DNP & FNP concurrent-too much?

Specialties Doctoral

Published

Hi all, I have had my MSN and want to go back and get my FNP certification. However, the program nearest me is a program that offers the FNP as a post graduate program that runs concurrent to enrollment in the DNP. So I essentially would take one class per semester in each program. 6.5 semesters (would start mid-semester in summer because the school runs year around and the spring class I've already had, but the summer one is where I need to start) would complete the FNP portion then 4 more semesters (1 class each semester) would finish the DNP.

Not sure if this is really too much. I also have the option of doing a post grad certificate online for the FNP certificate. I'm not sure which to choose. I also work full time and have a family. Additionally, I would be starting work as a new FNP while finishing those last few semesters and just not sure if I can balance ALL of that. The online certificate would give me the FNP in 24 months.

Just not sure. Anybody taken this road? It's going to be complicated either way, I just don't know if it's smarter to focus on the FNP ALONE then the DNP ALONE (later down the road) vs taking them on together...

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Specializes in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine.

Many schools set it up for you to do the two at the same time. If you can do it that way, why not? I didn't do it that way, but some of the folks who graduated with their DNP with me graduated having done the DNP-FNP route. All of them said it is doable and most of them had kids. A few worked full time, too. I didn't do it that way because I didn't realize I could, but then again the DNP was a really new degree when I was getting my ANP. Waiting a few years for programs to get up and running probably made sense then, but enough programs are set up to do the DNP-NP route that if I were going back to school I would do it that way.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I'm finishing my last semester of full-time DNP-FNP studies. (BSN to DNP) I just had to budget my time, sometimes down to the minute, and I haven't slept much in the last 3 years, lol. I've worked 3/4 time in a hospital and I have 2 kids. It's hard but obviously not impossible. The university I'm going to (the one closest to my house) makes it mandatory to pursue a DNP if you're studying FNP. I wasn't married to the idea of having DNP vs MSN behind my name, I just wanted the FNP title. Now that I'm almost done, I'm glad I did it; having a terminal degree means I don't have to go back for it later should it ever become required. (I don't look for that to happen, but on the off chance that it does, I've got it covered.)

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Great, thank you so much for the feedback! I think that going ahead with the DNP is the wisest decision. Since the program is close to me I'm super familiar with the program and school so I feel like it's the best choice. Plus, it will prepare me long term in case the practice standard ever changes, AND give me the option to teach someday if I so choose.

Thanks again!

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