Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Some Stuff You Must Know In Deciding Upon Nurse Practitioner Programs

Determination is needed in getting a nursing degree and also lots of money. Having this in mind, you must first know all about different programs prior to committing to one. There are various nurse programs that are in the Internet and in schools and they are all different.

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in nursing may opt to pursue a nursing master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner. This would run for 24 months. Passing or not the nurse practitioner licensing examination would still get you to attain a degree.

There is what we call a Master of Science in Nursing or MSN and this is being taken by educators and nurse managers as an entry-level degree and by registered nurses as a higher-level graduate degree. To begin a doctorate nursing degree, one must first start on an MSN degree. It may concentrate in one or more advanced nursing specialties such as neonatal, geriatrics, acute care, pediatric, OB-GYNE nursing, etc.

An RN to MSN program can make an individual a nurse practitioner even if they do not have a bachelor’s diploma in nursing. Those working as a CNA or LPN can consider this choice including those who have still a long way in to go in the nursing field. A master’s degree is possible with the RN to MSN only if you will get it from the institution you had your undergraduate degree.

Simply put, you will take the two programs that run together and by doing so, the school can get rid of some overlapping work that nurses usually do when transitioning from a BSN to MSN program. With this program, a year from the degree duration will be shaved off. Taking the RN to MSN nurse practitioner programs would need about three years.

There would be no need of a bachelor’s degree to have an MSN degree if you have an associate’s degree or a registered nurse diploma already. When one completes the program they will be given a BS and an MSN degree by the nursing school while various programs would only promise an MSN degree. What is great here is that you may be able to have the degree in very little time.

An MSN program can lead you to be a nurse practitioner if ever you desire to reroute. This is only possible if you are a bachelor’s degree holder. Pupils taking liberal arts are usually in this program and it will take those two years if they decide to attain a master’s degree.

For the direct entry MSN program, it will take you three to four years to finish. Electives such as communications and math are no longer present here due to the fact that you have already taken them. Keep in mind that for you to have an RN certification you must take up nursing fundamentals.

If you would compare this to Accelerated BSN program, there is really nothing different about it. Having a rigid program of beliefs and clinical practice is what you will encounter here but don’t worry since the subjects that you have had will be taken into account. Your fundamental subjects are based on the degree you posses.

In organizing nurse practitioner programs, there are a lot of things that we must take note of. You can get an online nurse practitioner program these days, instead of having only the campus one as a choice. By scanning through all the programs, you may be able to find the one that fits you best.

When you are looking for relevant information about nurse practitioner schools and also about online nurse practitioner programs, do fail to hit the links and you shall be helped.