Wanting to apply to a master entry program, while I am in BSN program

[SentryRN2b]

Hey fellow future graduate nursing students.

I made a big mistake by not knowing much about my nursing school's master entry to nursing program.

Basically, it's a two-year program that's open to people who already have a Bachelor's degree in any field, except for nursing (BSN). So a guy with a bachelor's degree in history, or art, could apply to this program.

Well, I applied to the BSN program, got admitted, and am currently in my 2nd semester. I only found out about this program halfway through my 1st semester. However, the application process does not start until the beginning of September.

I would like to apply to the master entry program, which starts in July of next year. By that time, I have completed the third semester of my BSN program.

The reason for me wanting to go the master's route is

#1) I already have a bachelor's degree in business

#2) I have been enrolled (but withdrew) in a graduate-level health profession (not nursing) school in the past,...so I think I can handle the stress and rigor.

#3) I like the work environment of being a nurse practitioner, versus that of a general RN.

#4) I hate to talk bad about some of the students in my class, but the majority of them are the typical young, cliquish, immature students one would encounter in a high school setting. I have met a lot of the graduate nursing students at my school, the master entry to nursing program, and a lot of them have worked in various fields, have life experiences under their belt, and aren't the typical immature students you encounter in BSN or ADN programs.

I also look to the future. If I continue on my BSN route, I will graduate about five months earlier than the graduation date of the grad nursing program.

Once I start working as an RN, and have a family, it will be very hard for me to go back to school, to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Yes, I have heard that there are hospitals that will pay your tuition if they feel that they want you to get a master's degree. But to be honest, if I am BOTH working and attending school, it will take me a minimum of four years to get a master's degree. Plus traditional master's degree in nursing program takes two years.

The accelerated master's entry to nursing program takes one year, the second year of the program, to specialize in the field.

What do you guys think is the best option? Should I stick with my BSN program, graduate, and then go straight to graduate school? Or should I hurry up and start the application process for the master's entry to nursing program?

What are the pro's and con's of being a nurse practitioner, versus being a general RN?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Hey fellow future graduate nursing students.

I made a big mistake by not knowing much about my nursing school's master entry to nursing program.

Basically, it's a two-year program that's open to people who already have a Bachelor's degree in any field, except for nursing (BSN). So a guy with a bachelor's degree in history, or art, could apply to this program.

Well, I applied to the BSN program, got admitted, and am currently in my 2nd semester. I only found out about this program halfway through my 1st semester. However, the application process does not start until the beginning of September.

I would like to apply to the master entry program, which starts in July of next year. By that time, I have completed the third semester of my BSN program.

The reason for me wanting to go the master's route is

#1) I already have a bachelor's degree in business

#2) I have been enrolled (but withdrew) in a graduate-level health profession (not nursing) school in the past,...so I think I can handle the stress and rigor.

#3) I like the work environment of being a nurse practitioner, versus that of a general RN.

#4) I hate to talk bad about some of the students in my class, but the majority of them are the typical young, cliquish, immature students one would encounter in a high school setting. I have met a lot of the graduate nursing students at my school, the master entry to nursing program, and a lot of them have worked in various fields, have life experiences under their belt, and aren't the typical immature students you encounter in BSN or ADN programs.

I also look to the future. If I continue on my BSN route, I will graduate about five months earlier than the graduation date of the grad nursing program.

Once I start working as an RN, and have a family, it will be very hard for me to go back to school, to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Yes, I have heard that there are hospitals that will pay your tuition if they feel that they want you to get a master's degree. But to be honest, if I am BOTH working and attending school, it will take me a minimum of four years to get a master's degree. Plus traditional master's degree in nursing program takes two years.

The accelerated master's entry to nursing program takes one year, the second year of the program, to specialize in the field.

What do you guys think is the best option? Should I stick with my BSN program, graduate, and then go straight to graduate school? Or should I hurry up and start the application process for the master's entry to nursing program?

What are the pro's and con's of being a nurse practitioner, versus being a general RN?

*** First the pros of NP vs RN is mainly schedual. Typicaly (in my area) NPs make close to, or often less than bedside RNs who are working nights and weekends, or a mix of days and nights. A majoriety of NP jobs seems to be weekday jobs with regular hours. Often no weekends or holidays are required. That said there certainly are NP jobs out there that require NOCs & weekends. Especialy ER jobs but others too. the other big benfit is working conditions. Usually an NP can expect to come home from work fairly clean and not having preformed any heavy lifting.

I should warn you that it has been my observation that there is considerable discrimination aginst NPs who never worked as bedside RNs. NPs and PAs often compete for the same jobs. However PAs recieve far more clinical training than the basic NP does. This is cause it is assumed that the NP comes to the job with considerable bedside RN experience. An NP lacking this experience may be looked at with sceptisism. YMMV.

I think you should look into employment prospects in the area you wish to work in for NPs in general and NPs without RN experience in particular before making your decision.

Good luck!

[SentryRN2b]

Thanks for your input, PMFB-RN!

See, I did not know too much about nursing school prior to applying for the BSN program.

I thought that all nursing schools either awarded ADN or BSN degrees. Sure there are master degree of nursing for those who already achieved their BSN at an accredited nursing school.

But I was NOT aware that there were master entry level to nursing for students who have a bachelor's degree in anything, but nursing.

Now I know that UCSF, Yale and many other institutes in the US, have this kind of program.

I just want to bonk my head against a wall for not knowing about these master entry programs. I feel a bit weird getting a second bachelor's degree.

Don't get me wrong. My BSN program is very rigorous, and compared to my B.S. in Political Science, my BSN homework, quizes, tests/exams, projects are way more demanding than what I have studied for my Poly Sci courses.

The factors that are holding me back from applying to the master entry to nursing program at my institute are the following:

1) Money, money, money. Tuition for the master entry program is around $45,000 per year. Whoa! (I will need to take out loans for that, and I am already in debt for mortgages!).

My BSN tuition is only around $5,480 per semester, which I pay by installments per semester. BIG difference in price!!

2) By the time I start the graduate program, given that I have been admitted to the master's program, I will be halfway done with my BSN program.