through the process...

Good luck to you too! It sounds like you are on your way to a successful career!

There are so many programs out there. It seems like each one is looking for a slightly different candidate. Recognize your strengths and highlight them! I recently was accepted into a program that wasn't looking for experience, but that you were able to handle a heavy workload of an accelerated program, and that you are passionate about becoming a nurse.

I will second what the other posters here have said! It is very important that you show you are passionate about becoming a nurse and about your specialty field. I didn't have stellar grades or GRE score, and I had just started working as a PCA when I applied to school. However, I was sure to point out that I am very passionate about the field I want to go into. Shoot, I mentioned the heaps of books I have read on midwifery since I became interested in it. I may not have physical midwifery experience, so I needed to point out what I did in order to prove that I really am interested in this field. Show them that you will make a great advanced practice nurse. Explain what you have done in your past and how it ties into the qualities that are required to make a good nurse. And yes, tell them all about how great you are (but watch that fine line between arrogance and confidence). And definitely do a some research on the school and mention why are you are interested in that school in particular. Even if it's just one or two sentences, they want to see that you haven't just sent out a generic statement to all schools.

And now that I went back and read your question, I will add this. I don't know how much time you are willing to take in order to gain this experience, but I highly recommend becoming a PCA/PCT/CNA. It is a 2 week class, and the job will give you so much insight into what goes into being a nurse, especially if you work at a hospital. Again, I took a year off between school because I knew I wanted this experience and needed to save money to get a car! :) I don't know if you have that much time, and if you don't, there are plenty of other ways to get into the medical field: look at volunteering in hospitals all over your city, in clinics, or some busy doctors' offices even offer volunteering positions.

I wish you luck as you begin your journey and apply to schools!!!

Hi,

I was wondering what programs you applied to? I have a background in Research & Psychology also. I'm searching for Master's programs for Non Nurses. I'm not an RN. Any ideas?

So you want to become a psych NP, correct? Since you already have a bachelors and are not an RN, you want to enter a direct entry (or, as this thread is titled, "masters entry" program). There are direct entry MSN programs at OHSU, Seattle U, UCSF, Penn, Boston College, Yale, Columiba, Rochester, UIC, etc.

I just started my program (about a month in), and it's crazy, but I'm loving it. If you know nursing is what you want and psych NP is your goal, I say go for it! :)