Enrolling in a Direct Entry MSN Degree

Every year the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks a myriad of statistical data about various careers and jobs in the country. Over the past decade health care has been the fastest growing career field, and that growth is expected to continue through at least 2018. Those on the outside looking in do have opportunities to break into the health care field, with degrees such as a direct entry master of science in nursing.

If you have previously earned an undergraduate degree in a different subject, a direct entry MSN is the perfect way for you to quickly earn a good education that will prepare you for advanced positions within nursing. Most master of science in nursing degree programs prepare students to receive their registered nurse license upon graduation.

Those interested in enrolling in a direct entry MSN program should first ensure that they meet many of the standard prerequisites first. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Transcripts of college work
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or more
• GRE exam scores

These prerequisites are generally required for entry into an MSN program, but they are not applicable to every program. Some direct entry MSN programs may require more of their students, while others may require less.

Before deciding on any specific program and school, prospective students should ensure that the programs they are looking at are accredited nationally. There are two groups that are nationally recognized for providing nursing school accreditation. These groups are:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)

The goal of most direct entry MSN programs is to provide students with an education that includes coursework that would otherwise be completed in separate bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing programs. Typical programs would follow the timeline below:

• The first year would consist of general nursing courses, in the process completing many of the coursework covered in a BSN degree program.
• The second and third year would combine preparation for completing an RN licensure exam and advanced work in a specialty area.

Most programs last between two and three years with the exact length being determined by the nursing specialty an individual pursues during their Master's.

Upon graduation from an accredited direct entry MSN program, students will find a wide variety of careers in nursing awaiting them. The following are some of, but not all, the most popular career options that direct entry MSN program graduates pursue:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

With the U.S. BLS expecting the nursing field to add to its nearly 2.6 million employed individuals in the coming years, there is no better time than now to consider enrolling in a direct entry MSN program.