How a Direct-Entry MSN Program Can Reset Your Career
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It is not uncommon for people to begin careers in other fields and then, over time, transition to a career in nursing[1].
But this can be tricky. The expertise you gain from a non-nursing degree can be very valuable, but often doesn’t apply to the complex world of nursing and healthcare.
If this sounds familiar, you may be tempted to go back to school to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), both of which can lead you to licensure as a registered nurse (RN). But depending on your goals, there may be an even better option.
Direct-entry master of science in nursing (MSN) programs[2] build on your existing education, even if it was not in a nursing field, on the way to an MSN degree. Designed with working professionals in mind, direct-entry MSN programs can open the door to new professional opportunities — and higher salaries. This includes a potential career as a nurse practitioner (NP), the nation’s fastest-growing profession[3].
NurseJournal recently discussed direct-entry MSN programs and their potential benefits with Stephanie Black, DNP, MSN, RN, Dean of Prelicensure Nursing at Wisconsin-based Herzing University[4]. The exchange has been edited for length and clarity.
Learn More About Herzing University’s Online Direct-Entry MSN Program
What does earning an MSN enable you to do in your career?
Black: These students can have a very successful career in many levels of nursing, or they can step into a doctorate in nursing practice, Ph.D., or other paths. It gives them that level-up in their education and prepares them for the next step.
Ours is an MSN direct-entry program, meaning that students come in with at least a bachelor’s degree in another field like education or biology. Therefore, when they enter the program, they do not have a nursing degree of any sort… and have not sat for licensure within the nursing profession.
When they graduate from this program, students elevate their current degree of at least a bachelor’s level into a master’s degree… but they also have completed all their pre-licensure work for a nursing degree.
What typically sparks someone’s interest in wanting to pursue a direct-entry MSN degree?
Black: First, there are professionals in the camp of “I need a change.” That could be in their career or in life, but they’re looking for a different path.
On the other side, people are looking to add to what they are already doing. We had a student who came to us with a Ph.D. in research… and she worked in research in a hospital setting. She told me that she kept running into roadblocks for promotions or different roles because she didn’t understand the bedside and patient care aspects of nursing. Once she gets this learning and experience from the MSN it will help her in her current profession.
What kinds of jobs are typically available to nurses with an MSN degree?
Black: Even though they’re graduating with an MSN, if they don’t have any experience in nursing we encourage them to work in a facility… doing hands-on patient care for at least a year to get that exposure.
That, coupled with the MSN, opens up leadership positions across the board in healthcare… or even back in education. If you decide to become a nurse practitioner, having an MSN makes the transition faster and more streamlined, as you’ve already completed much of the foundational work required to expand your scope of practice.
What would you say to a student interested in this program, but concerned about the cost of graduate school?
Black: You have to look at ROI and look at the time investment. What are your goals? What are your opportunities upon graduation?
If someone truly wants to change, that may very well mean another 4-6 years if they were taking it in steps instead of transitioning through a program like Herzing’s. That’s an easy ROI answer in terms of time and the kind of role and salary you’ll be working with, depending on your market.
Who do you see as the ideal candidate for a direct-entry MSN program?
Black: I think that’s a tough question to answer because a lot of other degrees and employment opportunities prepare students in different ways.
The easy answer is people interested in healthcare. This direct-entry MSN degree program helps them learn more about medical terminology, patient interactions, and other skills that are either soft skills or those they might not have been exposed to.
We also have students who come from an education background. They are usually very good at time management and stay on top of their studies. They may not have that healthcare knowledge, but their background still sets them up for success in a rigorous program.
Herzing University
Online MSN Direct Entry Program Course Topics
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- Fundamental Concepts and Health Assessment
- Clinical I – IV
- Medical-Surgical Nursing I and II
- Mental Health Nursing
- Family Nursing
- Synthesis I and II
- Safety and Quality
- Integration of Concepts
- Scholarly Practice
- Systems-Based Practice
- Population Health
- Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice
What sets Herzing’s direct-entry MSN program apart from other MSN programs?
Black: There are not a lot [of schools] right now that are running a program similar to this. Traditional programs are mostly small locations and are ground-based, so flexibility is a differentiator for Herzing.
Our direct-entry MSN program can be completed in just 20-24 months. We include online, asynchronous [learn at your own pace] sessions, as well as synchronous [scheduled class time] learning as well. Therefore, it is possible for students to retain a work-life balance while in school.
A lot of times when someone is changing careers, it’s not like they have the luxury to say they’re not going to work for a year and a half, or two years. Sometimes students do, but most of our students do not. It’s challenging to say it’s an easy program to do while working full time — I hesitate to tell anyone that because our program is very rigorous — but if they have good study skills and are self-motivated they can be highly successful and still continue what they’re doing.
Another piece is our intensive in-person experience in Nashville, which students must do three times throughout the program.
In what ways does Herzing’s direct-entry MSN program cater to adult learners?
Black: We try really hard to focus on and understand the adult learner. With things like asynchronous timing and support offered on evenings and weekends, we try to ensure that things are open and flexible.
With testing times, we have testing opportunities that expand into evenings and weekends intentionally so that our students can test around work and family obligations.
What does Herzing offer students after graduation?
Black: Our graduate nursing leaders come and speak to our seniors right before they graduate to talk to them about career opportunities and mentoring opportunities with students in our doctoral or practitioner programs. She also discusses pathways for continuing their education with us.
We have a robust network of clinical partners for career placement. Our students get important exposure in clinics across the country. If our students are advocating for themselves, we are also advocating with them.
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