take time off or go back right away?

Trauma Columnist · Jun 29, 2005

Whew - I wish I had been as ambitious as you when I was your age! Personally, I did an ADN in 1994, then completed a BSN in 2004, an MSN in 2005 and will complete a clinical nurse specialist in 2006. I live in central IL and my MSN is management and leadership but no clinical component. However, I am very fortunate - all I have to do is do three clinical courses and 576 hours of clinical and I'm done! Have you considered a clinical nurse specialist? In my area of the country - they are utilized very similarly to NPs?

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · Jun 29, 2005

Ok. Now I know that I have post night shift brain, but why would you get a MSN if you couldn't be an advanced practice nurse with your degree? What benefit do you have by doing a master's rate and fee to only be an RN. Just asking out of curiousity and ignorance.

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Ok. Now I know that I have post night shift brain, but why would you get a MSN if you couldn't be an advanced practice nurse with your degree? What benefit do you have by doing a master's rate and fee to only be an RN. Just asking out of curiousity and ignorance.

this is a very good question! Believe me I asked myself that many many times! I am not actually getting an MSN its an MN. I will be able to teach and go into management in the future even if I do not pursue an MSN degree. There are several students in my class that are there for that reason, to teach eventually. Now don't get me wrong, i'd like to teach someday or go into management also.

After getting out of undergrad and receiving my BA, I was not eligible for any more loans at the bachelor level, and let me tell you the few bucks i have in my checking acct wasnt going to help me either...and there was no way, even though I found a job after I grad. that I could affor any tuition (the only job I could find with my BA was 10/hr and after rent and bills well, im sure you know how tight it can be). SOo...I looked into every single program in my area and the only one I could get fin aid for was the MN program, plus it is accelerated 15 months...(eek no breaks). And I dont mean this in any derogatory way at all..but I felt better with the MN bc I was in some way utilizing my BA, I mean I worked so hard for it and I was beginning to feel like it was such a waste (i know no education is wasted but i was getting frustrated)...seeing as though NO ONE would hire me after graduation...the only job I found paid 10/hr and it was a job I could have done with my high school degree...

Compared to the BSN programs here it is not that much more expensive and it includes insurance fees, lab fees, all uniforms and equiptments..etc in the price so its really not that bad. The only ADN program here, which is less expensive, has an 18 month min waitlist to even start clinicals (and they only quote that, they say it may even be longer, just depends)...so I figured for a little more money I could be working by the time I was even eligible to start clinicals for the ADN program. With the ADN program I would have gone on the waitlist this month...from my friends who are attending that program, they are being scheduled for winter of 2007! My MN program will permit me to start working in summer of 2006! So I figured for the extra money it was worth it....besides I went into college right after hs in 99 and I really didn't want to wait for that long...

Like I said before I can transfer a semester or two of credits and at this point I would prob def. transfer the reasearch and theory class and maybe adv patho and pharm....my prof (who is the director of our program as well) said that if we return for our MSN, we would prob only need about a year...

I thought about doing the direct \entry MSN/NP program but I thought to myself that I really want to be sure before committing it, what specialty I want to be in...so I thought this MN program was a great idea...so far it has been wonderful! But now that i'm in school i'm getting sort of an idea of what I want to do...hopefully by the end of my preceptorship I will have an even better idea...so there lies my question...should I go out and work for awhile and then go back or should I try to go straight on for the NP right after I grad..I would hate to lose steam...ive been in school so long as it is that it is def a possiblity!

I don't know if it is just the MSN program in my area that will only accept 12-16 transfer credits or if it is all the programs in general...I havent done too much research so I thought id post here to see if anyone else knew..anyway...Thanks for answering my post!!

lyela · Jul 4, 2005

Hi everyone!
2. Do you think that I should just continue strait on and finish up my NP, Im thinking about CRNA...there are a few programs here in my state that do not require you to have experience...or do you think it would be more wise for me to get out and work in the field for awhile before going back?? I

Could you please list the programs that don't require at least a year of critical care experience. I checked out St. Elizabeth, Case, UC and Youngstown- they all want at least a year, maybe more. Could not find anymore. I'm starting at Rush for an accelerated BSN program in Jan. of '06, but they too want one year experience before entering their CRNA program. Really would like to go through asap. From NW Ohio, but can travel anywhere to school.

Thanks. :)

Tony35NYC · Jul 4, 2005

To the OP,

Don't know about your state, but New York is pretty progressive when it comes to NPs. I feel that in future we're going to see more autonomy for NPs in other states, too. I would encourage you to do some research on the specific schools you may be planning to transfer your NP credits to beforehand. The colleges you've been talking to will promise you the world because they want you to apply and register, but afterwards you might hear that some of your credits are not equivalent and that you have to take the classes over again. I've seen it happen. Its even worse when you're transferring the credits to a school in a different state.

Do not take time off if you can avoid it. You'll convince yourself that you're going back after a year, but then life happens... and before you know it that 1 year turns into 2 years, then 3... Better to just keep going until you finish your program.

I have a question, though. Do you really want to be a CRNA or an NP? You seem to not be sure. Both are pretty good careers, but they are also two VERY different nursing careers. I feel it would be to your advantage to choose one and follow through with it.

HealthyRN · Jul 5, 2005

Could you please list the programs that don't require at least a year of critical care experience. I checked out St. Elizabeth, Case, UC and Youngstown- they all want at least a year, maybe more. Could not find anymore. I'm starting at Rush for an accelerated BSN program in Jan. of '06, but they too want one year experience before entering their CRNA program. Really would like to go through asap. From NW Ohio, but can travel anywhere to school.
Thanks. :)

Check out the CRNA forum. There is no shortcut for a CRNA program. All require at least one year of critical care experience. Some require two or more years.

GrnHonu99, RN · Jul 6, 2005

To the OP,
I have a question, though. Do you really want to be a CRNA or an NP? You seem to not be sure. Both are pretty good careers, but they are also two VERY different nursing careers. I feel it would be to your advantage to choose one and follow through with it.

Im not sure yet. I obviously know that I have to pick just one. Seeing as though i'm still in the early stages of nursing school, I figure I have some time to research and think about it. I know that I want to further my education but I don't feel like I have enough experience right now to judge. I think once I get further into NS i'll have a better idea. That was really the root of my question. Originally I was thinking that I would just work for awhile and get some experience. I have been reading so many posts here where students say that they want to go stright through, so it has been making me rethink my decision, hence this post. Like you said they are both great careers and I am kind of stuck between them right now, I am drawn to aspects of both. I am still in the very early stages of deciding. I guess i'm still researching both and weighing the pros and cons, the only thing I know for sure is that I want to go on. Are you pursing an advanced practice degree? If so what kind?:)

GrnHonu99, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Could you please list the programs that don't require at least a year of critical care experience. I checked out St. Elizabeth, Case, UC and Youngstown- they all want at least a year, maybe more. Could not find anymore. I'm starting at Rush for an accelerated BSN program in Jan. of '06, but they too want one year experience before entering their CRNA program. Really would like to go through asap. From NW Ohio, but can travel anywhere to school.
Thanks. :)

Oh sorry, I was referring to the NP programs, the only CRNA program in Cincinnati that I have found so far is at UC. As far as I know it requires one year experience. I haven't checked out any more CNRA programs in the state though, I know there are some direct entry MSN programs that offer NP. I have looked into Case but I don't know if they have CRNA. I will be researching the programs more here in the upcoming months and I will let you know what I find. If I can find a program that will accept more of my MN credits as transfer, I may go out of state. Im not sure how that works, I'll prob have to contact each diff. program. Good Luck and if you find any valuable info, PM me:) BTW- did you check out Medical College of Ohio? I know they do NP programs.

GrnHonu99, RN · Jul 6, 2005

To the OP,
Don't know about your state, but New York is pretty progressive when it comes to NPs. I feel that in future we're going to see more autonomy for NPs in other states, too. I would encourage you to do some research on the specific schools you may be planning to transfer your NP credits to beforehand. The colleges you've been talking to will promise you the world because they want you to apply and register, but afterwards you might hear that some of your credits are not equivalent and that you have to take the classes over again. I've seen it happen. Its even worse when you're transferring the credits to a school in a different state.
Do not take time off if you can avoid it. You'll convince yourself that you're going back after a year, but then life happens... and before you know it that 1 year turns into 2 years, then 3... Better to just keep going until you finish your program.
.

Thanks for the advice. I am still in the early stages of researching but what I do know is that Ohio is NOT very progressive when it comes to adv. practice nursing. We just received perscriptive abilties very recently. My profs of course are encouraging us all to go on and what they tell us is that autonomy for NP's in this state is not the best. I am glad to hear that NY is progressive in this area becuase I have been thinking about moving there.

I absolutely have to research the schools before transferring my credits. I will want it in writing what they will accept before I sign up for classes. I am hoping to find some programs that will accept more of my credits, cert. would be nice;) This is my main project this fall while I am on break from my current program. :)