Wilkes Professional Masters program?

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Hello everyone!

Nice to be in the company of some trusted people and their opinions!

Question:

Currently, practicing law (B.A-Political Science and J.D.-Law). Decided to go back to school for nursing and eventually becoming a CRNA (Shadowed a Crna).

This summer I am enrolled in AP II and Microbiology at local university to finish the prerequesites to enter the Wilkes University's (PA) Professional Masters Program for students who have a Bachelor's degree in a non-science field. Elegible to take the RN exam

Program is August to August- 1 intense and consolidated year.

Present Professor of Micro is completely against me entering Wilkes program. She has told me that I will have a problem getting a job in a I.C.U (required for admission into a CRNA program) after I obtain my Masters degree because of the lack of clinical experience. She also believes that I will not have the ability or knowledge to practice as an RN if I was ever able to pass the RN exam with such limited knowledge in that short of time period.

Any thoughts?

Lndcrsrlvr

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have to admit that I'm not familiar with this program. If I understand you correctly, you are going to a Physician's Assistant program in order to become a nurse? Though both are in the medical field, the education is vastly different. I would go with your professor and do an actual nursing course. This would be especially important if CRNA is your goal.

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I think by PA the OP is referring to Pennsylvania, not Physician Assistant. I don't know much about the ABSN or direct entry programs though.

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1. Is your Micro professor a nurse or nursing instructor?

2. Why would a new grad in Penn have trouble landing an ICU internship? Have you researched whether ICU internships or spots for new RN's are hard to come buy in you area? Once you pass the NCLEX, you've proved you know as much as any new grad. I don't see why it should be a problem UNLESS there is an issue in your area. New grads get hired into ICU all the time. That's why they stick the newbies in a good intership program. Many of the new grads on this board post about getting ICU spots right out of school.

Lots of people (even nurses) are unfamiliar with the new accelerated nursing programs for students with degrees. ALL of them are intense. MOST of them are very good. As long as you've picked a good school and are willing to STUDY, STUDY, STUDY, you'll be just as good as a new nurse graduating from a traditional program. The key is to pick an EXCELLENT ICU internship after you graduate.

If you feel you want more clinical experience, get a job as a CNA before nursing school starts.

Folks on this board have done the accelerated nursing programs, gone into a new grad ICU internship, worked for a period of time (some one year some much more) and gotten into CRNA programs.

Make sure this is just not a case of sour grapes or a lack of knowledge on your professor's part. Also check out your accelerated Master's program carefully to make sure it is a good one (pass rates, Clinical standards, reputation, talk to former students...)

It might also be a good idea to talk to folks at the CRNA programs your interested in to see what they say about your school, the accelerated Master's degree and the ICU training in your area.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks for the clarification.

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Sorry for the ambiguity. Wilkes University is located in Pennsylvania. I am not preparing to start a Physician Assistant program.

Micro professor is not a nurse but the Chairperson of the Science Department of a competing University. This University does not have a M.S.N program but does have an accelerated B.S.N program for 2nd degree students which is 2 years. Sour grapes?

Why get a B.S.N in 2 years when I can get a generic Masters in 1 year? Am I missing something?

I have a call in to my advisor at Wilkes to discuss pass rates, clinicals, job placement in I.C.U and other matters.

Thanks for all the help.

Lndcrsrlvr

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Sorry for the ambiguity. Wilkes University is located in Pennsylvania. I am not preparing to start a Physician Assistant program.

Micro professor is not a nurse but the Chairperson of the Science Department of a competing University. This University does not have a M.S.N program but does have an accelerated B.S.N program for 2nd degree students which is 2 years. Sour grapes?

Why get a B.S.N in 2 years when I can get a generic Masters in 1 year? Am I missing something?

I have a call in to my advisor at Wilkes to discuss pass rates, clinicals, job placement in I.C.U and other matters.

Thanks for all the help.

Lndcrsrlvr

This dang Internet sure can screw with words!

No, no, I meant the Micro professor might be the one chomping on the sour grapes! :lol2: Sounds like he/she thinks your 1 year Master's is not as good as her/his schools 2 year Accelerated BSN.

Don't worry, since you have to do at least one year in critical care/ ICU before you start a CRNA program, you will be more than prepared. As long as the CRNA admissions folks say your Master's entry program is good and your ICU training is appropriate, that is all that matter's, Right?

If you've researched your school and found that the education, clinical training, NCLEX pass rates and reputation are good, then get your Master's

I'm planning on attending a one year entry level Master's program myself, so GOOD LUCK TO US BOTH!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

If you live in Wyoming Valley, I wouldn't worry about not getting a job in an ICU. General Hospital is always DESPARATE for nurses on any floor or unit. New grads even get OB jobs there! I did hear bad things about NCLEX pass rates for Wilkes and Kings college BSN grads. But I haven't heard how the pass rate is for accelerated MSN grads. But you can always study extra on your own to compensate for that. I heard College Misericordia (Dallas area) also has an accelerated program, and from what I hear they have good NCLEX pass rates. (for the BSN, anyway. I have no idea for the MSN) I haven't been living in the Valley for a few years now, so I don't know how things may have changed.

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Sunnyjohn,

Good luck to you as well! Thanks for all the advice.

GooeyRn,

Live on outskirts of Scranton, PA. Is there a way of determining the pass rates through the board of nursing?

How can I determine which hospitals have apprentice (?) ICU training programs when we get out? Who do I contact?

Thanks all,

Lndcrsrlvr

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I would think its easiest to call each school for their particular pass rates. Don't settle for the answer, "its good". Ask for the percentage of passing for first time takers. Ask for the head of the nursing department to get that info. You live near scranton? CMC is always desperate for nurses. They give huge a sign on bonus as well. (they did 3 years ago when I graduated, anyway) I hear ratio's aren't the greatest there, but it is a trauma center and there would be a lot to learn. I went to school with a girl who works there (I haven't talked to her in a very long time so I don't know if she is still there or not) , she wanted ICU, but started in telemetry, I am not sure if thats all they had at the time, or if that was a requirement. Mercy Scranton takes new grads in the ICU, so you may want to try them, too. That was as of 3 years ago. I haven't heard much since then since I am no longer in Wyoming Valley.

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