Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) A master's degree is an 18-24 month program that allows a nurse to specialize in a particular area - such as an area of advanced clinical training or research. Some students take on joint degrees in related fields like business administration, public health or hospital administration. Most people working towards an MSN already have a BSN, but there are accelerated programs for ADN nurses to earn a BSN and MSN in one shot, or for non-nursing college graduates. Typical requirements include a BSN from an accredited nursing school, an RN license, minimum GPA and GRE scores, and some period of clinical work experience. Each school has its specific requirements, so make sure to check with them before applying.
Direct Entry MSN Direct entry MSN programs, also sometimes called "graduate entry" or "master's entry" programs, are designed for non-nurses who hold bachelors' degrees in non-nursing fields. These programs give students credit for having completed their liberal arts requirements and allow them to complete an abbreviated schedule of undergraduate nursing course work before moving directly into graduate nursing coursework -- combining preparation for RN-licensure with advanced training in a master's specialty area. Direct entry MSN programs typically require three years to complete, with the first year being devoted to entry-level nursing course work and the last two years to master's-level study. A variation of the Direct Entry MSN is the Accelerated MSN. Although the terms "Direct Entry MSN" and "Accelerated MSN" are sometimes used interchangeably, some Accelerated MSN programs may be completed in two academic years, rather than three. A 3.0 GPA is often an entrance requirement for both Direct Entry and Accelerated MSN programs.
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