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Discussion

NP Programs

Hi all!

So I will be graduating with a BS in Microbiology but I'm looking to be an WHNP. I've been looking into various Entry-level Master's Degrees and ABSNs, however I'm finding that the entry-level Master's Degrees vary a lot as far as general MSN, CNL, CNS and I don't want to wind up in a program that doesn't fulfill my end goal.

Would I be better off doing the ABSN and then going to a traditional Masters, or is there a good way for getting the right entry-level Masters program?

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    • Featured Replies

    What are your career goals? Entry level msn for RN/ CNS/ NP are very different roles. You may want to research a bit more into what these mean.

    I've spoken to a few master's prepared CNLs who said it was a waste of time. They graduated and worked alongside ADNs and BSNs making the exact same pay and responsibilities.

    I would highly recommend working as an rn before pursuing a CNS or NP degree. So I think a BSN program, if you can find an affordable one, is your best bet.

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    • Author

    My career goals are to be a WHNP working in primary care. Preferably outpatient/private care. I know for a fact I do not want a CNL degree. I like the idea of a Masters because its time efficient, but I want to make sure its in womens health so ABSN may be better since there are more traditional MSN programs that can get me into womens health. I'm just having trouble going through everything because some programs will say MSN because they're all masters levels but I don't always find the exact specifications (Davis has a General MSN, SFSU has a CNS, Univ San Diego has a CNL). It's very overwhelming and I graduate in 2019 so I want to be intentional about my pre-reqs and preparation for applications.

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    I would do an ABSN and then a traditional MSN. There are very few direct entry MSN programs that offer an NP certification.

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    • Author

    That's what I'm starting to lean toward. However, do you happen to know which few programs specifically offer entry level NP cert?

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    That's what I'm starting to lean toward. However, do you happen to know which few programs specifically offer entry level NP cert?

    I believe SUNY offers one, or offered one at one point. One of the midwives I used to work with got her CNM through a direct entry MSN program.

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    • Experts
    That's what I'm starting to lean toward. However, do you happen to know which few programs specifically offer entry level NP cert?

    When I Google "direct entry WHNP" I get links for several different schools that offer programs. However, as klone notes, doing an accelerated BSN program followed by a traditional MSN program is essentially the same thing, since the direct entry programs are basically an ABSN followed by an MSN program. Doing the two pieces separately gives you a much wider choice of MSN programs.

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    Vanderbilt also offers a direct-entry, but would be easier, and cheaper, to do ABSN and MSN.

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    Azusa Pacific University offers what I think you're looking for. I'm not sure where you're looking to attend school, but they have locations in Azusa, San Diego, Inland Empire, and Monrovia (all California).

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    • Experts

    Keep in mind that WHNP is very specialized and many programs require at least one year of bedside nursing, with preference given to L&D, post-partum, and OB/Gyn RNs. And those positions may require that you are a bedside RN before working in those units. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you may also want to look into accelerated ADN programs just to get your RN. Quicker than doing an ABSN (typically 18 months), and then you can do an RN-to-MSN program. There are programs which include the WHNP specialty that have tracks for RNs with a BS in another field. This might be the route you want to pursue to save some time, since you already have a BS. This will get you in to the nursing field at the bedside in the shortest amount of time to start gaining experience.

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