Second degree BSN, Direst entry MSN, Nurse Practitioner! Help!

sunnyjohn · Oct 9, 2007

You're right, there are lots of choice.

Helping you pick the best program for you would be nearly impossible.

Consider your circumstances when choosing your program

1. Do I need financial aid?

2. Can I get financial aid for a second bachelor's degree in my state or only form graduate study (a directy entry program?

3. How much am I willing to spend?

4. Are my state RN programs impacted with long waitlists?

5. Am I able to move to attend school?

6. What are my ultimate career goals?

I hope this helps.

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Oct 10, 2007

:yeahthat: And I'd ask why it is you want to become an NP...or if you've considered other options. You might be able to do what you want with a BSN, or an MSN, or as a CNS, etc....

For second-degree BSN programs you might not have as many loan options as MSN/NP/APN programs, which being graduate level means that they qualify for the government PLUS loans (though the cost is considerably higher). Accelerated BSN programs are shorter in length than the graduate ones, though.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 10, 2007

I'm currently a senior graduating in December with a social science degree (not a BSN). I am not an RN, but I have been seriously considering becoming a Nurse Practitioner, but am at a loss as to how to go about becoming one. I have looked up accelerated BSN programs, direct entry MSN, Masters Programs, you name it. There is a lot of information out there and I am trying to figure out what is the best plan for me to go about becoming a nurse practitioner. However many years these programs take is no problem, I just need to know what the best plan-what will be the most useful, what will get me the farthest, etc. I can't seem to figure it out on my own, so any advice you all can give me would be so appreciated... thank you in advance...

Like sunnyjohn said, no one in this forum can ultimately help pick the program that fits you best. The decision should be up to you after you have done your homework.

A few things I'd like to add are:

1. Accelerated BSN programs are a good way to start. Not only will it allow you to enter the profession as an RN in a short period of time, it also lets you get a feel of what nursing is about while you figure out exactly what specialization in nursing fits you the best. I know that you wanted to become an NP. Also realize that there is much diversity in NP roles depending on specialization and practice settings and being immersed in nursing an RN can open your eyes to fields you never knew you liked. It is also easier to get accepted in an NP program if you already have a BSN as most programs follow this traditional route. Direct entry NP programs tend to be very competitive and are not available in all states.

The downside to accelerated BSN programs is that many schools have a large pool of applicants and even those who are qualified end up getting turned away because of limited slots. In addition, these programs require serious commitment in terms of attendance and have rigorous academic demands because of the fast-paced nature of the program.

2. As I've already alluded to, direct entry MSN programs that lead to nurse practitioner preparation are available in many states but not all. Many seem to be very competitive as far as chances of getting admitted. However, also realize that many RN's and NP's frown upon these programs as they feel that NP's need to have experience as an RN first before practicing at the advanced role of an NP. There is also very limited data as far as employability of direct entry NP's although some well-established and long-standing programs do have data that support successful transition of their graduates to the NP role.

3. Generic MSN programs will not prepare you for an NP role.

Finally, read the threads in the NP forum as many have offered useful insights to those interested in the NP role like you are.

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Oct 10, 2007

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3. Generic MSN programs will not prepare you for an NP role.

Not completely true; you won't get an NP from an MSN program, but it will allow you to get many of the prerequisites. Many of my classmates are going to become NPs after getting their generic MSN, and it will only take them 1 year. Though our instructors don't like the idea of going directly from an MSN to an NP with no work experience.

ann945n, RN · Oct 10, 2007

I would say take the route that gets you the RN the fastest and then start working as an RN. You may find you dont like nursing or that you no longer want to be a NP but a different kind of nurse. Since you are new to nursing I wouldnt want to be tied down to one type so quickly. Spend a little time working as a nurse and get to know the different areas you can take it. I think that way you will surely end up with the area of nursing that makes you happiest, also you may find out you dont like nursing yet another area of health care. Just my opinion! Good luck, nursing is great!

SiennaGreen · Oct 10, 2007

Consider this the first of many complicated decisions that you must research the options, survey the possibilities, weigh the pro's and con's, and then make the best decision you can and be able to stand behind and give a reason for that decision.

It is true that everyone follows their own path. It has been 2 years since I decided what my second career would be. Since then, I have researched, taken pre requisites, visited and met with admissions at various schools and various types of programs, talked to more students and practitioners than I can count, lurked on too many forums, and next fall I will begin school in the path that fits my education, family, and finances best.

The best advice I got was to take your time and really look at all the options. Understand them. It really does take an investment in time, but that will pay off in commitment and direction.

ERGirl83 · Oct 10, 2007

Have you considered PA school? I know that there seems to be competition between NPs and PAs, so it might not be a popular answer on this board, but PA school does not require an RN, or really any specific major to gain acceptance, though most require some related healthcare work experience. In my state, the scopes of practice are virtually identical. I think there are more clinical hours in PA school, but I could be wrong on that...

Anyway, if it were me, before I'd take the time to go back, and get a whole separate degree, I'd try to get into PA school with the degree I already had.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 10, 2007

Not completely true; you won't get an NP from an MSN program, but it will allow you to get many of the prerequisites. Many of my classmates are going to become NPs after getting their generic MSN, and it will only take them 1 year. Though our instructors don't like the idea of going directly from an MSN to an NP with no work experience.

What I meant by that remark is that generic MSN programs alone do not prepare you to sit for any of the NP certification exams. In fact, most post-master's NP programs (at least in my state) require the same amount of time to finish as a traditional NP track because of the sequential nature of the clinical courses. Some schools (as probably the one you are attending) maybe allow bridge programs for MSN grads to get trained as an NP in about a year. But that would require that your MSN program already contains the cognate or pre-clinical courses allowing you to progress to the 2nd year level of NP training. I personally don't see the beauty of doing such a program compared to starting out as a BSN grad and then applying to an MSN program that is NP focused if the NP role is really your goal.

amzyRN · Oct 10, 2007

I'm doing an accelerated BSN b/c it will allow me to get a feel for nursing and to really know what I want to do as an NP. For me, b/c I haven't shadowed an NP and have no hospital experience, I felt like I didn't really know what specialty to choose as an NP. Also, I felt like it would be easier for me to get into a masters program (a really good one) if I had more experience and got an opportunity to boost my undergraduate GPA. So, if you're undecided about health professions in general or don't know much about it a second degree BSN would be the way to go, in my Op. You could still do PA if you wanted to afterward. You'll have to do some science pre-recs regardless of what type of program you choose. Direct entry is also good, but as someone mentioned above, they are super super competitive and if you're picky about the program you want to go to, like me, you'd have to have a very strong academic record. Including excellent GRE score and GPA and experience helping people. They want to know that you know what your getting into, b/c there's so many applicants and it would be a wast to pick someone who's not sure. Good luck,

J

lulu123 · Oct 18, 2007

Thank you so much for all the advice. I have been looking into all the options, there are just so many to choose from and they all seem to have advantages and disadvantages. I've looked into psych/mental health NP programs. I've worked in mental health before and truly love it, and really believe it's what I want to do long term, as a career. Psychologist wasn't for me and neither was psychiatrist, they didn't involve what I was looking for. I even investigated a masters in social work so that I might be a counselor, but psych NP seemed the most like what I wanted to do. Now if I went after an accelerated BSN , I would work after receiving it as an RN? And then go back to school to obtain a MSN to become a NP? I'm just trying to get the logistics of all these options sorted out...is that what most of you would advise? Would I be more able to get an NP job? Or would I simply have more experience? Would I be better prepared going this route over the direct-entry MSN? Thank you again for all the good information, and I'm willing to listen even more from you all! Thanks!

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2007

lulu123, I feel for you. When I went through an accelerated BSN program, there were only 5 in the nation! Now, the list of options is amazing.

For me, I was able to do everything I wanted to in nursing with a BSN. I think you'll need to discover what your end game should be. Based on my observations of friends and their disappointments I would say that just because there is a program out there, doesn't mean there are corresponding jobs. I know a lot of people with multiple graduate degrees who ended up back on the floor because they couldn't get a decent salary for their MSN.

Best wishes to you!