Straight to MSN

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 10, 2012

no but where will you work without any experience?

jocy_anne · May 10, 2012

I was looking at a similar program in Philadelphia before deciding to go the ABSN-MSN route. If it's the same program I looked at, all they required was for you to take 3 Bachelor's-level courses online, and once you passed those classes you are entered into the MSN program. If you already have a BS in Management, then I don't know if it's crucial to get the BSN when you can skip straight to the MSN. However, classicdame does have a point about working at the Master's level without any experience. Does this MSN program offer the flexibility to only go part-time so that you can work and gain experience along the way?

I don't start my ABSN program till the Fall, but if all goes well and I graduate in a couple years with my BSN, my program gives me the option to: 1) continue full-time in the MSN program and complete it in 15 months; 2) take up to 2 years off from school completely to work full-time and go back to the MSN program without reapplying (as long as you go back within 2 years); or 3) work full-time and do the MSN program part-time. I think I am going to choose option 3, because I want to make sure that I have enough experience to go with my advanced degree when, God willing, I get to that point in my life. If this program allows you to go part-time so that you can gain work experience at the same time, I think it would be worth it!

Oh, and congratulations on graduating and good luck with the NCLEX!!! :)

Stephalump · May 10, 2012

As far as where you can work without experience, there will always be jobs. My best friend is going to school to be a Physician's Assistant and , of course, will graduate will zero PA experience. If there are new grad jobs for them, there should be a job for an NP. Especially in hospitals who use NPs and PA's interchangeably.

I'm planning on going to a school who takes you from RN to MSN, and I'm not sure if I'll actually get the BSN. But I've looked at a lot of job posting for NPs and I've yet to see BSN as a requirement. You do have to have experience for that school, though. It can be gained while you're working toward your Master's, but it has to be done before clinicals start.

mindlor · May 10, 2012

Actually I will have experience. I start my job as a floor nurse this coming Monday. By the time I matriculate in to the program in Jan 2013 I will have had about 6 mos exp. The prog is about 2 years and I will be working while in school. So, by the time I get my MSN I will have 2.5 years solid nursing experience......

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 11, 2012

Just want to point out that there are MAJOR differences between PA & NP practice. PAs are limited to practicing under direct supervision of a physician but NPs can practice independently with a defined scope of practice. NPs are AP RNs with advanced education and preparation in a particular clinical specialty and PAs are basically generalists that assist with their physician's practice. NPs have prescriptive authority - varies by state. It is very unlikely that anyone is going to hire an NP without any experience unless they are going to be functioning in a quasi-PA role working alongside a physician or experienced NP who is willing to provide supervision.

nohika · May 11, 2012

Just want to point out that there are MAJOR differences between PA & NP practice. PAs are limited to practicing under direct supervision of a physician but NPs can practice independently with a defined scope of practice. NPs are AP RNs with advanced education and preparation in a particular clinical specialty and PAs are basically generalists that assist with their physician's practice. NPs have prescriptive authority - varies by state. It is very unlikely that anyone is going to hire an NP without any experience unless they are going to be functioning in a quasi-PA role working alongside a physician or experienced NP who is willing to provide supervision.

PA programs also ASSUME that their students don't have any type of experience and thus give more clinical hours. NP programs assume that their students get the majority of experience they need to see disease processes, etc, in their experience hours. That's why their clinical hours are so lacking.

Matka · May 11, 2012

So what about students who enter into a Direct Entry MSN program, such as Loyola University in Chicago? Will they not be able to get jobs because entered into a very competitive direct entry program? I think jobs will be out there, and I don't think you need an interim BSN, especially if you have a previous degree.

Stephalump · May 12, 2012

Just want to point out that there are MAJOR differences between PA & NP practice. PAs are limited to practicing under direct supervision of a physician but NPs can practice independently with a defined scope of practice. NPs are AP RNs with advanced education and preparation in a particular clinical specialty and PAs are basically generalists that assist with their physician's practice. NPs have prescriptive authority - varies by state. It is very unlikely that anyone is going to hire an NP without any experience unless they are going to be functioning in a quasi-PA role working alongside a physician or experienced NP who is willing to provide supervision.

That's very true, but that "unless" situation exists quite frequently in the primary care sector. Traipsing the halls of a hospital for years is not is huge prerequisite for handing out Z-Packs at your local grocery store clinic.

When I was at a big cancer center, PAs and NPs were also used interchangeably, and, although they may technically be generalists, you'd be hard-pressed to tell a difference between the two in that setting.

The point is, there are jobs for new grads. Are there as many new grad jobs as jobs that require experience? No. But you just gotta know where to look and keep pounding that pavement.

And OP will have experience, anyway.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · May 12, 2012

I just finished a BSN and start a psych NP MSN in August with no nursing experience.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · May 12, 2012

PA programs also ASSUME that their students don't have any type of experience and thus give more clinical hours.

...yet most PA programs require students to have healthcare experience... paramedics, respiratory therapists, and nurses generally comprise the class base

Stephalump · May 12, 2012

...yet most PA programs require students to have healthcare experience... paramedics, respiratory therapists, and nurses generally comprise the class base

True. My best friend has a Master's in Psychology and she's currently in MA school so she can get a few years worth of experience or she isn't getting in ANYWHERE.