Undergrad

[auxcouleur]

Hi, I am currently an undergrad working on my BS in Biology and have become really interested in nursing for a career. A friend of mine suggested that I do a Masters in Nursing, but as I look up the programs in the colleges near me, they state that their requirements for getting a Masters is having a Bachelors in Nursing first.

Are they only speaking to the students already in their School of Nursing? Do I need to become a registered nurse/get a degree in nursing or do I just take the GRE to try to get into this program?

[elkpark]

There are lots of so-called "direct-entry" programs that allow people who have a baccalaureate degree in something other than nursing to complete basic nursing education and a Master's in nursing in one program, and that's what the people who have spoken to you are referring to. However, those programs aren't offered by every school, and it sounds like you're not finding any in your area. There are also "traditional" MSN programs that require you to already by an RN (and, typically, to hold a BSN degree as a requirement for entry). Sounds like that's what the schools in your area offer, and you would not be eligible for those programs.

Do any of the colleges in your area offer an "accelerated BSN" program? These programs are for people who already hold a baccalaureate degree in something else, and offer only the specific nursing courses required for a BSN (since you presumably already have all the credits to meet the general ed requirements of the degree). These programs are v. intense and demanding academically (lots of learning crammed into a little time), and may be only a few semesters. Lots of people in your situation choose to go that route to get into nursing.

How far along are you with your biology degree? Could you just put your biology studies on hold and work on transferring into a traditional program (lots of BSN programs are set up so that students spend the first two years completing the general ed requirements, and don't start the nursing coursework until junior year), or are you v. close to graduating? I would encourage you to talk to actual people at the nursing programs near you (all of them, including any community college programs), explain your situation, and see where/how you might fit into their programs and what hoops they would require you to jump through to finish a nursing degree. It might be easier to work out than you think, and it certainly can't hurt to ask ...

Best wishes for your search --