Please help me!! New in nursing

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Hi, guys.

I just made a decision to become a nurse!

However, because i got married and am not young(28), I want to go to grad nursing school.

I already have a Bachelor's degree in non-nursing or science field but I have taken

2 bio classes, 2 gen chem, 1 org chem, 1 physics, and 1 biochem.

Besides, Im gonna take anatomy, developmental psych, nutrition, physiology, and microbio during Summer & Fall 2011.

I have checked some top-ranking schools for master of nursing program but some schools dont provide any specific

program for the person like me. They provide accelerated undergrad program instead.

Good news is there are still many schools providing master program with BN and require GRE score.

Can anyone give me advice about what program will be good for the person like me and

how to prepare for GRE?

I have pretty high GPA; little over 3.5, a BA at UC Berkeley, and have experience as a medic in Korean Army for 2 yrs.

Im looking forward to your reply and Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

You have to become a RN first. You will need your BSN before moving forward. Why do you want to become a post-graduate nurse? A bachelors degree will be what you need to work as a nurse. If you want to teach or move into academia a Masters is fine but you need some bedside nursing experience first. Even if you want to be an NP you will need nursing experience.

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You have to become a RN first. You will need your BSN before moving forward. Why do you want to become a post-graduate nurse? A bachelors degree will be what you need to work as a nurse. If you want to teach or move into academia a Masters is fine but you need some bedside nursing experience first. Even if you want to be an NP you will need nursing experience.

Not true, there are direct entry MSN programs for people with no nursing experience. I am not a fan of someone with zero nursing experience being able to transition into a Master's level program, but they do exist.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

I am a Berkeley grad too - and I am soon to be a graduate of the MEPN program at UCSF. Go Bears! (There were about 10 Bears in my MEPN cohort...)

Are you still if the Bay area? If so, there are a number of excellent direct entry masters programs, ucsf, usf, sfsu, and samuel merritt. UC Davis will be up and running soon. Where you go will depend on your choice of specialty (combined, of course, with who offers you admission). As you know, most direct entry programs are competive. But you have several things woking in you favor. You went to a good school and have a good gpa. You have significant healthcare experience. You have military experience. You speak Korean. You are a man.

Becoming a nurse was the best decisison I ever made. I am happy to provide advice if you have specific questions. I commend you on your decision to become a nurse. You will not regret it.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
You have to become a RN first. You will need your BSN before moving forward. Why do you want to become a post-graduate nurse? A bachelors degree will be what you need to work as a nurse. If you want to teach or move into academia a Masters is fine but you need some bedside nursing experience first. Even if you want to be an NP you will need nursing experience.

^^^^This.

Even if there are direct entry programs...nursing is about patient care and specialty practice in a given area. How or why would you choose to skip that process?

No judgement, just without being a nurse, why choose advanced nursing practice?

If it's about money...I have some bad news...

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A direct entry MSN will get you almost exactly what a BSN will get you.. job wise. A generic MSN is about worthless and on a cost/ benefit basis is a bad idea.

If it is about money... three letters.. CRNA. 'nough said.

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Dude take orgo 2, physics 2, and apply to med, dent, or pharm school. Skip nursing.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
A direct entry MSN will get you almost exactly what a BSN will get you.. job wise. A generic MSN is about worthless and on a cost/ benefit basis is a bad idea.

I agree. Although there are direct entry MSN generalist programs at state universities. Out here in California the BSN and ADN programs are so impacted one might have a better chance at getting into an MSN program.

If the OPs goal is to make as much money as possible I would advice him to consider a career outside of healthcare.

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