mabeltoo

I so appreciate the thoughtful answers folks are writing! I am making a list of questions to ask a faculty member I've been in contact with at the school. This one will be among them. Thank You!

BBFRN, Thanks for your reply. My research interests are primarily in immigrant and refugee health, and exploring a community assets approach for reducing health disparities -- also in women's reproductive health. There are several faculty with similar or overlapping interests, so it seems like it would be a great fit. I could minor in social epidemiology, which is exciting too. I agree with your point about teaching, and would love to contribute to making nursing education more accessable to interested prospective students. I'm not sure about the NCLEX, but I would love it if that were true! It would be a slick way to acquire licensure. I'll have to look into that. Good luck with your program! I hope you are enjoying it! Mabeltoo

I have an MPH and am looking at PhD programs in Public Health. I recently learned that at my local university I can apply to the Nursing PhD program without being an RN. I am very interested in this option, as I have contemplated a career in nursing for quite some time. Does anyone have insights into the advantages of a nursing PhD over a PhD in epidemiology or health sciences research? Also, what disadvantages in terms of career options might I face if I pursue the nursing PhD without having an RN? Thank you! Mabeltoo

Thanks for all the feedback! I would love to apply to direct entry programs, and don't know why Minnesota doesn't offer them. I have small kids and extended family here, so moving isn't a good option for us. I'm wondering about the ADN and then the RN-MSN bridge.... I have 2 questions about the ADN, actually: 1) As graduate programs shift from the MSN to the DNP, will the RN-MSN bridge programs be phased out? And if so, do folks think RN-DNP programs will be created? and 2) Would having an ADN allow me to be competitive as an applicant to full DNP programs, or would I need to get a BSN (even though I already have a BA a in non-nursing field and an MPH)? It's all so confusing!

Is anyone knowledgeable about how MSN and DNP programs view the different routes to the RN in terms of having a strong application to grad school? I have an Master of Public Health and a strong work history in public health. Would I be viewed as competitive with an ADN or should I go for a postbac RN or a Master's level RN? I need no pre-reqs for the ADN, but still need 4-5 for the other two options. I want both the quickest (I'm 41) and surest route. Thanks!:heartbeat