nursing school prerequisites

[sanantone]

I was thinking about getting a second degree BSN just so that it would be easier for me to get into an online MSN and then DNP program. I've only found one online, direct-entry MSN and it's expensive. I think it would be easier to become a nurse practitioner while still working full-time than attending a physician's assistant program. I also think becoming a PA or NP could have more return on investment than becoming a family doctor.

[cookderosa]

I was thinking about getting a second degree BSN just so that it would be easier for me to get into an online MSN and then DNP program. I've only found one online, direct-entry MSN and it's expensive. I think it would be easier to become a nurse practitioner while still working full-time than attending a physician's assistant program. I also think becoming a PA or NP could have more return on investment than becoming a family doctor.

Yes, when you start looking at some of the alternative routes, you start talking about spending big money. If I were to start from scratch as an adult (not as a teen) I would earn my degree at TESC with a complete premed science sequence scheduled inside that degree as classes (not tests) and test out of my gen eds. I'd likely do this as a Liberal Studies major since the premed sequence is not enough to do a natural sciences degree. Then, with that in hand, I'd attend a second-degree BSN accelerated program on the ground. These are everywhere and will cost you some money- about 20-40k but are also 12-15 months long, and when weighted against the cost/time savings at TESC, I still think this path would take fewer than 3 years and less cost than a typical university degree. At that point, I'd head into the job market with my RN and work med-surge while I racked up 1+ year experience at a hospital that pays for graduate school. There are tons of these, and grad school can be done online in 2 years. So- this path for an adult might cost around 50k and the credentials would include a BA, BSN, RN, MSN and take about 5 years.
My mom, a nurse for 40 years, would say that was crazy. She'd tell you get an RN as cheaply and quickly as possible (diploma even) and get to work.

[clep3705]

Accelerated BSN programs sound good if you are on the outside looking in. They have very high attrition rates, often exceeding 50%. As the dean at Vanderbilt says, it is better to finish well than early.

Med-surg positions aren't so easy for a new grad to get.

There are plenty of online MSN programs including programs from top tier schools such as Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins. Top tier nursing schools really are better.

[LaterBloomer]

If deciding between a nurse practitioner and a physician's assistant, look into the reciprocity of the degrees. My niece - a nurse - was saying something about nurse practitioners being more widely accepted than PAs. I don't recall if she meant nationally, or internationally.

[cookderosa]

If deciding between a nurse practitioner and a physician's assistant, look into the reciprocity of the degrees. My niece - a nurse - was saying something about nurse practitioners being more widely accepted than PAs. I don't recall if she meant nationally, or internationally.

It boils down to what kind of job you want- they are NOT the same. A PA will always, forever, work under a supervising MD. Period. You are an employee of sorts, which is also insulation depending on how you view medical risk and malpractice. PAs can not work in their own office independently. A NP can be an employee (like at a hospital or office) but can also run a private practice as the "boss." A NP's oversight is not exactly the same. For instance, a midwife will have an OB supervising physician, however they don't necessarily even have to work in the same building and the MD doesn't have to be present at births- in fact, would likely only be called in for a consult if surgery was being discussed. It's also worth considering that a PA completes almost identical medical school type training- but for 1/3 of the pay. BUT they never have to worry about getting a pay check. NPs don't have the respect of physicians, they consider them encroaching on their "turf" ($) and fight AGAINST insurance reform and reimbursement. Nurses don't do anything like medical school but have demonstrated equal or better outcome, so evidence based medicine supports them and it really pi$$es off the docs.

So- that's a very generalized overview, but spend 15 minutes on Student Doctor Network forum and then spend 15 minutes on All Nurses forum. There is no love between the two.