SLU Accelerated MSN Program

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Hi, I'm looking for some feedback/information from anyone who is attending or has attended the SLU MSN program (specifically the accelerated program for someone who has a BS in another area). I have a BS in sociology, an ADN and have a couple years experience as an LPN. I really don't want to wait any longer to get my MSN but I don't have a ton of experience. Can anyone comment on my chances of getting into the program with these credentials? I will be working full time as an RN while in school as well so am interested to know how the demands are for the program and if it's feasible to work full time. Thanks in advance for your help.

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I'm not a student there (I've just checked their website), but I don't think SLU has an accelerated MSN program for people with non-nursing degrees. They have an accelerated BSN program though.

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Yes, they do have one. I might have worded it wrong..it's an RN to MSN program (they have a BSN to MSN program if your degree is in nursing) but if you have a degree in another field you can go directly into the RN to MSN. I meet all the selection criteria except the 3 years experience, so I was just curious if anyone that's attended the program had any information.

Thanks for your reply.

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Oh, I stand corrected. Good information to know. Thanks.

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Oh, I stand corrected; sorry about that. Good to know.

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The Accelerated MSN Program (which is NEW for 2010) for people with no nursing background (i.e. a degree in another field) gives you a Generalist Master's Degree. All I know about this degree is that it is NOT an advanced practive degree. I believe you will be qualified to work in RN-type leadership positions - basically a nurse manager.

The RN to MSN Program is actually an RN to BSN to MSN program, and I believe it actually gives you an advanced practice degree. For this one you do need to have your RN, so if you have a Bachelors in something else you should consider doing the Accelerated BSN program and then the MSN program following that. You need nursing experience to get a MSN that allows for practice as an advanced practice nurse.

Basically everybody has been right in their own Hope this clears things up for everyone.

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So do you think the CNL masters is good to get for a non RN or is it better to get a BSN and then later get a Masters in a specialty area? I just got accepted to SLU new program, but not sure about it. Any thoughts? Is this school religious? Is it in a nice area of St Louis? ( never been there). Thanks

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Hi cacurlytop! Did you decide whether or not to attend the SLU generalist masters? I'm from California and I'm pretty sure I'm going to attend...

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Hi Where are you from? I haven't totally decided yet as there are so many conflicting opinions about this type of degree. I may just end up getting a BSN instead. What is your decision based on? Have you seen the school? Are you a recent grad? Let me know. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

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I'm from Southern California and I'm graduating from UCLA this spring with my B.A. in Communications. Honestly, what I've found about the degree is that in the beginning you are basically at the same level as someone with a BSN, but then you move up way faster. I talked to a few people in the nursing administration at my hospital (I volunteer at UCLA Ronald Reagan) and they said that with this degree you usually get a signing bonus because they don't have to send you back to school, but can just move you up and of the nurses they knew ones with this degree received pay raises in 15 months where as people with BSNs received the same pay raises over 3 years..? So I guess it just depends what you are looking for.

I actually just got back from visiting the school the last 5 days and the campus is BEAUTIFUL.. but the area around it is very run down. But, the good news is that there is a parking garage right next to the nursing building and all of our classes are in there. I saw the simulation lab and it is amazing! I think bc they are private they have the money to get all the latest technology. They have a dummy that gives birth and that's only their medium technology one.

As far as living goes, I looked a bunch around the area and provided that I decide to go I'm planning on living in Brentwood. It's a really nice suburb area 15 minutes from the school and I talked to a few other nursing students that live there. It's both cheaper and safer!

My decision was mainly based on the fact that 1) the program is so short 2) they really cared when I went and visited 3) they know what they are doing: i can't find where i read this, but last year they had the 2nd highest nclex pass rate in the nation and the lady in charge of our program started the first accelerated bachelors in the nation at slu in the 70s, also when i talked with them it seems like the program is really hands on. they said we will do simulations at least once a week and i have friends who go to UCLA right now and they have only EVER done 2 on dummies with no technology...

Hope that helps some. Please ask me more question... it was draining but I spent the last 5 days there trying to learn everything I could!!

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Also, where are you coming from and how are you feeling about Saint Louis and the whole thing?

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Are you on facebook? I wonder if there is a way to contact you that way too? I have to decide this week. I wish I could have gone there like you did but ran out of time. I am from San Diego, so it would be great if I went, we could meet in CA before we started. I am leaning though ,toward attending U of Wisc-Madison, where I graduated last week and just get a BSN. I have gotten split opinions about the CNL and am just not sure how to decide. Some have said to wait for a Masters until I know what I really want to specialize in, others think this would be good since it's only a semester longer and then you have a Masters completed...Had you thought about a BSN route instead? The program itself sounds good. I guess it's a mix of people attending (age wise), which is often the case with nursing. Any other thoughts?

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