Other than BSN

[JenKnowles]

I have my RN and have tried two different online BSN programs. I feel the BSN content will not help me give better patient care nor increase my critical thinking abilities. In fact, I have dropped out of both programs because most of both have had non-nursing assignments and both have only focused on APA citing. This is NOT how I want to further my education! Is there anyother degree out there which would be comparable? If I do not get my BSN, can I still continue on to NP after getting a different medical degree?

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

In most MSN NP programs, you will see that the first few classes will be research/nursing theory oriented and there will be papers to write, where you will probably be expected to know APA format. For those of us who have completed our BSN, doing this will probably be second nature. While I agree that obtaining a BSN may not make a huge difference in how you do your job, I think that getting a bachelors in something else to avoid the papers/APA/nursing theory/ethics component of a BSN is kind of silly and naive. You're going to be expected to have that foundation in any NP program and you will be making it more difficult for yourself in the long run.

[rnkaytee]

In most MSN NP programs, you will see that the first few classes will be research/nursing theory oriented and there will be papers to write, where you will probably be expected to know APA format. For those of us who have completed our BSN, doing this will probably be second nature. While I agree that obtaining a BSN may not make a huge difference in how you do your job, I think that getting a bachelors in something else to avoid the papers/APA/nursing theory/ethics component of a BSN is kind of silly and naive. You're going to be expected to have that foundation in any NP program and you will be making it more difficult for yourself in the long run.

I completely agree - I'm in the 1st semester of my NP program now and APA is kind of our bread and butter. Why don't you just buckle down and do it instead of dropping out of 2 programs?

[Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B]

then why can't a person with the same degree plus the RN title get into a NP program????

This makes it sound like you already have a BS in a non-nursing field. If that's the case, there are plenty of Non-nursing BS to MSN programs out there!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

Yes, as other posters have mentioned there are indeed ADN-MSN programs (Frontier comes to mind), but these essentially incorporate the BSN coursework into the bridge program. Other BA/BS degrees have just as much "fluff" as you are finding in the BSN programs.

Gen ed courses help you round out your knowledge base. Definitely not a bad thing! And I have to disagree that APA formatting is inconsequential to being a good nurse- it is the foundation for becoming fluent in research, which WILL make you a better clinician.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm not looking for a job, I am already an RN with a great job.

All great things come to an end. You may want to earn the BSN degree, regardless of the incredulity of the requirements, just in case your great job no longer exists in a decade. The BSN degree is a hedge against the uncertain future.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

If you get a BS/BA in a related field then it's more than likely they will have also have filler classes & more than likely you will need to write papers. They might however require a different format (MLA for example). Then when you get to your NP program you'll have to learn APA.

If you are serious about pursuing NP, suck it up and learn APA. Going through an RN to MSN program might slightly decrease your needed credits, but you will still write plenty of APA papers.

It's ok to not want to further your education, but to do so in any nursing or related field is going to require "fluff" courses and writing in some format. If I'm wrong, someone correct me here.

[VANurse2010]

I'm not sure why people are bringing up APA. It's not that hard, you do not need to go through an entire BSN program (if you don't want to) just to learn that. Frankly, I'd have more respect for an RN with a BS in biology or physiology going for NP than a BSN.

[elkpark]

I'm not sure why people are bringing up APA. It's not that hard, you do not need to go through an entire BSN program (if you don't want to) just to learn that. Frankly, I'd have more respect for an RN with a BS in biology or physiology going for NP than a BSN.

People are "bringing up APA" because the OP identified that as a primary objection to the BSN completion programs she tried.

[AmyRN303, BSN, RN]

APA, MLA, either way, you're writing papers and making citations. And writing papers doesn't stop with a BSN.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

You want a BA/BS degree, you're going to have to take general education classes (many non-nursing related) to accomplish that, no matter what you're majoring in, there are going to be unrelated/pointless (in your view) classes- even if you skip the BSN and go straight for a master's degree. Research and APA are going to be unavoidable.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

So, I am just throwing it out there--

The "new" trend in nursing seems to be evidence based practice. Which sure beats the HECK out of nursing diagnosis and treatment plans.....Kidding. Or not.....

In any event, I find it really confusing with using APA format to write endless papers on why 2+2=4, except when the full moon is out in the month of May. This is not compelling stuff. Throw "The History of Blah, Blah" in the mix and watching paint dry is a viable option.

But, do these things to get your BSN, and then move onto what your ultimate goal is.

Become one with your computer. There are websites that are specific to formatting in the APA form. Become one with some online courses, so the faces that you make as you are discussing the 101 ways to slice an onion and not cry can only be seen by your screen.

All kidding aside, there are any number of courses that you can reach your objective. Bang em out--and hopefully it will be something of interest to you. If nothing else, a BSN can allow you to have a bit more pay, and put charge duties on that and Wa-LA, more funds for the Masters.

I think there may be schools that are "direct masters" programs, so I would maybe search engine that....

Good luck!

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

If have an RN and a BA/BS in another field, you can got straight into an MSN/NP practice. There are several program in here in NC. One is Duke ($$$$) but they are out there. A classmate from my ADN program did it. You DO have to have the BSN for a DNP though.

I am just finishing an online BSN. It is some fluff, but it is inexpensive and will have taken me a calender year. That is not unreasonable. Just about anyone can do anything for a year. It will be worth it in the long run.