ASN to MSN Degree

An ASN cannot gain direct entry into the MSN course. The reason for that is that an ASN Course is intended to train a diploma nurse in the basics of nursing and it focuses more on the technical aspect of the course. ASN nurses can carry out only the most basic of nursing duties like daily care for patients but under the supervision of a trained BSN nurse. This means that a ASN cannot work independently or perform complex medical tasks like starting IVs, injecting patients etc. But hospitals have now raised the bar for hiring of nurses and BSN is the minimum qualification that is accepted for nursing posts. Several colleges have an accelerated ASN to MSN program where you can take on an MSN course if you comply with the following criteria:

The main difference in a ASN course and a BSN course is that the ASN course completes faster. It also places much more emphasis on the technical aspects of the profession. As a result ASN nurses are not allowed to work independently but have to be supervised in their working. This means that they cannot be allowed direct entry into the MSN profession but they do have to take up bridging courses or complete a BSN course or finish an accelerated program to reach the MSN degree. The main problem with the accelerated program is that admission is very competitive. Several students apply and only a few get through into the course.

You can take up BSN, or RN qualifications to help you sit for the MSN admission test. A few colleges insist that you have at least a BSN degree before you can be awarded the MSN degree. But they are also willing to adjust with you if you have additional courses of nursing education of about 30 hours, academic credits amounting to 30 semester hours and science credit work of 50-6- credit hours. You can also take up additional credits by studying online or taking courses part time. The entire program can be completed in as less as three to four years.