Would love to bypass that BSN!

[anashenwrath, ASN, RN]

Hello!

I just graduated with an ADN and have not yet started working in a clinical capacity (I just passed NCLEX on Monday, and I have a non-nursing job in the interim).

I also have a BS in biology and chemistry. For this reason, I'd really like to go into an RN to MSN program and bypass the BSN. I know a lot of schools throw the BSN in their bridge programs, but the Nurse Managers that I've spoken to have said that if I have the BS and ADN, and I get a MSN, that's good enough for them.

Does anyone know of any programs they can recommend? I'd prefer online; if clinicals are mandatory, it would have to be in NYC or nearby. Accreditation is most important, but of course I'd prefer a cost-effective and accelerated program as well!

Any advice or personal experience is highly appreciated!

[PMFB-RN, RN]

It doesn't matter that you have a BS in another field or not. You can go from ADN to MSN with, or without another bachelors degree. Look into American Sentinel University or University of Arizona. Both have online RN to MSN programs, no bachelors degree involved.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As you investigate your options (and there are a lot of ADN - MSN programs out there), be sure you look very closely at their course requirements and talk with school representatives that know the actual assignments required within their courses. A lot of MSN programs have clinical requirements and/or assignments that are best completed if you can base them on your job experience. Not having your "foot in the door" of a clinical agency might make it difficult for you to complete those types of assignments and/or find clinical sites.

I've known students who have invested in online programs far distant from where they live who have faced serious set-backs as they struggled to find clinical sites or complete assignments that require involvement with a clinical facility. Those students were trying to go to school full time while not working as a nurse -- and therefore had not link with a clinical facility to use as a base for their clinically-related schoolwork. (I've seen the same problem with some online BSN students, too.)

Good luck to you.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

As you investigate your options (and there are a lot of ADN - MSN programs out there), be sure you look very closely at their course requirements and talk with school representatives that know the actual assignments required within their courses. A lot of MSN programs have clinical requirements and/or assignments that are best completed if you can base them on your job experience. Not having your "foot in the door" of a clinical agency might make it difficult for you to complete those types of assignments and/or find clinical sites.

I've known students who have invested in online programs far distant from where they live who have faced serious set-backs as they struggled to find clinical sites or complete assignments that require involvement with a clinical facility. Those students were trying to go to school full time while not working as a nurse -- and therefore had not link with a clinical facility to use as a base for their clinically-related schoolwork. (I've seen the same problem with some online BSN students, too.)

Good luck to you.

*** Personally, as a working RN I would eliminate any program that required clinical. No reason to do clinical since there are programs that do not require them.

[llg, PhD, RN]

*** Personally, as a working RN I would eliminate any program that required clinical. No reason to do clinical since there are programs that do not require them.

There are BSN programs with no clinicals -- but very few MSN programs without some sort of "practice project" or clinical that needs to be done. Any MSN in an advanced practice track requires substantial clinicals -- and Nursing Education usually requires student teaching -- and Leadership/Administration tracks usually have some sort of change project, etc. -- as do CNL tracks. The OP is not talking a BSN program, she is talking about an MSN program, and most of them have some sort of project to do in a clinical setting as part of their requirements.

I deal with those requirements ll the time as my job involves help my hospital's employees who are students to set those things up. Many students get half-way through their programs before they realize their program requires more than online work -- and they have to find a clinical site to complete certain requirements. Anyone considering an online education in nursing (particularly at the graduate level) needs to investigate that aspect of the programs they are considering before they commit.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

There are BSN programs with no clinicals --

*** Obviously.

but very few MSN programs without some sort of "practice project" or clinical that needs to be done.

*** There are enough that I wouldn't bother with one that required clinical.

Any MSN in an advanced practice track requires substantial clinicals --

n

*** Obviously.

The OP is not talking a BSN program, she is talking about an MSN program,

*** Yes, as a person who read the OP I am quite aware of that.

Anyone considering an online education in nursing (particularly at the graduate level) needs to investigate that aspect of the programs they are considering before they commit.

*** Great advice.

[anashenwrath, ASN, RN]

Hi both,

Thank you so much for your responses! There is obviously a lot of great feedback and experience being shared, and I appreciate it.

I will definitely make sure I look closely at the course requirements. MSNs do seem to have a lot of capstone projects, so I'd want to ensure that if I need to make live commitments, I can actually do it. And if there are no live commitments, then I'll be sure to double check the credentials of the program.

It's seeming more and more like I'm going to need to get some experience before I start. It's so frustrating to have worked so hard for an ADN and BS but see so many doors closed because I don't have the BSN. I was hoping a MSN would ameliorate that, but if I need the experience to get my foot in that door, then... sheesh!