O_O So many pathways to choose from!

MelicMed · Oct 7, 2011

Sorry about the autocorrect bad grammar/punctuation , I typed that via mobile device

spore2008 · Oct 7, 2011

There are many educational pathways for students who have already earned a bachelors (or higher) degree. I researched my options very carefully before deciding what pathway fits my circumstances best.

Accelerated BSN programs can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 years. The cost varies greatly, even amongst private institutions (Georgetown is 75K and University of Pittsburgh about 45K). Public universities are less expensive if you are in state.

Next, there are Direct Entry Generalist Masters in Nursing Programs. These are generally 2 years in length and you are awarded an MSN degree upon completion. There is no specialist training so if you want to be a Nurse Practitioner, this is not a degree that is going to get you there. The school charges graduate tuition. For some students, this is helpful as they are not entitled to take out much in loans from the federal government if they have already reached their limit during their first bachelors.

Finally, there are combined degree programs. Here, the first year is equivalent to an ABSN, though you will most likely never get and BSN degree. You sit for a NCLEX exam after the first year and then continue full time or part time, depending on the program, for your nurse practitioner area of specialization.

DNP and NP degrees are muddied somewhat between states and schools though the practice at the end is the same. Some schools have completely phased out the NP degree and only award DNP degrees.

Combined degree programs are the most expensive and will likely cost >100K (sometimes much more than that).

As for prerequisites, most programs have an expiration date on science courses (varies from school to school and can seem quite arbitrary). Many of my intro courses "expired" though my major was in the natural sciences and had many advanced courses as well as current extremely relevant work experience. Usually, after speaking to someone in admissions, I was forgiven for multiple prerequisite course listings. On the flip-side, some schools were quite rigid and would make a microbiology major retake intro microbiology. Nonsense, really.

ChemI is required for some programs, I have not seen ChemII listed for any. Nor Calc. Statistics is a very common prereq. Most nursing programs do not require Organic Chem (some may and that would require ChemII as a prereq for Organic chemistry). I think you are on pre-med mode.

1. Figure out what type of program you are interested in.

2. Determine the number of prerequisite courses you need to take.

3. Determine if you need to take the GRE or another type of standardized exam.

4. Think about how you will finance your education.

5. Think about where you would like to live.

6. Apply to several programs.

Good luck

MelicMed · Oct 8, 2011

Thanks very much for your tips; I think that definitely crossed out direct entry MSN for me XD