MSN for non BSN or RN individuals

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For a while now I have wanted to become a nurse but I've to put that goal on hold because I need to finish my anthropology degree. I only have one more year left and I know I won't be able to find a job with my specialty. After a couple of hours of googling stuff I found programs out there that cater to people like myself. Some of these programs offer a Master of Science in Nursing for people who already have a BA/BS in another subject, i.e. anthropology. This isn't really a question, but I just posted this to see if there are other people like myself who are on the same boat.

Here are the programs I found if anyone else is interested in them:

UCLA - http://nursing.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=57

CSULA- http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/hhs/nursing/ELM_pro.php

Western Uni- http://prospective.westernu.edu/nursing-msn-entry/welcome-9/

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Specializes in School nursing.

Direct-entry nursing program exist all over. I'm in one myself in Boston, where we have several (Boston College, MGH, Simmons, Northeastern to name a few). I completed my RN coursework, passed the NCLEX and I now working full-time as a RN while I complete the graduate work. My BS was in television (yep, insert joke here as some of my friends say...). I worked for 7 years after my undergraduate degree before going back to nursing school.

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How do you like the program so far? And did they help you find a job or did you have to look for it on your own?

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Specializes in School nursing.

I like my program, but it is a lot of expectations and independent thinking. If you know that ahead of time, it makes it easier to handle; if not, well... I LOVED my clinical placements. They were awesome and at some great Boston medical institutions: Children's Hospital, Beth Irsael, Brigham and Women's, Boston Health Care for the Homeless to name a few.

I did look for job on my own, but had a lot of chances to make connections during clinical. I wanted a community job, and I actually landed a school nursing position by networking via my husband's piano student for a sub position that later landed me the job I have now. We have a nursing newsletter that goes out with job opportunities and a web link that lists local job opportunities (usually posted by alumni).

A lot of friends in the program have jobs and we'll all about 4 months past passing our NCLEX (my program has a 100% pass rate). The one piece of advice - these programs are tough and non-stop! But despite the crazy schedule, finding time to pick-up a PCA/PCT job for 8-12 hours a week/per-diem/over the summer (with they did have some opportunities like that posted through our newsletter) will help you A LOT in your job search after passing the NCLEX. And network early as nursing student, keeping in contact with clinical instructors and previous professors.

Free feel to PM if you want; I'm happy to answer any questions about my experience.

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Thanks for the heads up, I'm mentally preparing myself to make a lot of sacrifices in order to succeed in the program. I still have about a year left of undergraduate school, but I need to keep my grades up if I want to be accepted into one of the MSN programs in my area. :geek:

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