NP Programs

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Hey Everyone! 

I hope you guys are doing well at this given time! I wanted some insight about NP programs. I am thinking about going through a career change and the highest degree I have obtained is a masters in exercise science. However, through all of my work experience that I have had I really enjoyed it and I am thinking about pursing a degree in nursing. There is an entry-level MSN program offered near where I live. My question to you guys was do most NP programs accept masters students after they complete their masters in science in nursing? Secondly, I don't have a BSN but a lot of students have told me that an entry level MSN usually means you will have the RN title and will be taking the NCLEX exam so you can transition into an NP Program after some work experience. If someone who truly knows about this can give me some proper insight that would be great because I do not want to have to start off with a BSN and spend money on that program especially when an entry level MSN is being offered.  

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I really don't see any point in getting an entry level MSN. I have a BA in another field and still chose to enroll in an accelerated BSN program. It was way cheaper than an entry level MSN and still provides the same education and opportunities. Every RN program (regardless of degree level) prepares you to take the NCLEX and get licensed, and most advanced practice programs want you to have a year of bedside experience before applying (again, regardless of degree level). There are BSN to DNP programs, BSN to FNP program, BSN to really any type of APRN program. BSN is the standard right now in terms of entry level nursing degrees. Maybe an MSN knocks a few courses off of a nurse practitioner program in the future, but other than that I don't see much benefit in it.

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So would you suggest to go for a BSN program then if anything? Would that be more beneficial? I didn't know BSN can go directly into all of these specialities I thought you had to go through like a masters after a BSN in order to achieve those higher practice programs. 

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2 hours ago, nursingstudent22 said:

So would you suggest to go for a BSN program then if anything? Would that be more beneficial? I didn't know BSN can go directly into all of these specialities I thought you had to go through like a masters after a BSN in order to achieve those higher practice programs. 

I would. I think it will save you time and money going the BSN route especially if you find an accelerated program. Accelerated programs are for people who hold prior degrees in other fields. My program is only 11 months long. The higher practice programs ARE master degree and doctoral programs. You don’t have to have a Master’s degree to enter them (just BSN) because you will earn one while training to become to a Nurse Practitioner. An entry level MSN is totally different from the advanced practice Master’s degrees. Just becoming an MSN doesn’t qualify you in any position (except maybe management) that a BSN trained nurse can’t do, and you can’t start a specialty program unless you are already a licensed RN. Does this make sense? I’m trying to be really clear LOL, but I know it’s confusing with all of the acronyms and such. In short, a BSN is really all you need at the entry level, and with some bedside experience you should have no problem enrolling in a NP Program which will also give you a Master’s degree or doctorate depending on the type of program you apply to. 

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Yes actually! Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me! I appreciate it so so much! Makes my decision a whole lot easier! So I will definitely go for the BSN programs then and apply right away! One last thing I wanted to address was there were a couple of articles I found alone about how an MSN transitions right into a NP program. Do you mind further clarifying for me and weather this information is true? I keep hearing/reading mixed things. But here is something I found. 

https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/how-to-become-NP/

 

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6 hours ago, nursingstudent22 said:

Yes actually! Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me! I appreciate it so so much! Makes my decision a whole lot easier! So I will definitely go for the BSN programs then and apply right away! One last thing I wanted to address was there were a couple of articles I found alone about how an MSN transitions right into a NP program. Do you mind further clarifying for me and weather this information is true? I keep hearing/reading mixed things. But here is something I found. 

https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/how-to-become-NP/

 

So I wrote out a whole reply and then figured I was just kind of saying the same thing over again, so I deleted it LOL. I recommend reaching out to an advisor at a nursing school and seeing if they can go over the differences for you. Maybe look up a school online and look at their BSN curriculum and compare it with the entry level MSN's curriculum. My guess is they would be pretty much the same since both programs lead to RN licensure and RN licensure is standardized. My main point is that a direct level MSN and a direct level BSN provide you with basically the same education, the same license, and same opportunities for upward mobility. Both would allow you to then apply to a NP Program after graduating and getting licensed. I am actually surprised that more and more entry-level MSN programs are coming about because they don't provide much of an added benefit over someone with a BSN. Which maybe that's the point? Master's degree are typically more expensive, and that's just more money for the school to make. 

Now if you are thinking that an MSN would allow you to enter a NP Program without experience first, that is technically true (true for BSN graduates as well)... Some programs do not require you to have prior job experience before applying, but MOST will want you to have a minimum of 1 year bedside experience. My clinical instructor explained it to me this way... When you go to medical school they treat you like you just crawled out from under a rock. You learn everything from the very basics on up. When it comes to advanced practice nursing programs they treat you like you already know what they are talking about. They treat you like you are experienced in your field, and you aren't really "experienced" until you have worked in the real world for a certain amount of time. 

Another thing you could do is look up NP programs and their admissions requirements. Almost all will say that in order to enter the program you need "a BSN with an unencumbered RN license." They would accept you with an entry level MSN with an unencumbered RN license as well of course, it would just, in most cases, be the more expensive (and potentially longer) route to get there! 

Maybe someone else on here can chime in with more info!

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Thank you so so much for all of this valuable information! I will look into it more and if I have anymore questions I will reach out to you again! Thank you for the thoughtful response and advice! It makes my decision easier!

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11 minutes ago, nursingstudent22 said:

Thank you so so much for all of this valuable information! I will look into it more and if I have anymore questions I will reach out to you again! Thank you for the thoughtful response and advice! It makes my decision easier!

Of course! I was in your same position not all that long ago. I’ve done so much research on this, and I’m happy to share what I know. Good luck making your choice!

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