Need Direct Entry to MSN with a Communications degree

queserasera, RN · Dec 10, 2012

You'll probably have to go to a community college to take A&P I&II, and Microbiology. That's if you had great grades in basic chem, bio in high school. I think it will be hard to get into a legit accredited school without at least a recent A&P course since that is really the basis of everything you'll be learning!

I do know that most great schools have online MSN, but the problem with direct entry MSN is you'll need to do clinical hours, so maybe the online MSN's are more for the RN Upward mobility. What made you change to nursing?

loriangel14, RN · Dec 10, 2012

You couldn't do an entirely online course. You need clinical hours,

SycamoreGuy · Dec 10, 2012

I don't think there are any direct entry MSN online programs. Some of the prereqs are a little excessive but A&P and Micro are a must and I doubt you got either the in-depth knowledge or retained that knowledge from high school. Also, A&P and Micro almost always have lab components that you cant do online.

If nursing is something you really want to do its going to have to be more than a part time, online thing.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 10, 2012

good advice from all the posters. You cannot do a direct entry MSN all online. For that matter, you have a clinical component with any program you enroll in. The no-clinical BSN and MSN programs are for people who are already RNs.

And you definitely need the science pre-reqs. They are the very foundation upon which nursing science rests. And yes, nursing is science.

If you really want to be an RN, something's gotta give. Sorry, that's just how it is.

Kandy83 · Dec 10, 2012

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecomm and want to go into nursing. I don't have most of the prereq science/chemistry but I know there are some programs that will let you slide on that. I don't have the time or the funds to take undergrad classes.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 10, 2012

OP, you don't have an accurate impression of basic (pre-licensure) nursing education. You need to do a bit more exploration.

Also, you may want to scale back a bit and look at obtaining your BSN instead of MSN. Direct-entry MSN programs are dwindling rapidly in popularity with hiring managers. . they basically can't get jobs in my area. This type of MSN is meaningless in terms of advanced practice because it does not signify any clinical expertise at all. There is no salary differential because all new grads are slotted in to the same jobs.

The reality is - you are going to have to begin from ground zero because your previous BA probably did not include many courses that are required for nursing. I would advise you to speak with a nursing school admissions counselor in order to figure out your next steps.

SycamoreGuy · Dec 10, 2012

I don't have the time or the funds to take undergrad classes.

If you are looking for the quickest and cheapest route may I suggest an accelerated BSN program at a in state college or a traditional ADN program at community college. Those are really your only and best options. You may have to take on a significant amount of student loan debt, and maybe work part-time but there is no such thing as a free lunch.

myelin · Dec 11, 2012

Uh, Direct Entry MSN programs do not let you slide on your prereqs. They are not online (how would you get your clinical hours) and require you to attend full-time for the first year, typically. Furthermore, most are housed at top nursing schools and they are very competitive. So yeah, you might need to consider your priorities and go from there. :cool:

Stephalump · Dec 11, 2012

Well, my thoughts are basically...ain't gonna happen. I've never heard of a cheap DEMSN. I've never heard of an online DEMSN. And I've never heard of one that doesn't actually expect you to take prerequisites. And Id question any program that does fit your mold.

Fast and cheap and lower on the prereqs is going to be more along the lines of an ADN at a community college, although you'll still have to take undergrad sciences. And you want to. You can't possibly be a decent nurse without knowing anatomy and physiology and the infection/disease process.

Stephalump · Dec 11, 2012

Delete!

maddiem · Dec 11, 2012

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecomm and want to go into nursing. I don't have most of the prereq science/chemistry but I know there are some programs that will let you slide on that. I don't have the time or the funds to take undergrad classes. (Besides I took the basics in high school already)
Ideally I need a cheap, (entirely?) online program with direct entry and very low prereq requirements I can do part time... any thoughts?

A program like that doesn't exist...you can't go into nursing school without taking A&P 1 and 2, chemistry, and microbiology. There are no online programs for an RN degree. You must complete lecture, lab, and clinical hours that correspond with your states rules for being able to sit for the NCLEX. You will also need to prepare for a pre-admissions test which will determine if you have what it takes academically to achieve in nursing school. Nursing school will become your life if you get into it. It's not easy by any means. It's a lot of science. You will nee to take your prerequisites at a community college. You can't take them online because they will all need lab components. Good luck!