Online MSN without 1 year RN experience?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2014

There's some but you have to look for them. As to the reputation, I don't know much about them. I know Kaplan has one that doesn't require one year.

Also, I would also work on getting a job asap. At least part-time. It helps with getting in since most want references. Also, it could potentially help if you make contacts in the industry too for clinical placement as it is tough to get clinicals. One thing about online schools is that it seems like they admit students with no idea of whether clinical placement within an hour of the student's location is possible (just by reading horror story threads).

Like if you get a job in an ER that has NPs, you can potentially secure someone who would be willing to do a clinical with you. In my current ER, they have both FNPs for fast track and pediatric NPs for the peds ER. I think some will let you work with a doctor part-time too for some clinical hours. The more well-known an online school is in your area, the more likely they may have clinical preceptors for you. Like Frontier is big for nurse midwives in my area but Frontier prefers 1 year experience but may give "credit" for other experience.

The APRN section may have more info about online programs and give you a realistic expectation. I wanted to try to get into a NP program right away but I am taking a step back and getting at least a year if not more. I found a position that I absolutely love and I apparently am doing a good job as a new grad.

ParryPerson · Jul 11, 2014

There's some but you have to look for them. As to the reputation, I don't know much about them. I know Kaplan has one that doesn't require one year.
Also, I would also work on getting a job asap. At least part-time. It helps with getting in since most want references. Also, it could potentially help if you make contacts in the industry too for clinical placement as it is tough to get clinicals. One thing about online schools is that it seems like they admit students with no idea of whether clinical placement within an hour of the student's location is possible (just by reading horror story threads).
Like if you get a job in an ER that has NPs, you can potentially secure someone who would be willing to do a clinical with you. In my current ER, they have both FNPs for fast track and pediatric NPs for the peds ER. I think some will let you work with a doctor part-time too for some clinical hours. The more well-known an online school is in your area, the more likely they may have clinical preceptors for you. Like Frontier is big for nurse midwives in my area but Frontier prefers 1 year experience but may give "credit" for other experience.
The APRN section may have more info about online programs and give you a realistic expectation. I wanted to try to get into a NP program right away but I am taking a step back and getting at least a year if not more. I found a position that I absolutely love and I apparently am doing a good job as a new grad.

Thank you for the reply! I'm still on orientation for a job I got offered while in school. I made the mistake of not being picky enough and ended up on a fairly rough floor, but that is what really made me realize I want to go for my NP. I can handle the floor, but I don't see myself working it forever. I signed a contract for 2 years, so even if I can enter school quickly, the clinical would have to work around my schedule (have to be full time 2 years). Thanks again!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2014

Full-time for 2 years and clinicals may be tough. We had one girl leave the ER to go work in an MICU/helicopter because she thought 1 12 and 1 24 may be easier

PG2018 · Jul 11, 2014

I'm sure it exists somewhere. Just keep searching. I started my MSN to become a NP as soon as I obtained my RN license so taking "advanced" classes while I was learning to work was a nice combination. I was exposed to research and new clinical pathways that prescribers in my work setting were not following (which isn't a bad thing), and I learned A LOT more meaningful information about why specific treatments were being implemented. I always thought my BSN program was a bit light on the -ologies which always struck a nerve with me. Anyway, the point of this is you can probably take core classes, that are not clinical, without the year of work experience. I did that and knocked out such things as research, advanced research, theory, public health, practice management, adv. physio/patho, adv. pharm, and I'm sure a couple of others that don't immediately come to mine. Once I got the year of experience, which coincided with the summer after my first year of the MSN program, I was able to enroll in the adv. health assessment/diagnostic reasoning course. Once that started, I'd gotten out of the hospital and was managing a clinic, and the stuff I was doing in adv. HA/DR was HUGE in learning about clinic/primary care type work. Each year of my MSN program, I've selected a new nursing job to best fit my school needs so as the school year changes so does my nursing job, lol, and each one has been filled with unique experiences that I think have really enhanced my academics. I'll be starting my final (3rd) year this fall and so too will I need to change work again to accomodate my lofty clinical hours.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 15, 2014

Her the NP programs are trending toward DNP. Have a friend who went right into an MSN program the fall after grad w/ADN. (she also did a BSN concurrently) and now has gone straight into DNP. Has job in a private practice MD office for the past year or so.