2nd degree advice needed

achiever · Jun 9, 2009

I have a BA in another field, and am currently enrolled in an ADN program at Columbus State online. I also want to continue through Family Nurse Practitioner school. I know the grad entry program like at OSU or UC is a time saver, but for me I really feel like I need experience as a nurse before I move into an advanced practice role. I guess it's really just your preference, but for me nothing beats experience.

Michelle

leilax · Jun 9, 2009

yes, that is similar to how I am thinking too. It would be a great time saver and I have the extra time to devote to an intensive BSN/RN/MSN program (no family ties, major bills, etc), but in this particular field, experience would enhance my education so much more when I do pursue my MSN and become an NP. But I am always interested in hearing different perspectives.

jillyan208 · Jun 18, 2009

I would personally, take the RN/BSN/MSN track. It would save more time and money in the long run. It may not be the most time saving, but if you could complete that, you could take the PA online. Just a personal thought. I am an LPN at the present, returning to get ADN/RN, starting this fall. I was in the LPN/RN/BSN at Indiana State Univ, online, but unfortunately had to withdraw. So I have to start over again. I decided that it may be best to go to a local school then move up from there. :typing

Best of Luck

Jill:nurse:

leilax · Jun 18, 2009

thanks for your insight! It basically comes down to the money more than anything. As I already have a degree, it is very difficult for me to take an almost $40,000 loan in addition to what I already owe (I completed 1 year of a master's program as well) then pay more money to get a Master's. I even looked into doing LPN/RN route, but that is pretty expensive too so it does not make much sense. And the ADN programs have very long waiting lists in my area and will not accept many of my credits. Anyways, thanks again and good luck!!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 19, 2009

Hi, I would appreciate some advice! I have a BA in another field and am debating which route to go for my degree. I would like to be an NP. Does it make more sense to enter a BSN/RN accelerated program and then get my MSN (like the Mt.Carmel program where you receive it in 13 months) or something like the University of Cincinnati where you get your BSN/RN/MSN at once? Any insight would be helpful, thanks!

I don't think that UC has a direct entry MSN program, but could easily be mistaken (trust me on that!). They DO have a combined BSN/Nursing Doctorate (can't recall if its DNP, PhD, or what) program.

I did their accelerated BSN program, and graduated 8/08. The Accelerated Pathway program is designed for students with prior Bachelors/Masters/PhD degrees (yes, we had a PhD, a JD, and some MS folks in my cohort). It takes ~5 quarters, and you graduate with a BSN. When I did the program, we graduated with 6 graduate credits (towards a MSN). They've recently revamped the curriculum, and I'm not sure if this is still the case.

If $$$ is a concern, UC offers a Graduate Scholarship. If you score over ~1100 on your GRE, you are eligible for the Graduate Scholarship. This covered 60% of tuition when I was in the program. If you work as a grad student slave assistant 16 hours/week while attending the program, I think the remaining 40% is covered.

One advantage in doing the BSN first is that it gives you time to decide on what area of nursing you want to specialize. UC offers a variety of Masters programs, including FNP, acute care NP, pedi NP, CRNA,... They eliminated their Psych NP program a year or so ago.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the UC program - I'd be glad to answer them, or refer you to somebody who might be better able to answer them.

Good Luck!

leilax · Jun 19, 2009

Cruffler, thank you for the detailed response. I do not even see the accelerated BSN portion on the UC website. I think I just confused direct entry with accelerated pathway, they seem the same to me? From my understanding, you complete the pre-reqs (phase 1) and move onto the BSN portion and complete your courses, take your RN exam, and then move forward with the graduate courses. Also, depending upon your experience/what you want your MS in, you may have to wait x amount of time before completley starting your graduate program. However, I could totally be wrong about this. Please feel free to correct me!

The accelerated program I am looking into is the Mt. Carmel program in Columbus, which is 13 months in length. I believe it would easily surpass the price of 30,000. I do have those GRE scores for UC; so if you work as a grad assistant and have the right GRE scores, essentially you are not paying for anything?

I have to say, though the price is a lot, I do like the idea of actually working as an RN before I enter a master's program, just so I know for sure *exactly* what I want to do. However, I think many people want to do that because it really is ideal, but it may not be within their budget. Ironically, for the ADN program here, I need more pre-reqs than compared to Ohio State, UC, or Mt. Carmel. Anyways, if you have any more information please let me know. Thanks!!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 20, 2009

Cruffler, thank you for the detailed response. I do not even see the accelerated BSN portion on the UC website. I think I just confused direct entry with accelerated pathway, they seem the same to me? From my understanding, you complete the pre-reqs (phase 1) and move onto the BSN portion and complete your courses, take your RN exam, and then move forward with the graduate courses. Also, depending upon your experience/what you want your MS in, you may have to wait x amount of time before completley starting your graduate program. However, I could totally be wrong about this. Please feel free to correct me!
The accelerated program I am looking into is the Mt. Carmel program in Columbus, which is 13 months in length. I believe it would easily surpass the price of 30,000. I do have those GRE scores for UC; so if you work as a grad assistant and have the right GRE scores, essentially you are not paying for anything?
I have to say, though the price is a lot, I do like the idea of actually working as an RN before I enter a master's program, just so I know for sure *exactly* what I want to do. However, I think many people want to do that because it really is ideal, but it may not be within their budget. Ironically, for the ADN program here, I need more pre-reqs than compared to Ohio State, UC, or Mt. Carmel. Anyways, if you have any more information please let me know. Thanks!!

For the UC Accelerated Pathway program info, see:

http://nursing.uc.edu/academicgraduate/Accelerated/AccHome.htm

NOTE that the "prelicensure curriculum" shown on that webpage may be out of date, but the prerequisite list (linked to via the webpage) appears correct. I believe that UC made some changes to the curriculum earlier this year.

The Accel Pathway isn't a pure direct entry MSN program. By that, I mean that all students entering the program are not definitely going on to Masters work right after they finish their BSN. Out of my cohort, a decent number are taking 1-2 graduate courses/quarter, but I think that a large number (like me) are wanting to work a while before doing any MSN coursework.

As to GRE, glad to hear your scores are >1100. NOTE that the "1100" number was valid when I went through the program. With the economy crashing, I suspect that there is less money available for the Graduate Scholarship, so the minimum score may be higher. You'd need to contact UC to verify this. You're right, though, about working as a grad assistant covering your tuition costs if you also get the grad scholarship. You'd still spend money on books (~$500-600 for the first quarter, ~$1300 for the entire program). I'm not sure if fees are covered.

I don't know how Mt Carmel is in terms of retaining students during their accel program, but UC is excellent. I think the 2 cohorts before mine ended up with all their students finishing the program. My cohort lost 1 student out of 48 (this was before they went to the 2 cohort/year, 32 students/cohort system). They don't try to flunk you out, but if you work hard at it, you can flunk yourself out.:uhoh21:

Yes, prereqs vary from school to school. Before I was accepted to the UC program, I was also (simultaneously) doing prereqs for Wright State's Beacon accel program. WSU had more prereqs than UC.

caliotter3 · Jun 20, 2009

Any program that gives you the BSN or a BSN on the way to an MSN would be a good choice so that you don't waste time. The only advice that I could offer is to be careful with an accelerated BSN program because people have reported that they had to transfer to traditional programs because they could not keep up with the fast pace. You have to be really on cue to be successful. Good luck with your decisions.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 20, 2009

the only advice that i could offer is to be careful with an accelerated bsn program because people have reported that they had to transfer to traditional programs because they could not keep up with the fast pace. you have to be really on cue to be successful.

just like drinking from a fire hose! yes, the pace is definitely intense. my first test in quarter #1 covered 9 chapters in the textbook, plus loads of powerpoint slides. by the time i was in my final quarter of lectures (quarter #4), i was also doing 12 hour clinicals on rotating day/night shifts. that, combined with the daytime classes, left me wondering if i was coming or going. luckily, a classmate put together a "master calendar" showing assignments due, tests/quizzes, papers for all of us students.

even with that schedule, i remember sitting down on campus early one morning, furiously studying (ok, cramming) for a test i just knew was scheduled for that day. almost. the test was scheduled for the next day, but at least i was fairly prepared for it by then!

in the accel program, i always felt like i was trying to do two or three things at once. there was always something more to study, or an assignment due that needed some more work. you have to be organized and self-motivated.

that being said, it is doable. we had people in my cohort with young children (one lady had 3 kids, and she was the sole caregiver). another guy was working full time during the program. this is definitely not recommended, but he survived by multi-tasking (working on his job stuff during lectures, working on homework during free time at his job). i had it relatively easy, just commuting 90 minutes each way to/from school & clinicals (up hill both ways, through 12 feet of snow, but that's another story!). in my cohort, the students all stuck together & helped each other. that helped tremendously.

leilax · Jun 21, 2009

Again, I REALLY appreciate the posts here. It is helping me form better opinions and is giving me a lot of insight. I am curious, if you qualify to be a grad slave and have good gre scores, does UC only cover your grad tuition or do you get financial aid for the BSN portion as well? I would actually prefer to go the ADN route to get some more experience, but I need so many pre-reqs, after my calculations it is not really that much more cost effective. All my options end up being the same actually. Thanks so much!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 22, 2009

I am curious, if you qualify to be a grad slave and have good gre scores, does UC only cover your grad tuition or do you get financial aid for the BSN portion as well? I would actually prefer to go the ADN route to get some more experience, but I need so many pre-reqs, after my calculations it is not really that much more cost effective. All my options end up being the same actually. Thanks so much!

My scholarship covered 60% of my tuition from quarters 2 through 4 of the accel pathway program. This left me holding the bag for quarters #1 & #5. For quarter #5, it was because we only did 90 clinical hours of role transition, which made up 3 or 5 credit hours (not enough for full time status). Quarter 1 was not covered since it was during the summer. Why not, I don't know - it's just how it is.

NOTE that UC has changed their accel program since I attended it. Rather than a single cohort starting in July/Aug, they have 2 cohorts a year. One starts in ?June?, and the second one starts in ?January? (don't quote me on the months). I'm not sure how this impacts the grad scholarship coverage. Your best bet would be to contact UC, and GET IT IN WRITING. Don't go into it just on verbal promises of what gets covered.