What should I know about Applying to an Entry level Nursing Masters Program?

verene, MSN · Feb 9, 2017

What are some ways I can complete clinical hours required for these programs? (I'm trying to get a job as a scribe, fingers Crossed!)

I am not quite sure what you mean by this? Many PA programs require potential applicants to have direct-care healthcare experience before applying. Most direct entry masters nursing programs do not. (Though it can be argued they should). Clinical hours are hours of training completed during the program in a healthcare setting.

Healthcare experience hours (pre-application) can be accumulated in a variety of ways depending on the specific requriements of the program. Some may accept volunteer hours, in which case hospitals, blood banks, hospice organizations, etc all offer opportunities to volunteer. Working in healthcare: Scribe, EMT, CNA etc. CNAs fall under the nursing model and will likely give you the most direct experience working under a nurse.

What is the cheapest way to complete the missing prerequisites for a Master's program?

Local, public, community college. In person or online.

What are the day to day differences between a PA and an NP?

Basic: PAs fall under the medical model, NPs under the nursing model of care. PA programs are generalist in education built around the medical model, it can be thought of as "med school light" in some regards though this is not entirely accurate. PAs work under the supervision of an MD and are more commonly found in acute care settings (though some do work in urgent care or out-patient clinics).

An NP is an advanced practice nurse, and the role was initially a way of filling primary care needs, though it has since evolved and NPs work in specialty and acute care settings. NPs follow the nursing model of care, and require becoming a registered nurse as part of the education. One thing to consider is that will nursing education at the ADN/BSN level is generalist, at the advanced level it is not. This means you need to know which specialty you want to work in as an NP BEFORE applying to masters programs. This decision can be very difficult (or even impossible) to make if you do not have any healthcare experience.

I strongly recommend doing more research before you apply (if you decide to apply after learning more). You want to have a clear picture of the medical model vs nusing model of care, role of PA and NP, NP specializations, as well as some understanding of the job market for all the above options. In some locals direct-entry MSN programs are looked down upon as churning out ill-prepared graduates. So you really want to look at program quality, and if the local job market is even willing to hire graduate from such programs.

Also any other advise is welcomed! (Should I take the GRE and what score should I aim for? Best places to apply and why? Financial Aid for the masters programs available?) Do as much research as you can. Try to job shadow or conduct informational interviews with PAs and NPs. Every program has different enterance requirements. So require GRE, some do not. You need to know what you want out of the program, which programs provide that education, and the requirements for those programs. Financial aid is available for graduate degree (provided you don't already have another graduate degree), but do not expect full funding, the bulk of it will likely be loans.