Master's entry programs vs. Bachelor's Programs

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Hello everyone! My name is Laura, and I just registered here after reading these messageboards for a few weeks.

I am trying to make a decision about where to go to nursing school. I was just accepted into Vanderbilt's Master's of Nursing Program in Midwifery, which I am very excited about. However, it is extremely expensive, and I am trying to decide if it is worth it. It's a 6-semester program. After the first 3 semesters I would take the NCLEX and become an RN. The remaining 3 semesters would be spent in the midwifery specialty.

The other option is to go to a cheaper school, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, for 1.5-2 years, get a Bachelor's of Nursing Degree, take the NCLEX and become an RN, then work for a few years and go back to school to get the master's degree.

I have no nursing experience. I have been taking my pre-requisites at a local community college and will start my program, whichever one I decide on, this fall.

My question is: is it better to get the lower degree first, gain some experience, and return for the master's? Or is it worth the money to just do it all up front?

Any advice is greatly greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

-Laura

I'm about to start one of these programs (direct NNP) and therefore, acknowledge that I know essentially nothing. My .02, though, is that I think it is possible to be successful coming out of one of these, if one is the right kind of person. By that I mean the kind of person who is willing not to jump right into practice for a while and work as a staff RN, the kind of person who respects the judgment and experience of her co-workers, the kind of person who isn't cocky just because they went to Columbia, or Yale, or wherever. I'm headed to the Columbia program, and yes, it's a top school, and yes, I'm sure the program's great, but you can be darn sure I'm going to work as a staff nurse when I'm done, for as long as it takes for me to feel ready. And yes, I hear you saying "but not everyone will do that", but I submit to you that people who are so arrogant to think they can practice independantly (esp in a NICU!) after three years of school and no real experience would be dangerous in ANY nursing capacity, whether they had an ADN or a DScN. I don't have any answers. I know that NPs have a lot more responsibility, and more potential to do harm. I just think that the reason so many of us kids (and grown-ups!) heading into these programs are posting a bit intemperately is that, correct or not, it feels like we are being judged stupid, naive, and arrogant for wanting to do these programs at all. Thank you for your time.

you know something i actually wish i would have articulated it the way u did excellent post. You have the right attitude congrats on your acceptance iam sure u will be an absolutely excellent and competent NNP.

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Specializes in NICU.
Hmmmmm well I for one, don't see anyone calling you "stupid" or "dumb", or even "naive" for your choices. I do, however, see cautionary words here. And, I even saw one person calling US "jealous" in response when we told them why we may think it a bad idea in some cases.

If you interpret our words as insulting or want to rebel as a result, you need to grow a much thicker skin and mature a bit before you enter health care. It's dog eat dog in some cases, I tell ya. Enter advisedly. Much will be expected of you, and not much slack will be cut for you, just because you have not the experience to back you up.

Did you read my post? I mean, you must have, since you quote it, even though you've misinterpreted it wildly. I was talking about the implications of some of the posts, and acknowledging that some of my contemporaries have been out of line, i.e. the jealousy comment. I was just trying to explain WHY some posters have been overreacting to this thread and the others like it. I never said I wanted to rebel, I actually said that I agree that we need more experience than these programs are going to give us. Why you feel the need to tell me I need to "mature" when I was being nothing but respectful is frankly beyond me.

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Did you read my post? I mean, you must have, since you quote it, even though you've misinterpreted it wildly. I was talking about the implications of some of the posts, and acknowledging that some of my contemporaries have been out of line, i.e. the jealousy comment. I was just trying to explain WHY some posters have been overreacting to this thread and the others like it. I never said I wanted to rebel, I actually said that I agree that we need more experience than these programs are going to give us. Why you feel the need to tell me I need to "mature" when I was being nothing but respectful is frankly beyond me.

u r right i was out of line and i apologized to smiling eyes a trillion times but she still wants to bring it up. This is exactly why i responded the way i did i feel like the responses are so condescending and out of line but i say something and then im out of line which i was. i actually apologized but "some" feel the need to talk down to people just because of their choices

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yes granted but i would highly doubt any hospital would cut an inexperienced cnm loose. there must be some sort of balance to compensate for being inexperienced. yes residents do deliver babies in hospitals. med school graduates have very little clinical experience when they begin assisting in deliveries. i just feel like some of the nurses here have the my way of obtaining my degree is the best way attitude. i dont know if its jealousy of the fact that these people complete it faster or what. im just reading some of the threads and the animosity is ridiculous. my cousin gets the same snotty comments from experienced nurses shes in an accelerated program for np as well i just tell her to ignore them and work hard. as nurses and nurses to be we should support eachother not bring eachother down. i plan on attending med school this summer and never plan on shooting down anyones dream whether a nursing or medical student hopeful

Think again........... One of our groups (who has 5 CNM's) hired a new CNM who had had a year of "experience" before coming on with them. She was a total mess and completely unable to function. She was with them about a month and on the unit for about three days before they fired her.

I have to agree that an accelerated program does their sudents no good: especially if they have not been medical people previously!

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u make valid points u r more experienced but i wasnt really directing my first opinion at u but it seems u took offense whatever... its like beating a dead horse opinions are opinions thats that nothing is written in stone. yale has had a direct entry program for years and has succeded so it cant be that bad if it were im be sure it would have not maintained the program. in my honest opinion people that complete these programs either succeed or dont im sure many have than have not. best wishes to u and i meant no disrespect to u personally.

I am in Connecticut and work with Yale students on occasion. I have had experience with these students for over 16 years now (at the same job). Just because Yale has a program does NOT mean that all of its graduates are successful or competent when they graduate. graduating from a program (accelerated or not) does NOT make you a competent practitioner at the outset. These people succeed or not but only AFTER they gain experience and they do NOT have much experience when they graduate: especially if they go into thes programs WITHOUT a prior nursing background.

I have to agree with Smiling on this one.

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Gosh...I dont really think I can say anything more than what smiling said. I agree totally. It isn't about being snotty towards those who want to pursue something like this. It is the reality that...even though programs exist that accelerate one into a career path....it may not be the wisest decision...especially when you don't have experience in the field. Delivering babies is only a fraction of what it means to be a midwife. My opinion is that there should only be a NURSE midwife option...and that you should have nursing experience in labor and delivery to be a midwife. I think it is hard to come out of a program that is already accelerated...boom you are a nurse...then go practice. The midwife that works with us now....she was a journalism person before. She has never worked in a hospital setting..except for clinical and her internship. I think she is missing a big chunk of what it means to be a nurse. I am sorry if that offends. I would also say this for residents or interns OB. I worked with residents in CCU and the best thing they ever learned was listen to the nurses. They are a valuable tool in learning.

I am rambling here...it is interesting to see the responses...

Good luck in whatever you choose

It is a small world and in fact I know the midwife you are bashing on this forum. Please be more descrete with your posts. It would be nice if you could not mention school names and/or the state you are from. Thanks, Minerva

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Did you read my post? I mean, you must have, since you quote it, even though you've misinterpreted it wildly. I was talking about the implications of some of the posts, and acknowledging that some of my contemporaries have been out of line, i.e. the jealousy comment. I was just trying to explain WHY some posters have been overreacting to this thread and the others like it. I never said I wanted to rebel, I actually said that I agree that we need more experience than these programs are going to give us. Why you feel the need to tell me I need to "mature" when I was being nothing but respectful is frankly beyond me.

I don't think I misinterpreted anything. I think you have. No one is condescending to you for your choices, they are offering words of advice (which the OP SOUGHT). If those opinions you find disagreeable or condesending, I am sorry. Not much I can do to help ya there. Take them as what they are meant to be ....words of advice, no more. Toss away what you feel you can't use. It's a free country; you can pretty much do what you choose, and make no apologies for it. Just be prepared to take the heat that comes in the medical/healthcare world.

Take care, you will be glad to know I am out of this thread for good, so you can hear others' opinions or advice, besides mine. Like I said, no one is putting you down, just trying to help you out.

Best wishes in your endeavors.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
It is a small world and in fact I know the midwife you are bashing on this forum. Please be more descrete with your posts. It would be nice if you could not mention school names and/or the state you are from. Thanks, Minerva

I don't see her bashing anyone in the post you reference. Are you sure you have the right quote?

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.
It is a small world and in fact I know the midwife you are bashing on this forum. Please be more descrete with your posts. It would be nice if you could not mention school names and/or the state you are from. Thanks, Minerva

I am not bashing this midwife...simply stating facts. But, you are right, it was insensitive of me to mention specifics. My apologies.

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I am having a lot of fun reading all these answers...Nobody went through those schools but everybody has an opinion...And moreover, the tone and the content is what I hear most of time from RNS about Midwives..

no support, but sneaky and patronizing comments about the lack of this and the experience of that...

Ok gals..sigh I cannot wait the moment when I graduate and leave the hospitla practice... This does not make me feel being welcome at all a graduated MW (in dec)

Ginny Doula RN SNM

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i'm in an accelerated BSN program which has a really good repuatation in my area for preparing students well. anyways, i was considering a direct-entry msn program. i didn't realize that so many of them are out there, and i think for some people it's a great plan, but not really for me. i thought that i wanted to get into cardiac care nursing of some sort but now that i'm doing it at one of my clinicals, i'm sort of happy i didn't commit myself to it, because i'm in love with my maternal health clinical. i never would have thought about getting into ob-gyn nursing before nursing school, and i'm happy that my clinical expereinces are exposing me to a wide variety of expereinces. with regards to the msn direct entry programs, for me, i just thought that i would rather have some experience under my belt before i go get master's degree. plus i wanted to see what i really wanted to do based off of my expereinces in clinicals and working as an rn. i also hear of many hospitals in the area paying for further schooling for their rn's and in the spirit of not racking up any more debt than i already have, i'm going to work for a hospital that will cover any further schooling for me. although lately i've been thinking, i'll probably be a very happy rn, and i'm not sure i want more school after this tough year plus the four years of college i already did for my other degree. well i'm off to my maternal health clinical. i'm watching a delivery today!

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I am having a lot of fun reading all these answers...Nobody went through those schools but everybody has an opinion...And moreover, the tone and the content is what I hear most of time from RNS about Midwives..

no support, but sneaky and patronizing comments about the lack of this and the experience of that...

Ok gals..sigh I cannot wait the moment when I graduate and leave the hospitla practice... This does not make me feel being welcome at all a graduated MW (in dec)

Ginny Doula RN SNM

I don't know where you are picking this attitude up. The OP just asked what people thought of direct entry programs and some of us responded with our opinions based on our experiences. She didn't ask for opinions only from people who had gone through these schools. I didn't see cattyness or sneaky comments. It seems like anytime anyone posts something that isn't 100% positive people take real offense. I know for a fact that Deb (Smiling) LOVES midwifery and I do as well. Judging from her previous posts, BETSRN is also an advocate for midwifery and natural childbirth. Just because we may be somewhat weary of one type of preparation for midwives doesn't mean we dislike them and spend time thinking of ways to criticize them. I thought the concerns I mentionned were perfectly reasonable ones.

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