scurbro

There are programs called Direct Entry MSNs some are hybrid BSN/MSN, some are not. University of Texas-Austin, University of California Long Beach, Pacific Lutheran University, Northeastern is the only one with an online Direct Entry MSN and that is interesting too. For the most part, most MSN programs require RN and and are 2 years of study only, for these Direct Entry MSN programs they are 3 years of study at least, with the first year being intensive and full time. I see you already have the links for schools. I am looking for this type but I didn't take any of the pre-requisites in College, but I don't want my BSN, since I already have a bachelors degree, I personally would prefer a masters degree. ' The program I am interested in the most is the University of Texas-Austin.

The University of Texas at Austin, accepts all their pre-requisites for their nursing programs, especially their Alternative Entry-MSN from the University of Phoenix, these courses seem to be online, and if not fully online, they are then hybrid courses. They are 6 to 8 week long courses. If somebody had already put a thread on this, please link this thread to that one. I am just putting this information up here for everybody to understand, that there is this option with the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Phoenix. I am personally excited about this since I have been searching for where to do most or all of my pre-requisite courses online at, and this seems to be my answer. Hopefully it helps others in their search for online courses for credit. However University of Phoenix does not have course prices up for all to see, you have to call or chat with them live. I didn't get to do that yet since they are offline at this time.

Gosh, I'm now scared about becoming a caregiver, I will basically help with the same things a C.N.A does if I get this job, but I won't be certified, so I probably will do a lot less then a CNA. I am though hoping the place I will work has great patients, and good nurses. I went there a couple times and didn't hear any one screaming, but this is an assisted living facility, so the patients there are probably not as sick as in the nursing home I applied to for a housekeeping position in which they told me that was one of only two jobs they where hiring that they didn't require a CNA. I really want to become a nurse. I am just starting out, as I've said several times in other posts of mine. And I really hope that even if its difficult I will be able to get through it. I want a rewarding career helping people. So I am going to stick it out because I have found I really want to do this. I volunteered in an LTC once. It stank as in smelled, but every nurse, and the people that helped me learn about it where great. They where all very nice. There may have been one or two very serious people there, but you get those. All of this has opened my eyes. And I will say I think I will just have to experience it for myself. Honestly I may work Group homes or Home health, when I become a nurse. Or I may do something else. I don't know. All I know is I will do my best, and try not to judge myself harshly (because I do that way too much), and try to just handle the stress the best way I can.

This problem is right where I am, and what I have posted on another post. I am considering all my options. I know there are bridge programs, so its not like I'm never going to get my BSN. I am just trying to break into the nursing field first as a caregiver or CNA (caregiver is a greater possibility right now, because businesses are more willing to train caregivers because they aren't really required to be CNA's, just some prefer CNA's). I have applied to two jobs right now. A Caregiver position at an assisted living facility, and a housekeeper position at a care home and rehabilitation center. I am hoping for both quite frankly. I am really hoping that I can get the job. I am nervous though, because they could just hire a CNA rather then me. I could go directly into School, but its not possible right now. I need work first. Honestly I think the ANA is creating the nursing shortage. Constantly pushing for higher and higher degrees is always going to create a shortage of health professionals and having a requirement to a full RN staff is going to do nothing for the profession honestly in my humble opinion. Entry level degrees should be just that, entry level, either Associates or Diploma work fine for that. Bachelors degrees are entry level too but slightly higher then Associates. I saw a comment that we should look up north to Canada and I'm starting to think that this would be a great idea. I am not certain how they do this in Canada though, and probably should research more about it, however below I have outlined what I think would be a great way to go in the Nursing field. Licensed Practical Nurse is the entry nurse position at the Associates level: they encompass CNA work and bedside care that they currently already have in scope of practice laws, the programs have the option of being 1-2 years, and you could have two levels Licensed Practical Nurse and Advanced Licensed Practical Nurse (sort of like CNA and PCT, a PCT is an Advanced practice CNA in many areas in fact this probably would replace the need for CNA's and PCT, creating two levels of Licensed Practical Nursing, maybe one being Licensed Practical Nurse, and Registered Practical Nurse) (Just hypothesizing) BSN: This would be your entry level RN degree, if it takes you 2 years for pre-professional stuff and 2 years for professional program that effectively is a 4 year program, and this should be given at your local community college as well as at a University system. In fact more partnerships should be done between 4 year and 2 year schools to allow for joint admissions. I also agree with the Cohort system in which you have 2 or 3 programs starting at overlapping intervals. Which increases seats, but paces students at different points in the program. Then your MSN becomes your Clinical NP degree in which you specialize in Neonatal care, Emergency Nursing etc(and the title changes from Registered Nurse, to Registered Nurse Practitioner with this degree) The Doctor of Nurse Practice: This would be your teaching degree effectively erasing need for a PH.D., the title is in the Degree itself Doctor of Nurse Practice. Yes I know there is a huge fight right now between Nurses and MD's about this but honestly any one who sits through 4 more years of nursing school at this advanced level should be called a Doctor, but they should always clarify what type of doctor they are, and it should only be used in professional teaching capacity. We need more Nursing teachers anyway, so this degree would only be for those who intend to teach nursing professionally. Even start their own Nursing school. They must maintain their nursing license from the state obviously. And 1 more thing. From what I hear, I think Clinical should be like internships (only a little shorter), you go and find them, and then set them up with the program instructor to get credit for the Clinical. I'm not sure how clinical work now. But I think they are similar. If I am wrong please let me know. I am okay with correction. I am just newly researching all of this. But from what I see. Well These are just my ideas that I think would work only if the nursing field stops arguing and starts working toward a full solution. This way all nurses what ever level they are at, know that the people below them are nurses too, just at a different stage in their career. The only thing is if I was to try to effect change now people will laugh at me. I would have to become an RN with many years of experience before I get into positions where I could effect positive change in the system. My two cents. Sorry this was so long. I just have these thoughts and would like to share them. Even though I have zero experience and probably would be better keeping my mouth shut. I hope you don't mind that. If you do tell me, I will understand.:)

Wow reading this is making me rethink everything. I am totally and completely confused as to what route I should take into Nursing. I live 1 hour 1/2 to 2 hours away from the University I am admitted too, but i am not enrolled this semester any more because I am experiencing monetary hardship. So Of these plans I keep going back and forth: CNA to LPN (required to have a CNA license before becoming an LPN) to ADN or BSN CNA to BSN CNA to LPN I keep going back and forth, and now I found the CNA classes are open, and they tend to fill up very fast, but I have no money to save a spot in one of the classes, and putting one more thing on the credit card is not an option. So I have to say I do not know what to do. I could continue with the University in the Spring, after getting a job, but that job need to be flexible to allow me to work at nights and study during the day. I am really hoping for a caregiver position. And I really want to be a Nurse. I am just hoping that I get an opportunity and soon, and that I'm not constantly struggling too badly to just get started. All of you who worked as LPN's for a long time have hoped me see that I could do that. After all I would be a Nurse. All of this though gives me perspective. It makes me think about LPN as a viable career, not just a stepping stone. Thank you!

Has anybody gone through this program and does anybody know where this certificate is accepted. I do not want to check with admissions of a million schools just to know where 4 classes would be accepted. If you have gone through this program, or know of somebody who did, it would help me decide if this is for me. I may end up doing a different program, but I would like my questions answered please, even if its just a "I don't know". Thank you!

I am lucky that I know exactly where my immunization records are. They are with the hospital I have been with since I was a little girl. So all I have to do is have my Grandmother go to membership to get my records. I will definitely check costs for getting the vaccines though in the Public Health district here. It may be cheaper at my Doctors office, considering its at the school and I do have insurance (Husband is in school currently).

Reading all of these comments helps me understand differences in areas and states. I am going to become an RN one way or another, but right now its not feasible with money concerns, so I am going to go for becoming a CNA, and then become an LPN. I will hopefully by the time that schooling is done, find a good entry level BSN online like Western Governors University or some other new program that may be in the works right now. Hoping for it because I really want to become an RN. I am okay with working in LTC for now as a care giver.

Western Governors University has an online program currently. As I see this was of 2008 and I'm sure the person who posted it has gotten her RN by now. I have been having this problem and I found WGU, but unfortunately I live in Idaho. This program only serves 5 states. And Those are: Southern California, Texas, Florida, Indiana and Utah. The link below has more information. If you live in one of those 5 states and are considering your RN. Go for it. They also have an RN to BSN program as well. Good luck. BSN with RN License | Online RN Degree | Online Nursing School

Well I am only a year late, but I liked the different of opinions. For me the institution must be either state owned or non-profit, and the name of the institution matters. It needs to be recognized by the Nursing Education commission, forgetting what its called at the moment. So researching I have decided to just get my LPN for now, and decide what accelerated BSN would be best for me. For now it just makes sense to become an LPN, and then get my RN later (weather that be by ADN or BSN). By that time too my husband will be out of school and working, so two incomes sure are better then the one income we are trying to get at the moment. However I did like University of Texas Arlington online RN to BSN program, and will consider that in the future if the rates are still good. Or I will do the Pre-licensure BSN by Western Governors University. But I have to move so I can be close to a clinical site, because they only do that in 5 states right now (Texas, California, Utah are the three I can remember). Who knows though, it may change in the next 2 years and expand. But those are the two programs I have at the top of my list as far as online goes.

Okay I just had to make sure this was a current thread. I am looking into this because I am finding that getting my LPN and then ADN is one step extra I am not willing to take now. I have decided to pursue LPN to BSN and Indiana State University is the one I am finding out about that is probably the only one in the country. Unless there are others that I do not know about. Thank you all for your information. It really helped me understand the program very well. First things first though: CNA then LPN, then become an RN weather through BSN or ADN. BSN is my preference. I could just go straight to BSN, but I honestly need to work, and LPN is cheaper and shorter. So the best choice is what I just mentioned, for me.

I think the original poster hit a nerve, while trying to be funny probably had a lot of truth, and the PGY-2 Doctor did a good observation too. Mistakes goes both ways. I can not say more then this. I am not a nurse yet. I was a patient in the ER a few weeks ago, and I can say the Doctor knew exactly what to give me, and was there monitoring the nurse while she was giving me the medication. Without either, I wouldn't have felt safe. Both are important to patients. Speaking from a patients point of view. Both are very needed, and most patients love both the nurses and the doctors.

Also somehow I believe that I am being pulled either toward dentistry as a career, or to Nursing as a career. I am interested in both, just what do I want to be doing most is my question too. So I have to add I am thinking about becoming a Dental Assistant too. I though hear all the opportunities for Nurses and think "Wow, so varied, I could do anything".

I do not see the problem with being an LPN your whole career. I think its really sad that a lot of employers are more interested in RN's then LPN's. LPN's have a place, same with CNA, CMA's, PCT's etc. Every one has a place and every one should be able to find work. LTC's are great places to work. Home Care is another. Maybe a group of LPN's can get together with RN's who they know respect LPN's and start more travel nursing that does dual teams, of LPN's and RN's. Me, I don't know. LPN vs. ABSN...LPN vs. ABSN...that is my debate right now. Or LPN then ADN, then RN TO MSN. (I already have a Bachelors in Political Science, so...) Either way its a tough job market, but with enough planning I'm sure you can find a job. It will be difficult, but nothing is impossible. Though it may feel that way at times. I am still deciding, and to help myself in the process I am going to be applying to a care giver position. Hopefully something works to tell me whether or not this is for me. Good luck to all!

It is the year 2012 (see the last comment was written back in 08 on this board, and I am here with the same dilemma. But for me its going to be this route if I go the ADN route: LPN program first then enroll in the ADN program, while working as an LPN. (The school requires that you be an LPN before getting your ADN with them). If I go the ABSN route it is going to be this for me: LPN program then ABSN, so I can have some clinical experience and a job to pay for school and take the pre-requisites. I have looked at the Direct Entry Level MSN and the only program I have found is Asuza Pacific University in Los Angeles. They also have a Pre-nursing online program. I am excited about that prospect, but haven't contacted them about it yet. So those are my choices. For now it will have to be on the back burner it feels. I am still muling it over. Finances take priority right now.

I haven't been out of school that long, and my husband even suggested nursing, and since he suggested it I can't get it off my mind (I am wondering if that is because I have longed to try to be a nurse but was scared during my four years of undergrad study I just graduated from, or because I love him, and if he believes in my ability to do this, then I should too, or what else, I don't know maybe both). So I am in school pursuing undergraduate coursework for audiology (actually haven't started my first semester yet, so I have a couple months to decide), and I'm looking at this, and going "Is this what I want to do?" Because now I have looked at a million different options and want to pursue a career in medicine as one of the core professions (what I believe is nursing and being a physician). Nursing for me is the quickest way to do that. Even though I will be 27 or 28 by the time I end graduate with a BSN, and then what next? I will probably work and save money for medical school or go for physician studies, and a masters of public health. It is all up to me though. I guess through my long rant what I am trying to say is pursue your dream. Pursue it to its fullest. Don't be afraid. I enjoyed my undergraduate degree in Political Science, and will find it quite useful in my work as a Public Health professional, which is where I want to end up quite honestly. I want my first degree not to go to waste. So it won't. Plenty of work in the CDC, Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Health and Human Services department of the federal government. I feel like I'm starting from scratch though, I guess that is what I am really saying. Hope this rant isn't too annoying to read. Good luck to us starting from scratch. Whatever your age.

You know some people will believe that you are doing exactly the same thing that your female colleagues are doing. Except in a different way. Complaining, but complaining about others complaining and not moving on. Dude if you think its okay people can vent, lend that same thinking to your female colleagues. Women and Men have been socialized to take things differently, but not all women complain about the same things. I haven't even started nursing school though, so I don't know. But I have been through four years of schooling and in that time I have heard plenty of complaining about grades, teachers, and such by both men and women. I don't think there is something different about nursing. But you do have your right, and be it far from me to keep it from you to complain. Just give your fellow classmates, female or not, the same respect.

2.9 GPA undergrad, still working on all the prerequisites. I am just starting out, but seeing all the comments here it makes me feel that if I focus and study hard, also pacing my studies so I don't overwhelm myself. I will do just fine as a second degree seeker. I just recently graduated from school, so I haven't been in the workforce for long.

At my school I think its once maybe twice. This is required for either the traditional BSN and the Accelerated BSN. I am looking at the traditional as more viable because of the courses I need to take. But how many times you can take it depends on your school.

Honestly I think there is a mistake in knowledge about funding for a second bachelors degree. There are quite a few options, just the free money from the federal government is out such as Pell Grant. You can still receive loans though. Actually if you go for a year in AmeriCorps you get at least 5,000 or so, but that is a taxable education award. I myself am thinking of this option, hopefully it will happen. It may push it back a bit, but it will work. The scholarship from the National Health Service Corp is great, and you can apply at any point of your education. The United State Public Health Commissioned Corps is accepting only a limited applicant pool, but they are accepting into their student program if you are interested in that route, you will have serve in a uniformed branch, but its not military even though it has partnership with the military. Obviously the military is another option, and most require at least 4 years of service. The other thing is just looking for scholarships that take any level of education. Johnson and Johnson has a search for that. I found that useful. There is also other scholarships that it just takes a lot of searching. I am not in debt from my first degree, and so I am in a situation where some of you may not be. Hope this is helpful. I have gathered a bunch of information for myself through research. I am looking at all my options. All I know having a degree in Political Science I need to take a lot more math and science classes. For now I am simply researching. I am at the beginning of this.