RN to MSN?!?!?! What are your thoughts?????

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 7, 2005

Loyola Univversity of Chicago - Niehoff School of Nursing offers an RN/MSN program, whereby students can bypass the BSN and receive credits for previous courses, professional experiences, and take pre-req' courses for an easy transition into the MSN program.
The requirements for the program are:
-RN license
-cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 in nursing courses
-successful completion of the GRE exam,
I am looking for Nurses and Nursing Students opinons on this type of program.

I think it's great. Personally I would love to have a bachelor's granted as well though. Good luck in your studies.

Nutmeg5575 · Dec 7, 2005

I don't have any advice, but I am interested in a similar program done by the university of maryland. If you find anything out let me know.

Nemhain · Dec 7, 2005

Loyola Univversity of Chicago - Niehoff School of Nursing offers an RN/MSN program, whereby students can bypass the BSN and receive credits for previous courses, professional experiences, and take pre-req' courses for an easy transition into the MSN program.
The requirements for the program are:
-RN license
-cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 in nursing courses
-successful completion of the GRE exam,
I am looking for Nurses and Nursing Students opinons on this type of program.

I think RN-MSN programs are a great way to further your education, however, all of the programs I am aware of don't allow the RN student to by-pass the BSN work. All of the students are awarded 36 credits of nursing courses and then must complete 30 more Bachelor level nursing courses before starting their master's courses even though they will not be granted a BSN along with their MSN. It's kinda like my friend who is in a PhD program (not nursing) after getting his Bachelor's degree. He still has to do about 65% of the master's level classes before he starts the PhD work.

FoxyRoxy21 · Dec 7, 2005

I don't have any advice, but I am interested in a similar program done by the university of maryland. If you find anything out let me know.

I thought that this is a great oppertunity but like Future_Rn_Jess said wouldn't it be great to also have a bachelors degree. I just don't know too much about it.

When you are employeed somewhere after all your schooling is completed.

Would they chose another applicant over you if they have there associates, bachelors, and masters. And all you have is your associates and masters? Or do they see masters and that's all that matters.

I am not saying thats all they look at when considering someone for a job but, I am asking if that is how they would review your degree's?

Hope this makes sense, I feel like I am rambling in a circle. :mad:

Nutmeg5575 · Dec 7, 2005

You know, I really don't understand the difference. For U of M RN to BSN option you have to take these classes.

For the MS you need these classes plus the courses for your specialty area (ie. pediatrics, emergency, etc), and depending on your specialty that can be an additional 4 to 7 semesters:

The specialty courses are located here: http://nursing.umaryland.edu/programs/ms/index.htm

Nurse Anesthesia is the longest with a total of 72 credits, and Clinical Research is the shortest with 30-31 credits. So if you decided to be a Nurse Anesthesist, you would get your RN then apply to the RN to MS program. Complete the 31 credits, and then complete the 72 credits. That would take about 10 semesters (for full time student).

I think it is safer to do RN to BSN to MS personally.

If you noticed they almost have the same courses. The MS program has all the same courses as the BSN program with the exception of one class. That is NURS425. I just got off the phone with the school and they said you can take the BSN part time and online, but you can't in the MS program. They also said you get awarded your BSN a year after you start the MS program. Overall going the RN to MS route is the same as doing the RN to BSN to MS. You are only avoiding one class if you do RN to MS. At least that is how U of M does it. (I hope I am making sense, I feel that I am not.) It would benefit me more to do RN to BSN to MS b/c I want to do it online. That is how U of M works. I am not sure about Loyola.