NP if you have NO BACHELORS at all?!?

jer_sd · Sep 20, 2008

having a BSN will not matter if you have a MSN for NP certification or employment. There may be other nursing limitations but not NP related. For example I have a BA in liberal studies, I am not eligable for california state certification as a public health nurse, or if i wanted to take the wocn exam i would have to show equivalency to a BSN. Both of which might help get a job in the respective area as a NP, but neither extra certificate is probably required.

If you want to be a NP go for it. I have never lost a job offer or interview based upon undergraduate education.

Jeremy

FutureKYRN · Sep 20, 2008

Thanks,

I'm just worried because I see that most people who go straight from ADN to MSN already have a non-nursing/nursing bachelors degree as well.

I'm I stressing over nothing or will employers expect me to have some sort of bachelors in addition to my MSN and certification?!? I'm hoping that I can do the bridge program and bypass getting a BSN all together.

ANPFNPGNP · Sep 21, 2008

Hello all!
I'm a 22 year old, with the dream of becoming a NP. I'm really interested in the ADN-MSN bridge programs which award you a Masters in only a year. The downside it that you won't have a bachelors.
Will I be able to get a job as a NP with no bachelors at all?? Or should I just go ahead and get my BSN to be safe in the future?
Please help? Are any of you NP's with NO BACHELORS that have graduated from frontiers ADN-MSN bridge?
Thanks for your help

I'm a little confused here. How can a person with an ADN get a MSN in one year? That just doesn't make sense. Please tell me where such a program exists.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 21, 2008

I was an ADN grad who was interested in an ADN to MSN program (3 years in length) but opted out at the last minute and did the traditional ADN to BSN to MSN. I don't feel a BSN is necessary if NP is your ultimate goal.

I was wondering too though about the 1 year program??? Where is this?

FutureKYRN · Sep 21, 2008

The one year program that I was talking about is Frontier's.

The woman I talked said is was for ADN nurses to bridge over to MSN.

No BSN is rewarded.

CNM2B · Sep 21, 2008

The one year program that I was talking about is Frontier's.
The woman I talked said is was for ADN nurses to bridge over to MSN.
No BSN is rewarded.

The Bridge portion of their program is one year, but the MSN portion is an additional 2-3 years, depending if you go part time or full-time.

FutureKYRN · Sep 21, 2008

Yes, Sorry for the confusion...

So is not having a bachelor's OK in the eyes of employers?

CNM2B · Sep 21, 2008

No, I don't think it is any problem at all. To earn an MSN through a bridge program, you still do the work of a bachelor's degree. Once you have a master's degree, I don' think anyone is going to ask you about your bachelor's degree. Frontier is a really good and widely respected program--you will do fine with a master's from there.

FutureKYRN · Sep 21, 2008

Thanks again!! I actually thought about it, and it would actually make a little more sense if I got my BSN online while getting that year of experience, then go ahead and apply for the Masters program after that....

That way it'll probably come out a little less expensive as well.

It's pretty early for me to be thinking about all of the but I think I'll figure it out by the time I get there.

Thanks everyone :wink2:

LisaFNP · Sep 22, 2008

I just graduated in May with my MSN. I did a bridge program at my University. I have an ADN, a BS in Community Health and now MSN. No BSN. But I had to complete classes that BSN programs have like assessment, theory and undergraduate reserach. Then on to the masters portion. I went slowly through the program, single mom, two kids, work full time, took 6 years

FutureKYRN · Sep 23, 2008

Congrats on your masters :)