women studies MA planning to become a women's health NP- advice please!

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hi all! I'd greatly appreciate advice from women's health/midwife NP's and RN's, or anyone with good advice to give. here's my situation:

I finished my MA in women studies in 2008 in san francisco and had planned to go into academia. Over the last 2 years I've instead been dreaming of a career providing direct services to women as a women's health NP/midwife and I'm going to follow my dream! I'm taking my pre-requisites right now and am getting A's in both anatomy & microbio and think i could probably get in to an accel. BSN program. But, I come from a working-class family and borrowed my way through college the 1st time around and want to rack up as few loans as possible this time (which is why i'm kind of steering away from the ABSN). I am thinking of getting my ADN at a community college, working as an RN for a couple of years and then getting my MSN to become a Midwife/NP. I'm wondering:

1. Can you start a master's program with only an ADN if you have a BA/MA in another field?

2. Is it feasible to get a job as a women's health RN without a BSN?

3. I'd love advice from NP's or women's health RN's on whether it would be worth it to 'spring' for the ABSN or just do the ADN route, since I'm planning on continuing anyway.

thanks much

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

i'd probably look into an accelerated bsn program because that way you will be able to get floor nursing experience while you continue on in a np program. there are quickie masters programs like cnl but my experience with these new grads is that they have very little clinical experience, struggle to pick up floor nursing and are no where near ready to be a leader. there are people that continue on to a np program without ever working as a rn but from what i hear they have a tough time getting hired as a np and frankly there is no way i'd want a brand new nurse that hasn't ever practiced prescribing for me or my family. it may take a few years but i think you will benefit from getting some first hand experience. good luck with whatever you decide!

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thanks for the input! I'm not even looking at master's entry programs for just that reason- i'd like to get some solid RN experience before I go right into an NP program.

But based on your experience, would an accelerated BSN be far superior to an ADN program, if both of them terminate with an RN designation? I want to work as an RN for a few years anyway before continuing on to a masters program, and i want it to be cheap in price but still be able to get me a nursing job when I'm done.

Are hospitals, clinics, and the like still hiring nurses that have only an ADN as opposed to a BSN?

thanks much

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Since you have a bachelors already my guess is that you would be able to get your BSN just as quickly as your ADN so in your case unless you can't find a reasonably priced University that would likely be the best bet. I'd weigh the time and money and go for the quickest and cheapest. In my area there isn't much advantage to having a BSN over ADN when it comes to being a new grad. Down the road if you want to get into management or continue with school of course the BSN will be handy. Good luck!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

I've hired for 2 RN positions in past year....getting resume's from new RNs graduated as long as 18 months ago unable to land position. Recent conversations from applicants is that employers in Philly want BSN degree.

If you live in a metropolitan area, strongly suggest accel BSN program as best for meeting your long term goal.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I've hired for 2 RN positions in past year....getting resume's from new RNs graduated as long as 18 months ago unable to land position. Recent conversations from applicants is that employers in Philly want BSN degree.

If you live in a metropolitan area, strongly suggest accel BSN program as best for meeting your long term goal.

Ooops I didn't realize that she was in Philadelphia. I should have said that here in the Balto./DC area there isn't much advantage to having a BSN for entry level nurses. FWIW in this past year I got 3 job offers in my field with just my ADN and 2 years of RN experience.

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