The Nurse Practice Acts and Direct Entry Programs

Published

Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.

Have any direct entry NP graduates run into problems with finding a job and The Nurse Practice Acts.

"The Nurse Practice Acts in several states require that nurses hold an earned degree (AAS/BSN in nursing) or a diploma in nursing prior to successful completion of the NCLEX examination in order to obtain a registered nursing license in that state."

Some direct entry master's students who licensed via a certificate program and then continued on to obtain an MSN as the first nursing degree would not be able to be licensed in those states.

I was wondering if anyone had a list of these states, or if any Direct Entry graduates have run into any problems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did a post-bacc certificate program 3 years ago, and have been working in Connecticut since. I'm about to return for my MSN and would think that would "override" the lack of a prior nursing degree, but I haven't tried to move yet. If anything I've heard CA is the most restrictive. Perhaps the issue is more with those who do a full direct-entry but don't practice as a nurse before the master's portion? The bureaucrats might just make a blanket statement and not look at the details, though.

I wonder how much this will change as more career-changing nurses enter the profession. Already many job ads wanting a bachelor's state that you must be an RN with "BSN/Bachelor's in another field" plus RN. It used to be that employers didn't really know about other pathways, now they do.

I'm interested to hear what folks say about this. I haven't heard of anyone having problems, but I also don't have nursing friends in all 50 states :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ..
Have any direct entry NP graduates run into problems with finding a job and The Nurse Practice Acts.

"The Nurse Practice Acts in several states require that nurses hold an earned degree (AAS/BSN in nursing) or a diploma in nursing prior to successful completion of the NCLEX examination in order to obtain a registered nursing license in that state."

Some direct entry master's students who licensed via a certificate program and then continued on to obtain an MSN as the first nursing degree would not be able to be licensed in those states.

I was wondering if anyone had a list of these states, or if any Direct Entry graduates have run into any problems.

Looking at the quote that you have in bold, nothing in it says that a MSN would not be acceptable. In the quote you show, the AAS/BSN appear to be just examples of the required "earned degree." An MSN degree also has to be "earned."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Looking at the quote that you have in bold, nothing in it says that a MSN would not be acceptable. In the quote you show, the AAS/BSN appear to be just examples of the required "earned degree." An MSN degree also has to be "earned."

But the issue is that candidates in a direct-entry Master's program may wish to sit for NCLEX before obtaining their earned Master's Degree.

These programs usually begin with a basic course of nursing practice preparing one for licensure as an RN, then continue with the Master's course of study. If an ADN or BSN is not granted in the first step, the candidate may not meet some states' requirement for NCLEX eligibility.

Interesting question.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ..

From what I've seen of direct entry Master's programs that have an NP focus, they grant a BSN or MSN after the first year, the student takes the NCLEX and then moves on to the NP portion of study. Once complete, they receive a Masters or post-Master's NP certificate. The Masters direct entry RN programs I've seen simply award the MSN in something like Clinical Nurse Leadership and then the student takes the NCLEX. Never seen a program that did not do it in a similar fashion. If not, it would be a problem.

OP, is there any program in particular that you have a question about?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ..

OP, another thought:

These programs have to be approved by the state board in whatever state they are in. Part of that approval process is the school laying out how its graduates will qualify for NCLEX according to that state's standard. Bottom line is that if a nursing program is recognized by the state BON, then they have either met the standard or the state has provided/agreed to some type of waiver.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.

Thanks for your answers. I was wondering about Vanderbilt's program that does not grant a BSN before taking the NCLEX. Since I really want to work in California, I am worried that I will not be able to practice there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I did a post-bacc certificate program 3 years ago, and have been working in Connecticut since. I'm about to return for my MSN and would think that would "override" the lack of a prior nursing degree, but I haven't tried to move yet. If anything I've heard CA is the most restrictive. Perhaps the issue is more with those who do a full direct-entry but don't practice as a nurse before the master's portion? The bureaucrats might just make a blanket statement and not look at the details, though.

California has a large number of direct entry MS or MSN programs compared to other states. The state Board of Registered Nursing does not specify what degree is required to get licensed as long as it meets didactic and clinical content required for RN/NP licensure. I work with at least 4 direct entry NP's who graduated from at least 3 different states.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.

Thank you. That makes me feel a little better. But I wonder if there is a list of states who require a BSN/ADN before taking the NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have offered a Direct Entry MSN program since 2005 - and we do not award a BSN degree along the way. The Virginia Board of Nursing allows our students to sit for the NCLEX exam after the MSN degree is conferred. In my state, you cannot sit for NCLEX until after you have completed a degree or diploma program.

Another Direct Entry program in Virginia awards a BSN degree after the completion of the first 16 months of study, and then the MSN/MP after the completion of an additional 20 months of full-time study. Students in this program can sit for NCLEX after the BSN degree is conferred

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

I don't know about licensing issues but I've heard that some direct entry MSN students have had trouble getting jobs working as RNs prior to graduating from their MSN programs because they don't have a nursing degree. If I'm not mistaken, there was a thread or a couple of posts about it on this board. The students were able to take the NCLEX for licensure but still had issues finding jobs. I don't know if the issue was facilities not wanting to hire them because they thought they would leave in couple of yrs or the lack of a nursing degree specifically. I think their issues were due to them trying to get a job prior to graduating with the nursing degree.

I know that Vandy pre-specialty students are able to take the NCLEX in TN after the prespecialty yr. You should then be able to then get your CA license afterwards by endorsement. I don't think you would have a problem after graduating with a MSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion