Alternate Entry Master Of Science In Nursing
Application Deadline: October 1Program Start: Summer once a year onlyLength of Program: 2.5 to 3 years full-timeDegree Awarded: Master of Science in NursingPart-Time Study Available? After the foundation yearDistance Learning Available? Not at this time
If you have a bachelor’s degree outside of Nursing, an Associates Degree in Nursing and you are a licensed registered nurse please visit the Masters of Science in Nursing Program.
Do I Have To Take The Gre
You do not have to submit GRE scores to enroll in direct entry MSN programs for non-nursing majors. You simply need an existing Bachelors degree and sufficient GPA to demonstrate readiness. Direct entry MSN programs make it as simple and speedy as possible to pursue a meaningful role in patient care.
Coursework And Clinical Hours Are Time
Even if you decide to take your time or go the online MSN route, you should still be prepared to dedicate a significant number of hours per week to your studies and/or clinical requirements. Doing so will likely require some shuffling around of responsibilities, and a strong support network at home and work.
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Gain Experience In The Field
This step likely comes as no surprise, but its an important one. Prior to enrolling in a certificate program, you need at least one years worth of professional nursing experience. The reasoning is simple: Before pursuing an advanced nursing position, you need to understand what its like to work as a nurse in the field. Besides, while you may leave our program with an MSN degree, youre going to learn a lot in that first year of working both about nursing and about working with other medical professionals.
What Types Of Master’s Degrees In Nursing Are There
Master’s degrees in nursing are available in many different clinical specialty areas and formats, such as dual master’s degrees or bridge programs. Some, like clinical nurse leadership or APRN programs, prepare candidates to work in traditional healthcare settings. Others, such as nursing research programs, focus on advancing evidence-based nursing practices.
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What Is A Direct Entry Msn Program
A direct entry masters in nursing program is for students with a non nursing degree who would like to pursue a career as a registered nurse or advanced practice nurse . A direct entry MSN program may be available for non-nursing majors online. These people may wish to work as a registered nurse . Some may want to work as an advanced practice nurse . APRNs are those who earned their masters degree. There may be a lot of options in this program. See which ones may work for you.
The Best Online Direct
Earning an MSN through an online direct-entry program is a great way to launch your nursing career if you have a bachelors degree in different area, but finding the right school isnt always easy. To help get you started, weve researched direct-entry MSN programs for non-nursing majors offered online by schools throughout the U.S. and evaluated them based on a variety of factors, including accreditation, affordability, and curriculum comprehensiveness. The result is our list for the top online direct-entry MSN programs for 2021. Heres a closer look at three of the very best:
Marquette Universitys full-time, five-semester direct-entry MSN program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and jumpstart their advanced professional nursing careers. The programs curriculum is offered in a blended study format that combines fully-online nursing theory courses with in-person nursing skills and simulation lab work on Marquettes Nursing School campus located in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Students additionally complete a minimum of 700 clinical practicum hours at healthcare facilities located throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Because of the in-person requirements, all students must currently reside in or relocate to the Pleasant Prairie/Kenosha, Wisconsin area for the programs duration.
University of South Alabama
Ohio State University
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San Francisco State University
Concentrations Offered:About the School:Program Details:Admission Requirements:Concentrations Offered:Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse PractitionerAdult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerFamily Nurse PractitionerPediatrics Nurse PractitionerWomen’s Health Nurse PractitionerPsychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan Nurse PractitionerAbout the School:how to become a nurse practitioner with a non-nursing bachelors degreeProgram Details:Admission Requirements:Concentrations Offered:Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerFamily Nurse PractitionerPediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary CarePsychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerAbout the School:Program Details:Admission Requirements:
An Msn Can Open Up New Career Doors
Besides the fact that some nursing specializations require a masters degree, certain positions at prestigious hospitals and healthcare organizations may give preference to candidates who have their MSN as well.
If you have any intentions of focusing on one type of nursing, like nursing informatics or nurse practitioner or taking on a managerial role in a hospital, completing an MSN is probably in your best interest.
Following are some advanced practice roles that require an MSN
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwife
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Why Should You Get An Msn
MSN programs prepare a Registered Nurse to better serve their patients from a holistic perspective. Graduate-level nursing courses will cover topics such as ethics, public health, leadership, healthcare practice, and clinical skills.
One of the major benefits of an MSN degree is that not only does it offer more advancement opportunities and earning potential, but it also allows you to specialize in a role and/or patient population that interests you the most.
For instance, you can choose to specialize in a clinical specialty track as a Nurse Practitioner or choose a more administrative role, such as a Nurse Educator or Nurse Researcher.
Msn Degree Program Considerations If You Are Not A Registered Nurse And Hold A Bachelors Degree In A Related Health/science Field
If you are currently not a registered nurse, but would like to pursue a career as an APRN , there are online programs available for you, also. These are called BSN to MSN programs. Typically, these programs first focus on the BSN portion and are normally 18 months. After completing this part of the program, the student will take the NCLEX exam . Following taking and passing this exam, the remainder of the program focuses on the MSN degree, which also takes about another 18 months. The total time depends on how long it takes the student to pass the NCLEX exam between the two portions of the program.
Who would choose to do this? This is normally someone who has a bachelors degree with experience in the work force, but decides after a number of years that they are drawn to a career in nursing. Some people also find that the field in which they got their degree is very limited with a lack of employment opportunities. They would like to become a nurse , but arent interested in starting all over with a traditional college education to earn a BSN, and then an MSN. People such as these can complete an online BSN to MSN program and have better employment opportunities and earning capacity.
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How Much More Will I Earn With An Msn
The exact figure will vary considerably based on your specialty, employment setting, and full- or part-time employment.
Its not uncommon for a nurse with an MSN to earn more than $100,000 per year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some advanced practice registered nurses like nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earn an average of $117,670 annually.
What Could I Pursue With A Direct Entry Msn Online Degree
Students may typically enter a wide range of career paths. Many choose fields that interest them. This may include careers such as these.
You may aim to become a registered nurse. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the annual median wage for a registered nurse was $73,300 as of May of 2019.
You may work as a nurse practitioner. The 2019 annual median pay for this field is $115,800 per year as noted by the BLS.
Some students may work as a nurse midwife. This is a growing field. The BLS reports it is growing at 45% through 2029. That is much faster than average. The 2019 annual median pay for this field was $115,800 per year. Another career path may typically include a medical and health services manager. Those in this field had a median annual pay of $100,980 in 2019. Thats noted by the BLS.
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Masters Of Science Applied
Masters of Science Applied Advanced Nursing, formerly known as the Nurse Entry Masters.
Our Master’s of Science – Advanced Nursing is the program for you if you are a licensed Nurse holding a Bachelor of Nursing or a Bachelor of Science degree comparable to the respective McGill undergraduate degree
How Long Does It Take To Get An Msn
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There Are Many Program Options
From part-time programs to accelerated ones, and even online MSN degrees, there are more choices than ever for earning an advanced nursing degree. Students can choose full or part-time in some cases, and customize their course schedules thanks to schools catering more to adult students, and technology that allows for remote and distance learning. This is especially helpful for people who would like to continue working while they go to school.
You Have The Potential To Earn A Higher Salary With An Advanced Degree
As mentioned above, some advanced nursing practices do require an MSN, but they also have significantly higher salaries than what an RN typically earns. For example, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earned a median salary of $183,580 as of September 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than double that of an average RNs salary.
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Career Options: What You Can Do With Your Msn Degree
Once youve received your license, youre ready to move right into a challenging and rewarding job as a registered nurse. And having earned an MSN degree, youll likely find higher-paying positions with better career growth potential than RNs without an MSN degree. While the great majority of direct-entry MSN grads will enter careers as RNs, others will find additional job opportunities available as well. Below are three examples of careers you might pursue as an MSN program graduate. All job outlook and salary figures are taken from the U.S. Department of Labors O*NET and Occupational Outlook Handbook websites.
Registered Nurse
The backbone of practically every healthcare services provider is their registered nurses. RNs coordinate and carry out patient care under the direction of physicians as part of a larger team. Specific duties include: assessment of a patients condition recording patient symptoms and medical histories observing and monitoring the patients condition during treatment administering medications and treatments teaching patients how to manage their injuries and illnesses, and much more. RNs are also often called upon to oversee other patient care team members, like nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and home health aides.
Job Outlook
Which Nursing Master’s Degree Is Best
The right nursing master’s degree depends on career and salary goals. APRNs generally earn the most, but fields such as nurse informatics or nursing administration offer opportunities to impact nursing practice and healthcare systems. Public health and community health nurses help build healthier communities and assist society’s most vulnerable members.
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Youll Make Even More Of A Difference
Few career paths give you the chance to have such a positive impact on the lives of others. No matter what nursing specialty you choose to pursue or how far you choose to advance your career caring for the injured, sick, and dying is part of your job description. Any shift you work could see you improving or potentially saving the lives of your patients.
As a nurse practitioner, youll have even more of a chance to make a difference in your patients lives. With their advanced clinical training and expertise, nurse practitioners have the authority to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, provide evidence-based health education, and in some states, prescribe medications.
Why Is Accreditation Important For A Direct
Accreditation is the process of evaluating colleges and universities to make sure that they offer students a quality education. Independent agencies assess higher education programs and grant â or deny â accreditation status.
Schools or programs that do not possess accreditation should register as a red flag. Graduate schools accept students with accredited undergraduate degrees, and unaccredited credits usually do not transfer to other schools.
Plus, aspiring nurses and NPs need accredited degrees to qualify for licensure. That means accredited degrees can lead to greater job prospects as well.
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Why Should I Become A Nurse Practitioner
Before we get into the steps involved in becoming a nurse practitioner, we should mention that knowing the answer to the question, why do you want to be a nurse, is an important one to consider for your advanced practice nursing journey. There are no academic shortcuts on this challenging path just accelerated education options. Your why for advancing in the profession can serve as a steadfast motivator all along the way.
That said, there are so many great reasons to become a nurse practitioner, ranging from greater career autonomy to the ability to care for and connect with patients on a deeper level. Here, we take a look at three of them.
If I Dont Have A Bsn Should I Get An Msn Instead
It would take three years of full-time study to go from ADN to MSN, and about two years to get your BSN. For some, it may be worth spending the extra year of full-time study to graduate with a more valuable degree. Some MSNs make double the salary of BSNs.
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Can I Take Classes Online
Students entering the direct entry MSN Program at Joyce will experience a blended approach to learning, with both online and in-person classes that allow students to integrate the program more easily into their lifestyles. While you may be wondering if you can complete an online MSN program without clinicals as a requirement, its important to note that since many direct entry students are entering the program with little to no nursing experience, clinicals are an essential part of our program design. Joyce College of Healthcare features a robust campus located in Draper, Utah, where students can experience state-of-the-industry simulation labs that offer hands-on training, in addition to real-world clinical experiences throughout the program.
Discover Your Road To A Career In Nursing
Youve envisioned a different future for yourself and so have we. Youre ready for a career where you can make a positive difference in peoples lives, where you are respected for your professional skill and compassion, and where you can continually learn and grow to advance your career. Youre ready to be a nurse.
Our Accelerated Bachelors Program for Non-Nurses preps students who already have a bachelors degree for a career in nursing in 12 months. But earning your bachelors and RN licensure in the Accelerated Bachelor’s program is just the beginning. We expect our graduates to enter the nursing workforce ready to learn and gain experience: caring for patients, working in a health care team, and deepening their understanding of what it means to be a nurse.
We also expect our graduates to go on and complete a masters or doctoral degree and become leaders in the field. For the vast majority, this means gaining experience as an RN before pursuing a graduate degree. But for those who know what specialty theyd like to pursue as a nurse practitioner, and have had significant health care experience in that area, they may be eligible to apply for the Accelerated Masters Program for Non-Nurses.
Through the Accelerated Masters, in just three years of full-time effort you can earn a bachelors degree in nursing and specialize in the field of nursing, including:
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A Few More Things To Examine When Choosing The Best Online Masters In Nursing Program For You
Many online education experts mention the following things to keep in mind when choosing an online program.
Make sure the program is accredited. One of the first things healthcare employers look for is if you graduated from an accredited program. The following national accreditation organizations are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Research state licensing requirements in the state you plan to practice. Its important to know if the state you plan to reside and practice in will accept the program/degree you work so hard to earn. Its also important to know ahead of time what the state licensing requirements are for you. The National Council of State Board of Nursing has extensive, useful information and a state search tool. This organization also has information on their site about the APRN Consensus Model .
Determine how much it will cost. Research your options. Each school and program varies. Do the math now. You will thank yourself later.
Look into financial aid. Speak to a school representative about financial aid options. Some schools offer government-funded financial aid. Some nursing organizations also offer grants, scholarships and other programs. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is an example of such organizations.