So I am thinking about applying to a few schools in Illinois for the Master's Direct Entry program for Non-Nursing Majors. However, I have a few questions for anyone who is in the field or currently in this program.
- Do I receive my Masters in Nursing or just my RN license (diploma)?
- Will I enter the nursing field in a higher level?
Just reading around online and just very confused about this program. I want to eventually become a FNP -- so I plan on of course getting some experience under my belt and then returning back to school.
There are Direct Entry MSN programs which prepare graduates to become Registered Nurses upon graduation. That's it.
Then there are Accelerated BSN/MSN programs. In the BSN year, you are prepared to become a Registered Nurse. In the MSN years, you are prepared to become a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Some programs are Direct Entry MSN, like John Hopkins. Others are accelerated BSN/MSN programs like Penn. There are even a few programs that will still have a "BSN" like component, but you won't matriculate with a BSN. A notation will be added to your diploma that you completed coursework towards a BSN, but it will not actually be conferred. Seattle U is one of those schools that do it this way.
I guess the real question is -- when we graduate what is the likelihood of hospital/facilities hiring new grads with our types of degrees.
I do not know why but I keep reading so many negative things about the program. To me as a outsider of this field --I think a new grad RN is the same as one with a BSN, MSN, RN Diploma. However, I am not sure if that is true or not. Just worried that I go with MSN and I have a hard time finding a job later on.
The specialty I can figure out once I am actually a nurse because who knows. I may just change my mind!
I just graduated from a direct entry generalist masters program with my MSN. I took my boards in November, and yes my license transfers to other states. I am qualified to get CNL certified. And having my MSN was so helpful when applying for jobs. I'll be working as a floor nurse in a NICU, and hope to do this for many years and eventually end up in a CNL position or some kind of leadership position.
As for advanced degrees after, you can look into post masters programs. A large portion of people in my program went right into post masters programs, and it should take you less time if you already have an MSN!
I agree that getting another bachelors felt like going backwards! Good luck!
Thank you so much for your reply! It's really assuring. I am very happy to hear that your degree is taking you far! I hope is continues to do that and more!
I just graduated from a direct entry generalist masters program with my MSN. I took my boards in November, and yes my license transfers to other states. I am qualified to get CNL certified. And having my MSN was so helpful when applying for jobs. I'll be working as a floor nurse in a NICU, and hope to do this for many years and eventually end up in a CNL position or some kind of leadership position.
As for advanced degrees after, you can look into post masters programs. A large portion of people in my program went right into post masters programs, and it should take you less time if you already have an MSN!
I agree that getting another bachelors felt like going backwards! Good luck!
Are the certificates for FNP or CRNA easy to obtain with the type of MSN we obtain? When you're a bed-side nurse can you work in any department? I really want to be in ICU or Er/ Trauma. Yeah, I have my BA in Biology & Psych and I feel like if I get the ABSN I'm just going backwards.
Thank you! Good luck to you!
No... Not easy per say but not impossible you will still have to another 1 1/2 years to get a post grad cert. I chose the accel ban which only took 12 months. I then paid off my loans and worked as a rn. After a few years, I started my fnp program and paid as I went ( plus my employer paid about 8 thousand ). Felt great to graduate debt free!
Wow that is fantastic! A huge congratulations to you! Thank you, you as well! I cannot wait to be debt free.
No... Not easy per say but not impossible you will still have to another 1 1/2 years to get a post grad cert. I chose the accel ban which only took 12 months. I then paid off my loans and worked as a rn. After a few years, I started my fnp program and paid as I went ( plus my employer paid about 8 thousand ). Felt great to graduate debt free!
I respond to this post from the vantage of being a graduate of one of the earlier DEMSN programs (which program has long since been eliminated).
I graduated in 2009 and have been continuously employed as a bedside nurse since then.
- Do I receive my Masters in Nursing or just my RN license (diploma)?
If you meet the requirements for graduation, upon you will be conferred an MSN degree. If you meet the requirements for licensing, including passing the NCLEX, you will receive a nursing license.
The latter is required in order to practice nursing. The former *may* or *may not* be required by an employer in order to be hired.
- Will I enter the nursing field in a higher level?
Certainly not at the bedside. It is possible that entering with an MSN and some relevant experience will open up some kind of non-clinical job though your experience would have to be significant and specialized.
Ultimately, an MSN would enable you to apply for some teaching jobs and may be favorably regarded if you were to apply for managerial or operations positions (quality, case management, etc), though all of those would generally require significant clinical experience in order to be considered.
Just reading around online and just very confused about this program.
About what are you confused? It's pretty simple: The program was developed to provide a pathway for degree-holders in other fields to enter nursing and study at the graduate level in parallel or in sequence with covering the fundamentals of nursing needed to meet the requirements for licensing in the state in which the program is offered.
Graduate: Get the degree.
Meet the licensing requirements: Get the license.
I want to eventually become a FNP -- so I plan on of course getting some experience under my belt and then returning back to school.
Is the direct-entry MSN focused on an FNP or other NP specialty? I completed a direct-entry MSN program that bridged me through BSN curriculum in 3 semesters to MSN (women's health NP specialty) that took 3 more semesters. I was not awarded a BSN, but qualified to take the NCLEX-RN after the first three semesters and then sat for my NP specialty certification boards after graduation with my MSN. The benefit of this for me was that I moved quickly through the program, and I was able to enter directly into an advanced practice role (but also qualified to begin practice as an RN, if I had so chosen). Although very costly compared to the traditional route, this path has served me well, and I'm happy to say that I've got 10+ years of NP practice, and now 7 years of teaching in an ADN program under my belt. If you are considering a direct-entry program and your goal is NP, then be sure the MSN is an NP focus. I think all accredited programs will offer the BSN component to qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN as well. As long as you maintain an active RN license in at least one state, it's pretty easy to transfer your license to another. NP licensure varies from state-to-state, but if you maintain board certification in your chosen specialty you should be ok to transfer that as well. I hope this makes sense, and helps you make a good decision for you. Good luck!
Thank you this is all very helpful! The schools I am looking at offer the MSN (CNL certificate)/ RN license.
Will the RN license be able to be transferred to other states?
I definitely know I want an advanced specialty degree - either NP or CRNA so when applying to those programs will that be problematic?
I know some of the CRNA schools I have looked up require a BSN but at the end I may have a MSN -- but is mine "really" a MSN degree? Or just pretty much graduate level program that gives out a RN license?
Thank you!
Bolding mine. Each state BON has their requirements for transferring an RN license. I was briefly licensed in another state as requirement for a telephonic nursing job I was doing on the side; they verified my license with my home state's BON, and then I just had to pay the fees for the checking and for the license itself. I remember being told in nursing school that there were a couple of states that did require the applicant to pass the NCLEX in their state...but I want to say it was only 2 states or so, and this was 13+ years ago (I graduated in December 2002.)
There are no direct entry CRNA programs. These are a different animal than many graduate level programs. They tend to be highly competitive requiring interviews and recommendations from multiple nursing supervisors, and definitely no online programs, vs some other APRN tracks. However the big thing that is a prerequisite is a background in adult ICU. Some programs require 1 year, some say 1 year but in reality the competitive applicants have 3-5 years. I just looked at one of our local anesthesia program's requirements, and they have "baccalaureate degree" as a prereq -- either BSN or an ADN with some other BS/BA. Now would they be willing to accept an MSN, I don't know... you could always ask in the CRNA or SRNA fora here on AN. However, if your end goal is to be a CRNA, honestly I would focus my energies on getting a BSN and on getting exerience in ICU nursing. I'm not sure that extra education in the philosophical/theoretical areas of nursing would give you an advantage in a CRNA program which is more heavy on the technical and hard science.
Yes, you would have an MSN at the end of one of these programs. It is able to be accomplished more quickly than a traditional BSN to MSN track because the program takes into account your work on a previously earned BS/BA degree. They're able to cut to the chase because you have already taken so many credits in humanities, writing, fine arts, global studies, math, etc; you don't need to take all of that for a BA in English and then repeat it for a BS in nursing. No nursing program gives an RN license. Nursing programs give you the knowledge, the school verifies that you are a graduate of their accredited program, and then you take the NCLEX which is administered apart from your school. If you pass it, you receive an RN license; if you fail it, you don't.
But again, you don't want to spend a lot of time and money on high-level nursing education that doesn't serve a specific function toward meeting your goals. Re: comment #7, getting a BSN isn't going backwards. Let's say tomorrow I woke up and decided I was sick of nursing but wanted to become a teacher. Getting a BS in education would not be a step backwards, because today I have NO background in education. Likewise you have no background in nursing, although you already have a BS.
Another option is to look for Accelerated BSN ("ABSN") programs. These likewise take previous degree work into account, and so are faster than the traditional BSN programs which can be started just out of high school. And then, If you still wish to become an NP or a CRNA you won't have spent a lot of extra time on nursing theory or other things of that nature.
In your earlier posts you seem to be hung up on the idea of going "backwards" if you go for the BSN. It's not really going backwards, it's just doubling up. In my personal opinion, the direct entry MSN programs are not really worth it if you have the opportunity to do an Accelerated BSN. Yes, you are getting a second bachelors degree but once you get licensed, you can get some experience and see what kind of masters you really want (nurse ed, leadership, NP, ect). Additionally, wherever you work as an RN may pay some of your tuition for your masters, potentially saving you money in the long run.
I had the opportunity to apply for either an accelerated MSN for non-nurses (NP) or an accelerated BSN for non-nurses (2nd degree). I chose the BSN. I really think it's the better choice.
I'm confused. So now you can earn an MSN if you have an undergraduate degree in almost anything, take Boards and get an RN license, and you don't have to do all those pesky clinicals beforehand and be "just a bedside nurse," even for a minimum length of time?
MiHopeFull, MSN, RN, NP
70 Posts
I'm not sure what you're asking?