MSN-DNP

[irish_rainbow, BSN, MSN, DNP, NP]

Hello All,

I graduated with my MNSc this past May 2014 in Pediatric Acute Care. I enjoyed clinicals, however my bedside RN experience is in the NICU. You cannot function as a NNP without the certification. My passion is really neonates, and I feel compelled to get my NNP. There are a couple of programs I am looking into. Being from Arkansas, there are 2 programs in Alabama and 1 in Tennessee that already have a clinical contract with the 2 NICU facilities here. Therefore, those 3 schools would probably be my best option. I am on the fence between Post Grad and DNP for my NNP. The program at USA allows me to essentially do both... once you finish the core NNP courses you can sit for boards and continue finishing the DNP program. Also, I don't think I would be eligible for financial aid or government loans in just a Post Masters program because I would be considered "non-degree seeking."

I gave myself 1.5 years off between my BSN and MNSc program... mostly for the required work requirement and also to get my basic skills down as a bedside nurse. My undergrad GPA was 3.72, nursing was 3.5, and Masters was 4.0... so I feel like I do well with coursework and learning in general.

Getting my DNP has always been a part of my plan, I just never really considered doing it now. Another point to be said is there are not a lot of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner jobs available in my area. I realize that Neonatal is probably even more limited because it's so specialized, however if I am going to have to wait regardless... I'd much rather wait for something that I really, really wanted to do and knew interested me. I'd love some comments or feedback. Maybe someone reading this is in a similar situation? Am I crazy?