will master's entry programs close doors to entry level jobs

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Hello All,

I know this topic has been touched upon in the past, but I would like to know some current opinions and insight into future trends. Recently, I had a finger infection so I went to the nearest clinic. The FNP and I started to talk about the future of nursing (I live near Chicago). I told her that I would be starting a master's entry program in the fall that will reward me with a MSN upon completion and possibility to sit for a CNL certificate. She said that it will extremely difficult for me to find a job due to my programs focus on advanced nursing with little emphasis on skill development. I told her that my program is basically seven days a week with plenty of clinical time. She said that the perception will be that I have no general skills so hospitals will not touch me.

Does anyone agree? She also said it is unfortunate because we need highly educated nurses but this profession shoots itself in the foot all the time.

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I obviously can't give you any "real" advice, but I have my Bachelors in another degree (psychology) and I had thought about going for my CNL (a program near me offers that for students who have a BS in another track). I talked to the hiring manager at one of the area hospitals about her opinion on it and she said that she prefers RNs over CNLs..mainly because they have to pay CNLs more (because it's a masters) and they typically don't have as much hands on clinical experience as RNs. So while she didn't say it was a "waste" she said she would hire an RN over a CNL if everything else was equal.

It is kind of a bummer because the nursing industry does seem to love Master degrees, but from what I found, they love them a lot more AFTER you have spent time as an RN.

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All nursing programs require similar basic core courses and a minimum of clinical hours. Programs granting either a bachelor's or master's degree, while obviously containing an increased number of non-core classes, are still required to provide the basic core nursing education so it is unclear as to where she concluded your program placed "little emphasis on skill development."

The value of the CNL, however, remains to be seen.

Good luck in your studies.

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We have been graduating CNLs from a Master's Entry program since 2007. None of these have faced problems in finding an entry-level position. Some employers/recruiters have needed a bit of education to assure them that an Entry Level position is indeed what the applicant is seeking.

We've had CNL grads hired as new grads at many of the top healthcare facilities in the country (Mayo, Hopkins, CHOP, MGH, Barnes Jewish, Denver Health, UCLA, Duke, etc) as well as facilities across Virginia & DC.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

But this is Illinois. I have found the acceptance of different programs are strongly based on local opinions and market.

I would do your research. Check with alumni from your program I would ask the program directly these questions.

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Thanks everyone for your responses. My program doesn't replace the RN with the CNL. I will be a master's prepared RN with a CNL certificate. My program directors advised me that my degree would not place me in a position to bypass an entry level RN position, but they felt it would afford faster advancement with experience. I was just surprised to hear that hospitals would be inclined to pass me over for being master's prepared without the experience. The degree demonstrates that I have obtained a bachelors and capable of completing a vigorously paced nursing program. I would assume it demonstrates that I have the potential to be an asset, but what do I know? I understand that an employer would appreciate a BSN prepared RN advancing to a MSN while obtaining experience, but my program just means that I will have to work backwards. Hopefully it works out, if not, maybe I will just have to leave Illinois and the awesome winters behind!!

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Well that sounds like a great plan for you then! Good luck with it, I'm sure it will work out perfectly! :)

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Thank you rsal27! I guess all we can do is try our best in anything we do and let the chips fall where they may!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am sure that your employment prospects will be largely determined by an employer's previous experience. Unfortunately, hiring managers in my organization are avoiding entry level MSNs for just that reason. They also have a dim view of ABSNs and prefer generic BSN grads. Granted, we have limited experience with entry-level MSNs but nave not noticed that their contributions are any greater than that of other new grads.

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Most of the nurses I know are skeptical for direct entry MSN programs because they all believed that a nurse should work as an RN first and gain experience before getting a graduate degree, but that doesn't sound like your program so I think you are in good shape.

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Ultimately, an individual must take whatever route necessary to fulfill their dream. It just seems unfortunate that employers would generalize an applicant by the perception of a degree. For me, I intend to pursue a DNP so this route made sense time wise. I had almost nine years in as a juvenile detention officer when I decided to make a career change. Hopefully the perception of highly educated entry level RNs will change with time. Thanks for the responses!

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Specializes in None yet..
I am sure that your employment prospects will be largely determined by an employer's previous experience. Unfortunately, hiring managers in my organization are avoiding entry level MSNs for just that reason. They also have a dim view of ABSNs and prefer generic BSN grads. Granted, we have limited experience with entry-level MSNs but nave not noticed that their contributions are any greater than that of other new grads.

Oh no! I've just been looking into an ABSN program as better than a ADN degree. I already have a BS in psychology and didn't see the point of spending the time and money on a BSN where there was considerable overlap.

Why do you think hiring managers have a dim view of ABSNs?

:(

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