Hello all,

I am graduating next May 2015 with my BSN with a GPA of 3.55 or higher. I have dropped my work status to part time to focus on my MSN, which I plan on applying to Frontier for next fall 2015. I am relocating to be closer to family so that I can have additional family support. Has anyone worked part-time and school full-time at Frontier? Would you recommend it? How long is the full-time vs part-time?

Also I know that Frontier is competitive would I be a good candidate?

GPA 3.55 (currently)

5 yrs nursing experience

getting references from former Frontier graduates and professor

I have many cohorts who work part or full time while going to school at FNU full time. I also have several who have dropped to part time in school, or stopped working to continue their schooling. It really is very dependent upon your situation. The program is fairly time intensive, some assignments are scheduled and group assignments so you will have to be available for the other members of your group at certain times, while most are not.

I highly recommend FNUs program, for those that have compatible goals with the program's mission statement. Most of my cohorts are from rural areas, and wish to provide primary care to under-served communities. I think FNU's model, with the "bound" visit to the campus helps the students to build cohesiveness, and makes the lessens the remoteness of online education. My class uses social media very extensively so that we feel very close with one another.

For full-time, the BSN-MSN portion is roughly 2 yr, DNP adds 9 mo. You can sit for boards and get your license after the MSN is conferred. Their is a timeline on the FNU website for each program both for full-time and part-time. ft is usually just 2 classes per term, so it's not killer. I think there is one term with 3 classes in it. I have known of a few students who "changed" from ft to pt when they got to that term, then flopped back. FNU doesn't advertise that as an option, but it has been done and information about it is listed in the catalog.

It's been a while since I looked at the admissions criteria, and I have nothing to do with the schools selection criteria, so anything I say about you being a good candidate is total conjecture on my part. I believe that the selection criteria is heavily based on your recommendations and your essays. I suggest you read the FNU mission statement, learn about the school, read the objectives of the essays (I believe there are still two) and write the best essays you can. I would also look for the best references you can. I had an NP, a MD, and a professor from my undergrad, none were FNU grads, but that would certainly not hurt.

Finally, one of the things I've learned over the years (I'm definitely no spring chicken), is to do your best to enjoy the journey. By that I mean you want to pace yourself for a marathon, this educational path you are considering is not a race, many burn out by focusing on their education and not giving themselves any time to unwind. Each of us has a unique situation. I have a good friend who just recently took a term off to gather herself, make a little $$, spend more time with her family, etc. She is now back at school and about to start her last term. She didn't finish with the same people she started with, but she is going to finish, and she has memories of her kiddos that cannot be taken from her.

Good Luck and enjoy your journey!

Thanks for such a detailed response and I really appreciate the advise on writing the essay. I would like to have a good work/school/life balance. I guess I will start full-time and test the waters to see how it fits into my life. Frontier is my top choice and I have heard good things about the program from midwives at work but I just wanted into from current students.

Good luck on your educational journey!!