I had plans to be a doctor. After attending one semester of medical school it was not the right fit for me. I graduated with a human biology degree with a health science emphasis. I am debating whether I should do an accelerated BSN or direct entry masters program.
Medical school was $53,000 a year, and I’d really like to be a nurse. My goal is to save up and work as a nurse a few years before I likely become an NP. However, I'd like to find the cheapest way to do this.
I have applied to the accelerated BSN which would be 12 months and about $42,000. If I did the BSN program I'd live at home and commute as it is close and not have too many expenses. I could also likely start in October 2020 and be done in October 2021. Then I'd work as a nurse and do to school part-time and do a tuition reimbursement program at my work.
I have inquired about a few state schools' direct entry MSN programs but I am honestly not sure the best way to proceed. I’ve worked as CNA for 3 years and started working in the hospital just recently. Interviews for the accelerated BSN are end of April so things are moving quickly. Any advice for me?
I decided to do an ABSN because many places won't hire direct entry students. Plus I can start ABSN in October. It's for one year and not as risky.
Says who? There are plenty of direct entry students getting jobs. Not only that, you can also pursue a residency/new grad program which will give you hands-on experience. A lot of the times, you need to be able to pick up and move to get a job and it's probably not going to be to a major city. I think this is what ties up a lot of people as they might not be able to leave their area due to having a family, looming debt, etc.. Gotta be flexible when it comes to any nursing degree.
Hey! I feel like I'm late to the party but here is this video that I found and hopefully this could help you ?
I was in your similar situation! I eventually decided to go to ABSN because
I was so fixated on the title of "Masters", that I thought it would be great since I already have BS. I actually talked to department nurse who interviews new nurse on there unit, and they to also explained that " An RN is an RN, yes you have a MEN degree but that does not make you any more qualify than an BSN" in addition to that "MEN are not cheap you are essentially going into nursing school for 2-3 years just to get your RN, were as you can get your RN is 12-18 months and start working! and she was right.My end goal is to become a FNP-DNP. I am attending an ABSN that is 18 months long and after the program I want to work for a year or two and apply to a BSN-DNP FNP program.
Hey! I feel like I'm late to the party but here is this video that I found and hopefully this could help you ?
I was in your similar situation! I eventually decided to go to ABSN because
I was so fixated on the title of "Masters", that I thought it would be great since I already have BS. I actually talked to department nurse who interviews new nurse on there unit, and they to also explained that " An RN is an RN, yes you have a MEN degree but that does not make you any more qualify than an BSN" in addition to that "MEN are not cheap you are essentially going into nursing school for 2-3 years just to get your RN, were as you can get your RN is 12-18 months and start working! and she was right.My end goal is to become a FNP-DNP. I am attending an ABSN that is 18 months long and after the program I want to work for a year or two and apply to a BSN-DNP FNP program.
Many great points here! I would highly recommend future applicants to apply to reputable schools due to clinical placements and preceptors that they provide. Many students have issues with clinicals with online-only schools, so do be cautious. Also employers do look at the schools, so this aspect should be emphasized. If you Google top masters of nursing programs, USNews should give you a good comprehensive list to apply to!
I don't know much about online-only schools. Clinical placements can be important because it a place to start building relationships to help get a job after graduating. This is true for any nursing program.
I'm not sure how much people really should go by rankings to pick schools. It's more about picking a school that you think will help you achieve your goal or where you want to end up. Do go to a school with a solid reputation with teaching nursing skills and knowledge. Unless you at the top school, after a year or two, it's really about your work experience. If you go on for more advance studies, then the school you got your degree from may be look at more closely.
I don't know much about online-only schools. Clinical placements can be important because it a place to start building relationships to help get a job after graduating. This is true for any nursing program.
I'm not sure how much people really should go by rankings to pick schools. It's more about picking a school that you think will help you achieve your goal or where you want to end up. Do go to a school with a solid reputation with teaching nursing skills and knowledge. Unless you at the top school, after a year or two, it's really about your work experience. If you go on for more advance studies, then the school you got your degree from may be look at more closely.
Definitely agree with you! Especially for DE NP schools, graduating from top programs would be very helpful. I definitely would push applicants to research the schools that provide preceptors and clinicals, and most of my browsing showed that the top programs all do. They are a bit more expensive though which can be a downside. I would love for more direct entry NP graduates to join discussion after graduating to discuss about landing first job as NPs!
1. You are pursing a career essentially practicing medicine without the rigor of medical school and residency. You need the foundation of bedside work in order to build the medicine piece of it in AP school. You are therefore "advancing" your practice.
2. Our profession is losing credibility because too many people are practicing with no prior experience and have no idea what they are doing, AND asking for independent practice. It's scary. It's unprofessional. And the AMA is noticing. Some NP's can swing this and do well, many cannot. So overall our reputation suffers.
3. It will absolutely be more difficult for you to find a job in a tight market where you will most likely be competing with folks who do have bedside experience.
I have a Youtube channel where I discuss these topics and more: Bree Juskowiak, NP
Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP
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Says who? There are plenty of direct entry students getting jobs. Not only that, you can also pursue a residency/new grad program which will give you hands-on experience. A lot of the times, you need to be able to pick up and move to get a job and it's probably not going to be to a major city. I think this is what ties up a lot of people as they might not be able to leave their area due to having a family, looming debt, etc.. Gotta be flexible when it comes to any nursing degree.