dani815

There is so much debate over which to degree to get. That being said in todays job market, it seems the BSN prevails at the gold standard, at least around where I live. However, we all have different life and educational situations. Personally, I would have gone the BSN route had I not already spent (wasted) four years at an expensive liberal arts school. After all that time and money, I realized I wanted to be an NP, so the best way to go was ADN-RN, then a Grad school that was tailored for the adult mind changer. LIke I said before, if my plan was to stop at RN, I would have absolutely gone straight to a BSN program. The bottom line is we all have different situations, make sure you find the one that fits you best.

I am not sure where you are from, but in Massachusetts there are quite a few programs that are specifically for RN's with a Bachelors in another field. I am in the same situation as you, I chose the RN/ASN route because it was easier to complete with a young family. I will continue onto a MSN-DNP program next winter, it is only for people with a prior bachelors degree, so it is the perfect fit for me. I did consider the direct-entry route, but I heard a lot of negative things from friends who were nurses about the direct entry students. I also had two friends who took this route and have had a very difficult time getting jobs, due to the fact they had no real nursing experience. I am very pleased I took this route, even though it has taken me a bit longer I do feel prepared as a nurse and ready to move onto the next step. Also, I am going to keep working as an RN while I obtain my MSN-DNP degree. When I finally become an NP, I will have 4-6 years nursing experience, which will hopefully help when I look for a job. I do not plan on getting a BSN long the way, if I planned on being an RN as my career I would absolutely get the BSN, you need it to get a decent job, especially around here. Lastly, I love being a nurse it as the best decision I have made so far.

Hey! I am happy to help answer any questions I can from a students point of view. They are letting me take BSN classes along with ASN/NUR classes because I already have a bachelors degree, so when I finish the ASN part and pass my boards (hopefully) then I will just need to take the clinical part of my BSN and I will be all set. I do know one evening person, she said it is very difficult to get into NUR classes and clinicals, at least right now. Some people have transferred into the day program for a better chance at starting NUR classes tis fall. I am in the day program. Obviously there are certain politics to that, I have found that if you talk to the right people you will get what you need, but isn't that the case everywhere? Happy to answer whatever other questions you may have, it is so confusing!

One other thing, I would not advise starting at Laboure if you do not plan on finishing there. None of your classes will transfer, every school has different core Nursing classes, good luck!

I am currently a student at Laboure. I graduated with my BA in 2009, then decided I actually wanted to do nursing (rolls eyes), so I began the hunt for accelerated BSN programs. They seemed to be very competitive and the hours were impossible with work and a family. I opted to go to Laboure, it is flexible and almost part-time. I started fall 2010, finished the christianity classes and am starting nursing classes in September. In the winter I will also start BSN classes, they are letting me do both since I already have a prior degree. I agree it is expensive, but what school isn't? Nursing school is hard wherever you go, they do have pretty tight standards once you get into the Nursing classes, but that is how any school weeds people out. Laboure has been a great option for me, I basically will have done it part time in three years and 6 months (RN/BSN). I am in the day program and there has been a lot of flexibility and I am in Nursing classes when I was promised. No place is perfect, but I think it is a decent school, so far. Sorry this was so long, just my two cents.

Yeah I don't have access to private messages, but my email address is [email protected] you can email me there is you would like. Thanks, talk to you soon!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some advise about direct entry NP programs? I just graduated from Harvard with a concentration in Psychology and hope to apply to a direct entry NP program. Does anyone have any tips on what they did to help them get in? What was your college GPA, and how much did that matter? Did you go directly after college or did you work first? Prior healthcare experience? I am going to volunteer in a hospital this summer and fall, and throughout college I worked in a human development lab. I am working on my prereqs right now, does it matter whether they are finished when I apply? A final question for those of you that are currently in direct entry programs: How is it going so far? Are you happy with your career choice? I really appreciate any answers. I am feeling a bit lost with this whole process, as my advisor at school had no idea this career path even existed. On an end note I am planning on applying to BC, Simmons, Regis, and MGH. These are the only programs I found around the Boston area. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi, I have looked through this website for the past few months and am finally making a post! I am graduating from Harvard this spring, but would like to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner, I will have a degree in Psychology but plan on taking a year off before applying. There is not a lot of information at my school, because there is not a nursing program in place, so I am on my own. According to the research I have done there are plenty of direct-entry NP programs, but I was wondering if there are any direct entry RN programs? Or Programs aimed for people that already have a bachelors, but want to get a RN and I assume another Bachelors degree. I would like to pursue a RN first, work for a year or so and then get my NP. I am just wondering if anyone knows of any direct-entry RN programs in Boston MA? Also if there is anyone with a similiar situation? I truly appreciate the advice!