Should I apply for Direct-Entry MSN (for non RNs)?

dragonfly414 · Apr 12, 2012

I'm turning 25 this saturday and will be graduating with a BS in Health Sciences and a minor in Holistic and Integrated Health this May. Last fall I applied to the University of Southern Maine's MSN-Options program and did not get in. There were 110 applicants and only 24 slots. I had a 3.429 gpa, but no patient experience or volunteer hours. An options program would have been my first choice because it was going to take me just a few more months than an RN or BSN.

Between your GPA, your previous biology degree, and your volunteering experience I would think you would have a good chance of getting in. I was told Nursing at my school looks at volunteer hours. I've seen people who had plenty of experience with patients as a CNA not get in, so patient experience isn't everything.

I'm not sure how competitive the programs are in MA.. sometimes programs get soo competitive that the GPA bar gets raised super high, eliminating many applicants who are more than qualified. An NP makes good money and has many opportunities and options in the path they take, so I think the loans are worth it. However, I might shop around in New England to see if another school might be cheaper.

I know UNH has a direct entry program. Another option you may consider if you decide a direct entry is too pricey is to get your RN at a community college and then apply to an RN to MSN program, which bypasses the BSN. Getting an RN through a community college would probably cost a lot less than getting it through a direct entry program. Assess the loans you already have for school and how much it will cost either way. Last I knew an NP had starting pay around 75,000 a year, you might also be able to research the average starting pay in your area. Check out some approximate total costs and what your loan payments might be if you did take the NP plunge. studentloans.gov should have some info on hypothetical loan amounts and pay back amounts.

As far as I know an FNP program includes maternity and an ANP does not, but it may vary from state to state or program to program. If you plan to travel and volunteer in developing countries, I would say you might want to go FNP. On the other hand if hospice is your thing, you are probably going to be dealing with mostly adults unless you have an interest in working palliative care for pediatrics... I'm not sure how much demand there is for that or if you're interested in it.

One great thing about being an NP is (at least here in Maine) that you can open your own practice. I would guess if you work for a hospital or physician's office instead of hanging your own sign out you might get somewhere between 5 to 6 years paid vacation at the cap. That is pretty much the standard hospital/health care office vacation cap to my understanding. I'm not sure what you might start with for vacation. I'm not an NP, but I would think the hours you work would highly depend on where you worked. For example I would assume there are both full time and part time NP positions at hospitals and offices just the same as any other health care occupation. I would think on call time would be more common if you worked in a hospital.

hope I was of some help, good luck!

dragonfly414 · Apr 12, 2012

I meant 5-6 WEEKS of vacation not years! oooops! where is my EDIT button?!?!!! urgh

HesterPrynne123 · Apr 14, 2012

Thank you so much for the reply, it helped a lot!

Good luck to you as well!!