MSN dilemma for a new RN w/a non-nursing bachelor's degree

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Hi,

I'm a new RN who graduated from a well-respected hospital diploma program in August. This is my second career after working in sales for 9 years right out of college. I majored in Biology. I have been working in a neuro-ICU since November. Now that I'm getting settled into my job, I want to go back to school. Since I have a non-nursing bachelor's degree, I was looking into MSN programs. That led me to look into NP programs. I'm fairly certain that I'm going to pursue the MSN and not BSN, both due to a time and $$$ factor.

What I would like (and am not sure if it's possible), is an MSN/NP program that I can do as diploma RN w/a non-nursing degree.

My backup plan is to pursue the MSN with either an education or admin track, which many schools offer. More than likely it would an education track b/c i wouldn't mind teaching at some point. I also would be open to picking up the NP post MSN and have seen that many school offer that option as well; however, I'm not sure if that would make me any more marketable than just doing the BSN, then the NP.

Although I enjoy learning and will always seek out opportunities to learn and further myself professionally, I don't want to be in debt foever, especially when I had paid off my undergraduate loans 4 years ahead of schedule. And, I would like to retire from my official student days:)

Any advice from those out there with more experience or who have been in a similar predicament?

Thanks!

I can speak for the NP programs @ the University of Toledo. They are Master's degree programs (Family and Peds NP) and they require a bachelor degree in any field in addition to your nursing degree. I am an RN with an ADN degree in nursing as well as having a BA in communication. Not sure about other programs, but this one does not require your bachelor be in nursing. Good luck to you!

Since you're in a special situation (ie: you're an RN but your bachelors is in another field), I would directly contact the schools you are interested in and see what they think. I think most schools would make an exception for you, since you already have a college degree. Getting the BSN seems pointless.

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In my own experience, the MSN programs I considered 5+ years ago required a BSN and did not accept my BS (Psych) undergrad degree. Since then, schools seem to have loosened up this requirement (although I did get the BSN because at the time MSN programs wouldn't consider me). I know of various MSN programs that do require applicants to have a BSN, but others that don't. Usually this information is right on the school's website.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm currently leaning toward the Aspen Univ MSN bridge program. I'm really impressed by the offerings at U of Toledo though. I'm trying to track down cost of their programs. I have a PA license but would be willing to get an Ohio license if needed, which appears to be what they require.

I am in this same boat. My original BA is in Public Policy and Geography and I am almost done with my ASN. My ideal would be to do a dual program and end up with an MSN and an MPH. I have found a few online MSN programs that will take non-nursing bachelors most notably Sacred Heart and UMASS Amherst. My concern is how this will be view by hospitals when I graduate. I'd be glad to hear what you end up doing and would like to hear about anyone else in a similar situation.

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