RN to MSN--did you do it? how was it?

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Specializes in Hospice.

I just passed NCLEX Monday after earning my ADN. Now onwards to a higher degree! I already have a BS in biology/chemistry, so I'm trying to go straight to an MSN. WGU looks like it would be respectful of my time and my previously earned education.

I'd love to hear from members who have gone through the program (either Education or Leadership; I'm considering either). Was it worth it? What was good, what was bad? How long did it take? Do you have to make live appointments? Or is it all truly online?

Really any info or anecdotes would help me out!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Have you obtained an RN job? I believe that is one of the prerequisites to the program. As far as your question, I have completed the RN-BSN program and am just starting the BSN-MSN program, so I can't really answer your questions about the MSN aspect of it.

I think there is a big benefit to actually working as a nurse for a number of years before going into management or education. I think you garner a lot more respect from your coworkers/employees/students if you have walked the walk and have an understanding of the challenges of a direct-care nurse.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I don't have an RN job yet. Like I said, I literally just took NCLEX, and I was working full time for Pharma before that (I still am in that position now). It didn't look like it was a prereq from the website, but it's easy to miss stuff like that, so you may be right.

I agree absolutely that having the clinical experience before starting the program would be great, but realistically, it's going to be tough for me to get a job with just an ADN. At least if I can enroll in the program, then I can tell people that I'm in the process of achieving a higher-level nursing degree, in addition to my RN and BS. I've spoken to a couple Nurse Managers and so far that's the feedback that I've gotten.

I don't expect to land a job as a Nurse Manager/Nurse Educator at this point in my career. But if I can work toward that degree while "walking the walk," then I'll be in a better position once I've become more experienced.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

According to several posters here in various threads over the past year, it is a requirement that you have to be employed as an RN in order to enroll in the program. Good luck, whatever you decide!

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I am in the middle of the RN-MSN program now. I graduated from nursing school in May 2012 and started the RN-MSN program in September. I had a job offer in Critical Care before graduation, as I had already been working there as a secretary/tele tech and I started working with my interim permit before I even took boards becasue my unit was so understaffed. I don't know if having a job is a requirement for admission, however I think it would be nearly impossible to do the Capstone project without having a nursing job, just because of the requirements of the project. I started in September and I am almost done with the program. I am working on my Nurse Educator Specialty right now and then all I have left is my Capstone project/ Oral defense. I talked to my mentor this morning and my projected grad date is January 2014, but she thinks I will finish by November or December. That will be about 15 months for the entire RN-MSN program and I had 4 prereqs I had to take. There are 90 hours in Community Health that you have to do, I am in CA so I had to be associated with an agency and there were other additional requirements. Other than that it was all online. There is a lot of writing, but I didn't think it was that bad. I love the program and think it is great. I have a previous BA in English and a Master's in Library and Information Science.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Thank you so much michelle for answering my original questions!!! I really appreciate it!

I'm speaking with an Admissions rep tomorrow, so hopefully I'll get some more info. If I need to be working, I can probably find some clinical work at a LTC facility or something, even if it's part-time. Also I don't need to start school immediately; I can wait a couple months while I get my feet under me.

I really appreciate the in-depth info. It's obvious you're going to be a great Educator someday! ;)

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HI I HAVE BEEN THREW THE RN-MSN PROGRAM AND IT WAS WORTH IT. I GRADUATED WITH MY BSN IN 2007 FROM A&T THAN IN 2010 RN-MSN FROM UNC-CHARLOTTE AND CURRENTLY HAVE MY Ph.D. IN NURSING .

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
HI I HAVE BEEN THREW THE RN-MSN PROGRAM AND IT WAS WORTH IT. I GRADUATED WITH MY BSN IN 2007 FROM A&T THAN IN 2010 RN-MSN FROM UNC-CHARLOTTE AND CURRENTLY HAVE MY Ph.D. IN NURSING .

I think the OP was specifically asking about Western Governors University's RN-MSN program.

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I'm hoping to get started with WGU next month and can confirm that you do need to be employed as an RN to begin coursework.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Thanks schnookimz; I'll ask the rep about it tomorrow and see what is required of me. So you're working with an ADN right now, right?

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I am also working with an associates degree and when I applied a few weeks ago, it was required that you hold a RN position. I don't think that changed from about 3 weeks ago. Also, I did not have a problem getting a job with my associates degree.

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Anashenwrath--yes working with an associates. Like you, I also hold a non nursing bachelors degree.

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