What would you do in this situation?

[EMEddie]

Hello everyone; I simply need an input from you guys: This is my situation:

A) I am currently an RN {ASN} with the goal of becoming an MSN/FNP. Before going to Nursing School, I was at X university working on my Public Health Degree. When I got accepted into the nursing program, I left my university and went to the community college to complete my Nursing. I have one class left to complete my B.S. in Public Health; this class is Epidemiology, all of my upper division college majors and G.E. have been taken.

B) I have a friend, whom went with me to nursing school; he has a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology. We are both pretty good friends, we went to nursing school together, we got hired on the same floor at the same time in the same hospital; we both later transferred to ICU at the same time as well.

A few months ago, he decided to go and talk to my university "X" and ask about their MSN/FNP program. They have a requirement to have a BSN degree to be accepted to this program, my friend doesn't have it, he only has a B.S. in Kinesiology and an ASN. Somehow, The Chair of the Nursing Department and the Director of the MSN program told him that they will work with him so he can obtain his BSN degree by obtaining three classes: Community Health Nursing, Health Assessment and Leadership, these classes will be offered during this summer, he will take them and then he will be able to start the MSN/FNP program in the fall.

When my friend told me this; I was very excited for him and I also thought I could go to the university and talk to them.

I sent an email to the same persons my friend met with and I told them that I am one class away from completing my B.S. in Public Health Degree and that all of our background is pretty much the same. I asked to meet with them because I was very interested in also given this opportunity his is being given and take those "3" BSN classes and complete my BSN degree and then I would take that remaining class in Public Health and as well, I would finish that degree and have a double major. These two people told me I couldn't do this, they said that if I was interested in obtaining a BSN, I had to do their RN to BSN program, which is 3 semesters. I explained to them that if my friend is being given that opportunity, why cant I? I understand that he will be starting the MSN/FNP program and if I CANT do that at this time, its fine, but I feel that I deserve to be given this opportunity to complete those three classes he is being given to complete his BSN degree.

Still, they said I couldn't, they only said that My friend was a different situation. I became very upset and sad because I feel this is unfair and I am not given this equal opportunity. Later on a second meeting, one of these persons said I could not take Community Health Nursing in the summer because the requirement for this class is "Research". As part of my Public Health Degree, we didnt take Research, but did a research/senior project which involved a lot of the research modalities. The ironic thing is that my friend didnt take a research class either, he did a senior project, yet he is being given the chance to take this class in the summer, yet I am not.

I met with the intern Dean of the Department of Health/Nursing, I explained my concerns and still, even though she was more helpful and listened more; she still thinks I cant take those classes in the summer, again, she said that my friend was a different situation.

The different situation and only difference is that he has completed his Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology already; in my case, I am one class away from completing my B.S. in Public Health. I am not asking to be enrolled in the MSN program, but the opportunity to take those 3 BSN classes and be able to get my BSN degree just like he is.

I told the Dean today that I feel my academic background is comparable to his or even more because of my several classes in Community Health {4 of them}, Human Disease, Health Behavior, etc.

What do you guys think I should do? I feel so frustrated and upset....

Thanks in advance.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Gee whiz - I do understand your frustration. One thing I've learned throughout all MY missteps in my education is that just because someone else can do it (meaning it is whatever I want at that time) doesn't mean I can do or get it.

My advice since you've talked with the interim dean is to forget this university. Research the ADN to MSN approaches and skip the BSN all together.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

First, I would not be so certain that you and he are in the exact same situation unless you have looked at each official transcript and compared it to the classes on the BSN degree plan and can justify that statement. Just because he has a degree and you are one class short, does not constitute "almost same situation". You maybe in a very similar situation, but that doesn't mean that it is similar enough in the eyes of the school for them to give you the same special plan they are giving him.

Second, If you truly feel you are being wronged, then you could take it up the administration. I would suggest the dean of students or the school provost if you were talking to the administration at my local university. I don't know the organizational chart at your university, so you would have to identify the correct person to discuss it with.

Third, there are several programs that accept students with a BS and RN degree (but not a BSN) for their MSN or DNP in NP programs. You could always complete your BS degree and then apply to one of those programs. The best way to get back to the administration at this particular college is to take your money and time and invest it in a better/different program. That way when they want your alumni donations, you can remind them that they didn't want you for their MSN program so you will be sending your alumni checks to the school that did!

[RNwannabeCNM]

It sounds like what your friend is being offered is a "bridge" to the masters degree. He will not actually be awarded a BSN, but will be allowed to matriculate into the masters program because he already has a bachelors degree in another field. There are a lot of universities that do this. What you are asking for is to be awarded a BSN through only taking three classes - I do not know of any university that will do that. Even I, who had a bachelors degree in another field, had to take three semesters of classes to earn my BSN.

[Grneyzrn]

I would go ahead and look into other programs.