need help about entry level msn

[rr21]

i'm thinking of doing an entry level msn program to be a nurse practitioner after i get my bachelor's degree here in California. Would majoring in a science related field help my chances of getting accepted to the msn program or would it be ok to get a b.a. in spanish? What else would be helpful for me to get in to this program?

[Jules A, MSN]

If you want something that will help you as an acutal nurse how about a BSN?

[rr21]

i've considered BSN but the state school close to me is competitive to get in. they say that unless i have a 3.85 gpa, which right now i don't, i shouldn't apply and they choose by lottery so even if you have a high gpa there's no guarantee. my ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner and saw the entry level MSN as an option since after the first four semesters of the program i would be able to test for RN license and then i would hopefully be working and gaining experience for maybe 3 years while doing graduate work. is there a difference in curriculum between the BSN and the entry level MSN that would make me want to reconsider the MSN program?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I don't get this reasoning -- OP believes it will be too difficult to get into nursing school - so jump ahead into an advanced practice program instead??? Sorry, I don't see the logic in that. Maybe it would be a good idea to look into PA education instead - they have a more limited scope of practice and the higher degree of supervision required would be safer for everyone in the long run.

Basic nursing education provides MUCH more than simply a degree. It is the springboard into a confident, competent practice and socialization into the culture and profession of nursing. I know that everyone is jumping on the 'I wanna be a nurse ASAP' bandwagon now - for various reasons - but passing NCLEX does not equate to clinical competence. Nursing literature has consistently reflected the fact that it takes about 5 years of actual practice to become fully competent in your chosen clinical area. I have recent personal knowledge of an "inexperienced NP" (never thought I would say those two words together) whose orders repeatedly endangered patient safety -- until the nurses finally revolted and took action that ultimately ended the NP's practice.

I would encourage the OP to do a search here on AN to see what problems people have had with direct entry MSN programs. 'Alternate entry' may be OK with your home state, but you could end up in a quandry if you ever tried to relocate due to the fact that the program did not include sufficient education hours needed for RN licensure in another state.