Questions from a Student

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 1, 2009

1) Can I get my Master's in Nursing if I only have a BS in Microbiology or do I need to have an RN or BSN degree first? What about for becoming a Nurse Practitioner? You need a RN license first..I think there are RN-MSN programs so you can get an associate's in nursing then MS in nursing.

2) Do I have to go to very specific nursing schools if I want to get into neonatal nursing or can I go to any nursing school for my Master's and go into any specialty? No. In nursing school it is generic and most likely you will not get any NICU clinicals and only a very basic education on high risk newborns. You 'specialize' out of nursing school by your hospital orientation/new grad program from whatever hospital you hire to. Coming out of nursing school, you're only able to sit for the RN licensure exam and which is generic.

3) What courses and standardized exams should I take to make myself more competitive for nursing school? Whatever your school specifies. Some want NET, some HESI, not sure of the other ones out there.

4) What is the daily life of a nicu nurse? A nurse practitioner? What are your hours like? Can you work part time? Is this profession conducive to having a family? Most work 12 hours shifts. You can work part time. MANY (most?) nurses on my unit (largest in my hospital) have families.

elkpark · Nov 1, 2009

I'm currently an undergraduate Junior majoring in microbiology. I'm interested in getting a master's in nursing or becoming a neonatal NP but I feel like I got off on the wrong foot already. My questions are about where I should go from here and what the neonatal nursing profession is like:
1) Can I get my Master's in Nursing if I only have a BS in Microbiology or do I need to have an RN or BSN degree first? What about for becoming a Nurse Practitioner?

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

There are a kazillion so-called "direct entry" or Master's-entry" nursing programs now that take people with a BA/BS degree in something else entirely, give them a brief, basic nursing education and plug them into an MSN program. You pass the same NCLEX exam as everyone else to get licensed as an RN, but you graduate with an MSN. There are "generalist" direct-entry programs, and specialty (advanced practice) direct-entry programs, which prepare you as an NP, CNS, or CNM. I believe, though, that there are no direct-entry programs for neonatal NPs, because the accrediting organization for NNP programs requires that you have NICU experience as a "basic" RN in order to be eligible for NNP programs (if I'm wrong about that, I'm happy to be corrected -- I hate to give out bad information! :)) If you chose this route, you would be eligible for an NNP post-Master's certificate program after you had sufficient experience as an NICU RN.

There are also many "accelerated BSN" programs, also designed for those who have a BA/BS in something else entirely but are wanting to get into nursing. These programs are v. demanding, fast-paced, and rigorous (designed and intended for mature learners who have already proven themselves capable in an academic setting and are able to function/learn fairly independently), but have the advantage of only taking 12-18 or so months (depending on the individual program). Again, upon graduation, you take the same NCLEX and get the same RN license as everyone else (from traditional programs), and can choose where you want your career to go from there.

There are a bunch of existing threads here discussing people's opinions of and experiences with both direct-entry MSN and accelerated BSN programs.

Best wishes for your journey.

soprano3 · Nov 2, 2009

I'm currently an undergraduate Junior majoring in microbiology. I'm interested in getting a master's in nursing or becoming a neonatal NP but I feel like I got off on the wrong foot already. My questions are about where I should go from here and what the neonatal nursing profession is like:
1) Can I get my Master's in Nursing if I only have a BS in Microbiology or do I need to have an RN or BSN degree first? What about for becoming a Nurse Practitioner?
2) Do I have to go to very specific nursing schools if I want to get into neonatal nursing or can I go to any nursing school for my Master's and go into any specialty?
3) What courses and standardized exams should I take to make myself more competitive for nursing school?
4) What is the daily life of a nicu nurse? A nurse practitioner? What are your hours like? Can you work part time? Is this profession conducive to having a family?
Thank you all so much for your time and efforts!!! Look forward to reading your responses :)

I can answer #4. A Nicu rn can work 8's or 12's depending on the hospital. You will most likely work every other weekend & every holiday to start out.You'll probably have to start nights.