Thinking about graduate school

canadiangradschoolrn · Aug 31, 2009

You should look at this website. www.allnursingschools.com

There will be a list of what you are looking for, including online programs. Hope this helps.

Qka · Aug 31, 2009

You should look at this website. www.allnursingschools.com
There will be a list of what you are looking for, including online programs. Hope this helps.

Thanks! I will look at this!

Are there any students like me, who got their RN and bachelor in another field and now go to graduate school? COuld you write what schools do you go to and if it is online/on campus/ or other?

elkpark · Aug 31, 2009

I would strongly encourage you to spend some time working in nursing (a year or two, at least) before making any decisions about grad school. Most people don't realize until they're in nursing what a wide range of options are available, and it takes a while to start to get a feel for how the larger world of nursing works and where your strongest interests lie over time. Most graduate degrees in nursing lock you into a particular career role/path, and I have known quite a few people who "rushed" into graduate school only to find, after they were out of grad school and working, that they didn't particularly enjoy or want to do what their graduate degree had prepared them to do -- and now they're stuck with a graduate degree and career path they don't particularly want (plus paying back the student loans!), and they're casting about for what they really want to do.

You will spend an awful lot of time, $$$, and effort on any graduate degree in nursing -- please, for your own sake, put in the time and effort up front to be sure you're getting a degree you actually want, that will get you what you want professionally. What seems to work best for people is to first figure out what you want to do with your career (what do you want to be doing, most of the day, most days, for most of the rest of your life?). and then look into what degree(s) you need to get you there.

CRNA programs require that you have at least a year's ICU experience (full-time) to be eligible, and the bare minimum of experience won't make you a particularly competitive candidate (the programs are extremely competitive, and there are lots of candidates with many years clinical experience applying -- of course, that's not the only factor schools consider.) So, If you're thinking CRNA, your first step (after licensure) would be to work on getting an ICU position. Some programs require a BSN; some will take RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other subjects but, I believe (I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that "other" degrees they accept are usually hard science degrees (chemistry, biology, etc.)

Qka · Aug 31, 2009

I would strongly encourage you to spend some time working in nursing (a year or two, at least) before making any decisions about grad school. Most people don't realize until they're in nursing what a wide range of options are available, and it takes a while to start to get a feel for how the larger world of nursing works and where your strongest interests lie over time. Most graduate degrees in nursing lock you into a particular career role/path, and I have known quite a few people who "rushed" into graduate school only to find, after they were out of grad school and working, that they didn't particularly enjoy or want to do what their graduate degree had prepared them to do -- and now they're stuck with a graduate degree and career path they don't particularly want (plus paying back the student loans!), and they're casting about for what they really want to do.
You will spend an awful lot of time, $$$, and effort on any graduate degree in nursing -- please, for your own sake, put in the time and effort up front to be sure you're getting a degree you actually want, that will get you what you want professionally. What seems to work best for people is to first figure out what you want to do with your career (what do you want to be doing, most of the day, most days, for most of the rest of your life?). and then look into what degree(s) you need to get you there.
CRNA programs require that you have at least a year's ICU experience (full-time) to be eligible, and the bare minimum of experience won't make you a particularly competitive candidate (the programs are extremely competitive, and there are lots of candidates with many years clinical experience applying -- of course, that's not the only factor schools consider.) So, If you're thinking CRNA, your first step (after licensure) would be to work on getting an ICU position. Some programs require a BSN; some will take RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other subjects but, I believe (I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that "other" degrees they accept are usually hard science degrees (chemistry, biology, etc.)

Thanks for your post. Yes, I know CRNA programs requirements (ICU experience, GRE, High GPA, etc). I can imagine how competitive they are. And as I wrote I am considering graduate school not right now, but in several years. I just want to look what schools are available in my area, what specializations, etc. because having a family it is very hard for all us to relocate to other areas. Though it is also possible. Thanks for your words. I will take them into consideration

UVA Grad Nursing · Sep 1, 2009

One caveat about allnursingschools.com -- it is not an inclusive list of nursing programs. It is a commercial site and all the schools listed have paid an advertising rate to be listed.

My University is no longer listed there. The fee to be listed was nearly $5000/year to be listed under a state, and more to be listed as an online program. I'd rather spend money for student scholarships that to be listed in an online advertising list.

A better option would be to go to www.nlnac.org or to http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE/reports/accprog.asp and see a list of accredited programs in your state. This will be a full list of programs (and not just those with advertising budgets).

pavlos · Dec 16, 2009

i'm currently contemplating on getting into graduate school. i have incurred more than a year of experience and it just dawned on me that, in the situation where i am at right now is echoing tautology and i see no advancement for my career in the near future unless i have been working for at least 10 years in doing the same thing all over again. right now, i feel like i have this epiphany similar to what priest have, like its their calling, as for me a deep insight of my future. i'd like to be the one who makes the rounds, doing administrative work and still keeping the area in tight ship. plus i get to be the boss is a welcome perquisite.

and then in reality, just like suzy orman always ask, "can i afford it?"

i'm considering new york (where else should i venture? but in the land where all dreams are made of, and whose big lights will inspire you--enough with that)

since i'll be an international student and my chances are slim, F-1, should i enroll in ivy league or schools with namesakes just for sake that its credible, or the consular will be able to see right past through my decorated accomplishments and letter of eligibilty for issuance of said visa that i truly want it and that it will benefit me and my future employer here or abroad (more like the UN, that is my penultimate task to be achieved right next to fulfilling my personal wishes of course). Or should i just settle for state run universities or schools whose just gaining popularity in the rankings (e.g. "the hottest schools in america")

btw, why UN you might ask? i seek to gain MPA or MPH in health policy.

thanks!