UT Austin Alternate Entry MSN program

RN2BENAUSTIN · Aug 12, 2008

I wish I had some good info, I am looking at applying this November. Have you applied? Have you heard how difficult it is to get in? And have you decided on a specialty? I just dont know which tract is best for a general MSN. Thanks in advance for any tips :)

cabolissa · Aug 14, 2008

I wish I had some good info, I am looking at applying this November. Have you applied? Have you heard how difficult it is to get in? And have you decided on a specialty? I just dont know which tract is best for a general MSN. Thanks in advance for any tips :)

Did you get your prerequisites done?

RN2BENAUSTIN · Aug 15, 2008

I am still completing them, this Fall I am doing Genetics, Micro and Pharmacology & taking a GRE prep class and volunteer at Seton. I'm going to take the GRE in mid October and then apply to UT in November. I was told that the pre reqs just needed to be complete by the time the program starts (June). I will need to take Physiology and Chem in the Spring. Its a big load with 3 young kids, especially making sure I maintain a 4.0, I put that pressure on myself because I have heard how competitive it is. And I am not sure what speciality I am going to choose. I wish there was a general AE MSN, hate to determine the specialty this early on...

How about you? Are you thinking of UT's AE MSN? If so, what specialty are you looking at?

cabolissa · Aug 15, 2008

I am still completing them, this Fall I am doing Genetics, Micro and Pharmacology & taking a GRE prep class and volunteer at Seton. I'm going to take the GRE in mid October and then apply to UT in November. I was told that the pre reqs just needed to be complete by the time the program starts (June). I will need to take Physiology and Chem in the Spring. Its a big load with 3 young kids, especially making sure I maintain a 4.0, I put that pressure on myself because I have heard how competitive it is. And I am not sure what speciality I am going to choose. I wish there was a general AE MSN, hate to determine the specialty this early on...
How about you? Are you thinking of UT's AE MSN? If so, what specialty are you looking at?

Yes, I'm currently trying to decide which program fits my needs more, UT's AE MSN or Concordia University's (Irvine, CA) AE BSN (12 months) program. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to 4-5 more years of college (what with prereq's and working F/T after the 1st year while school P/T). Also, the BSN program only requires 5 prereqs that I don't yet have, and the MSN requires me to complete 8 more plus the GRE. In the end, I'm just wondering how much it will affect my paycheck/overall job satisfaction.

My area of focus will be: labor/delivery, NICU, PICU - some form of mother and/or baby. That was the easy part for me! I also have two kids (12 and 1) so that's why I'm a bit scared of the MSN program. I figure that I could always go back to complete my MSN later, or once I have the RN, BSN I could do it online at my own convenience. Or, maybe I'll decide I don't need it.

RN2BENAUSTIN · Aug 15, 2008

I know what you mean, I spoke with someone at Seton, specifically, wondering if the MSN was really worth the amount of time. She recommended going on for the MSN, since I already had a bachelors. But, she also said regardless the degree type, we would all start out at the same pay rate. But, with a BSN or MSN, you would have more advancement opportunities. Its not that I want to make a ton of $$, just enough to justify my going back to school for this long and being a financial burdon to the family!

I also love the Baby/Mother care idea, it was my goal when I first began - but lately I have been thinking about Genetic research too. I may change my mind 100 times!

I assume you are in Austin, do you have to move to CA for the Concordia option? Do you know about Texas Techs 12 month program? You can do that from here.

I can give you names of wonderful professors for some of your pre reqs if you want. I am doing all the pre reqs at ACC, for about 1/4 of the price of UT!

cabolissa · Aug 15, 2008

I know what you mean, I spoke with someone at Seton, specifically, wondering if the MSN was really worth the amount of time. She recommended going on for the MSN, since I already had a bachelors. But, she also said regardless the degree type, we would all start out at the same pay rate. But, with a BSN or MSN, you would have more advancement opportunities. Its not that I want to make a ton of $$, just enough to justify my going back to school for this long and being a financial burdon to the family!
I also love the Baby/Mother care idea, it was my goal when I first began - but lately I have been thinking about Genetic research too. I may change my mind 100 times!
I assume you are in Austin, do you have to move to CA for the Concordia option? Do you know about Texas Techs 12 month program? You can do that from here.
I can give you names of wonderful professors for some of your pre reqs if you want. I am doing all the pre reqs at ACC, for about 1/4 of the price of UT!

Thanks! Actually, I live in Orange County CA and have been considering a relocation to Austin area (Round Rock) because of it's cost of living. We were planning on moving there in August 2009, but I might postpone that by a year to attend Concordia's program. It's quite stressful trying to complete 5 prereq's while working F/T and mothering my 2 kids (and DH)! How did you do it?

RN2BENAUSTIN · Aug 15, 2008

I don't know how you do it with a job! I have been a stay at home mom and my youngest will start school next year, which is when I hope to be officially starting a Nursing program. It is hard when mommy is always studying, I just completed a 5.5 week Anatomy class, and it was tough on everyone, I had to dedicate 16 hours a day to study to pull an A. Thank goodness, the kids were able to stay with their Grandparents during some of that time!

You may not have to work as much if you moved here, it's less expensive than CA for sure! We have lived here for 7 years, and we started out near Round Rock and now live on SW Austin. And we LOVE it! Its a wonderful city, but I will warn you---the pay for nursing is SIGNIFICANTLY less than CA. In fact, I hear that Austin has the worst pay scale statewide. But, its worth it to me. Keep in touch, its always nice to talk to others on the same path.

cabolissa · Aug 18, 2008

I don't know how you do it with a job! I have been a stay at home mom and my youngest will start school next year, which is when I hope to be officially starting a Nursing program. It is hard when mommy is always studying, I just completed a 5.5 week Anatomy class, and it was tough on everyone, I had to dedicate 16 hours a day to study to pull an A. Thank goodness, the kids were able to stay with their Grandparents during some of that time!
You may not have to work as much if you moved here, it's less expensive than CA for sure! We have lived here for 7 years, and we started out near Round Rock and now live on SW Austin. And we LOVE it! Its a wonderful city, but I will warn you---the pay for nursing is SIGNIFICANTLY less than CA. In fact, I hear that Austin has the worst pay scale statewide. But, its worth it to me. Keep in touch, its always nice to talk to others on the same path.

Wow, that's a little scary about the pay. Do you know a good source of information for salaries nationwide?

Also, UT's prerequisite chart offers some online options. Are you familiar with any of these?

RN2BENAUSTIN · Aug 18, 2008

Wow, that's a little scary about the pay. Do you know a good source of information for salaries nationwide?
Also, UT's prerequisite chart offers some online options. Are you familiar with any of these?

Salary - try payscale.com and salary.com - I actually have only heard from others on this board and two friends here in Austin that the starting pay is around $21 an hour, I think 21-25 would be a good initial range and then consider differentials. Maybe some Austin nurses in this forum can give you more specifics. Honestly, as far as cost of living and pay, Houston (I hear) is the best. But, I love Austin and think its well worth a pay cut to live here. And, if your coming from CA, it will seem so inexpensive to live here. Check out the Southwest side of town. Typically the further West you go in Austin, the prettier it is and more expensive, but I have lived all around Austin and can fill you in on schools and neighborhoods. I am also a home builder (not currently taking on homes - of course) but can set you up with good subs for remodels and mortgage and realtors. Good, honest people (sometimes hard to find in that field).

And, I did see that some of UT's pre reqs are online, in fact I checked out the online options for Genetics, and was just about to sign up for Brigham Young's course, because it was much more cost effective than any other online option.

Regarding UT - the credit cost per hour for undergrad Nursing (in state) is $1300, for 9 hours, considering you pay a little less per hour the more you take, is about $4000.

Actually, I have had a change in plans and it may be something you might want to consider as well. Thanks to this awesome community I have found a great option thru Texas A&M Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) - its 100% online and credit per hour is only $291, about $1900 for 9 hours.

The above tuition costs are for 08-09.

The TAMU ELINE program http://www.eline.tamucc.edu/faq.htm

is for an "acclerated" BSN but actually takes a bit longer than some acc BSN's. You have the flexibility of getting done as soon as 18 months or up several years as needed.

I have decided on the BSN route for several reasons:

1. UT AE MSN makes you lock into a track - and I simply cannot choose one at this point

2. The advisor at UT said if I though I wanted to go the NP route, I could actually do it faster by getting an Acclerated BSN through Tech or TAMU, then work a couple of years and then going back for a MSN/NP

3. I was warned by a local hospital and the UT advisor that it can be difficult to work and complete the Masters portion of the program (you are an RN after 15 months - then complete 2 years of Masters work to finish the degree plan)

4. With 3 kids, the online coursework (with local clinicals) will be much easier to manage (time wise) not that "online" is easier than in class instruction - its not for everyone- I am very focused (or obsessed) with getting through this, so I know I will easily put 10-12 hours a day into coursework.

5. Since I have a Bachelors, I was dead set on not "just" getting a BSN, but then I realized a BSN and a typical bachelors are two COMPLETLY different degrees and wonder if going from a non nursing career straight to MSN would be the right step for me

6. PLUS - I know I do want a MSN - but I can always go back with a BSN-MSN option online and hopfully have some tuition assistance from my future employer. And I think overall time with an ACC BSN and then online MSN will work out to be about 1 year longer than going through the AE MSN program.

So, sorry this was so long, I was only hoping offer some insight to some of you seeking the same answers. I have spent many sleepless nights going over every option. I have an EXCEL workbook with every option available to me, pro-con, costs, pre reqs - you name it! So, please feel free to PM me or post a question on here, I love to talk with others on the same track.

cabolissa · Aug 18, 2008

Salary - try payscale.com and salary.com - I actually have only heard from others on this board and two friends here in Austin that the starting pay is around $21 an hour, I think 21-25 would be a good initial range and then consider differentials. Maybe some Austin nurses in this forum can give you more specifics. Honestly, as far as cost of living and pay, Houston (I hear) is the best. But, I love Austin and think its well worth a pay cut to live here. And, if your coming from CA, it will seem so inexpensive to live here. Check out the Southwest side of town. Typically the further West you go in Austin, the prettier it is and more expensive, but I have lived all around Austin and can fill you in on schools and neighborhoods. I am also a home builder (not currently taking on homes - of course) but can set you up with good subs for remodels and mortgage and realtors. Good, honest people (sometimes hard to find in that field).
And, I did see that some of UT's pre reqs are online, in fact I checked out the online options for Genetics, and was just about to sign up for Brigham Young's course, because it was much more cost effective than any other online option.
Regarding UT - the credit cost per hour for undergrad Nursing (in state) is $1300, for 9 hours, considering you pay a little less per hour the more you take, is about $4000.
Actually, I have had a change in plans and it may be something you might want to consider as well. Thanks to this awesome community I have found a great option thru Texas A&M Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) - its 100% online and credit per hour is only $291, about $1900 for 9 hours.
The above tuition costs are for 08-09.
The TAMU ELINE program http://www.eline.tamucc.edu/faq.htm
is for an "acclerated" BSN but actually takes a bit longer than some acc BSN's. You have the flexibility of getting done as soon as 18 months or up several years as needed.
I have decided on the BSN route for several reasons:
1. UT AE MSN makes you lock into a track - and I simply cannot choose one at this point
2. The advisor at UT said if I though I wanted to go the NP route, I could actually do it faster by getting an Acclerated BSN through Tech or TAMU, then work a couple of years and then going back for a MSN/NP
3. I was warned by a local hospital and the UT advisor that it can be difficult to work and complete the Masters portion of the program (you are an RN after 15 months - then complete 2 years of Masters work to finish the degree plan)
4. With 3 kids, the online coursework (with local clinicals) will be much easier to manage (time wise) not that "online" is easier than in class instruction - its not for everyone- I am very focused (or obsessed) with getting through this, so I know I will easily put 10-12 hours a day into coursework.
5. Since I have a Bachelors, I was dead set on not "just" getting a BSN, but then I realized a BSN and a typical bachelors are two COMPLETLY different degrees and wonder if going from a non nursing career straight to MSN would be the right step for me
6. PLUS - I know I do want a MSN - but I can always go back with a BSN-MSN option online and hopfully have some tuition assistance from my future employer. And I think overall time with an ACC BSN and then online MSN will work out to be about 1 year longer than going through the AE MSN program.
So, sorry this was so long, I was only hoping offer some insight to some of you seeking the same answers. I have spent many sleepless nights going over every option. I have an EXCEL workbook with every option available to me, pro-con, costs, pre reqs - you name it! So, please feel free to PM me or post a question on here, I love to talk with others on the same track.

Thanks so much for all the info. I'll look into the A&M option, but do you have to be local to do that option? I'd love an entirely online choice, but haven't found one. When I'm ready to move that way, I'll get in touch with you. My email is [email protected]. Please email me and introduce yourself!

NAM123 · Oct 16, 2010

Hello everyone

first of all RN2BENAUSTIN thank you sooooooo much for your good explanation and yes i am confused too. When I first looked at the MSN program that UT is offering i was so shocked and happy the fact i can complete MSN so fast. But, now that i have read your post i am thinking if it is a good choice or not. I also have a BS (from UT-austin) and i am going into nursing now... I think there is so much to learn and maybe this fast track might be too fast. Yes it will be hard but is it worth it? Will i have any problems down the road because i learned so much so fast? will it effect my career down the line.. so those are the things i am asking myself and boyyyy i am sooo lost..

I actually moved back home (HOUSTON) and i am applying to UT-Houston here for BSN.

Hey, are they requiring us to take GRE? If i do decide to do that ALT. MSN then i have to take 3 classes (all hard) and GRE if they require it...

what are yall going to do?