Logical way for RN diploma to FNP

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

I have finally found an awesome mentor who is encouraging me to go for the DNP. I've always known I want something in wellness and I've now discovered many chiropractic clinics are adding in the medical side and are hiring FNP's. So I'm excited to finally have some direction!

Right now I am 3 credits shy of an ASN. I was told I could roll in my Psych course and still get the ASN back when I was in nursing school. However long story, that didn't happen I wrote letters etc...and still was denied. The best they told me I could do was enroll in their BSN program and after the 1st semester I'd be awarded the ADN. This is not an option for me because I don't like their curriculum.

I have a school near me that does the RN-to BSN as well as RN to MSN but only for nurse educators or nurse administrator.

I've been doing some research and see that it looks like you need a MSN first anyway to get into a DNP program, is that right?

If so what kind of MSN do you get, the one for education? Would I be better off completing a BSN locally then doing some sort of combined MSN/DNP if there's such a thing?

Also, I haven't done bedside nursing for a couple years. And I only have a little over a year and a half combined LTC/ortho and now do clinical review work. It seems the one program wants "recent bedside" what is considered recent?

Lastly, how do you all finance this? Is it wise to take out loans it looks like there's a cap of 20,000 or so per year for post graduate and something about a 130,000 life time cap, does anyone do that?

I notice in Pennsylvania there is something about loan forgiveness if you work in a critical shortage area, does that mean going to a less desirable area for the 3 years?

I'm a hard worker, graduated in the top 10 pct of my class and have no doubt I have the drive and desire to succeed. It just took me a while to figure out what exactly I wanted to do as originally I thought of just continuing with a BSN for a wellness coach type job, but there's not a whole lot of those out there. I see the FNP would be a better fit for my goals.

Any help? Thanks!

[hi616]

I have finally found an awesome mentor who is encouraging me to go for the DNP. I've always known I want something in wellness and I've now discovered many chiropractic clinics are adding in the medical side and are hiring FNP's. So I'm excited to finally have some direction!

Right now I am 3 credits shy of an ASN. I was told I could roll in my Psych course and still get the ASN back when I was in nursing school. However long story, that didn't happen I wrote letters etc...and still was denied. The best they told me I could do was enroll in their BSN program and after the 1st semester I'd be awarded the ADN. This is not an option for me because I don't like their curriculum.

I have a school near me that does the RN-to BSN as well as RN to MSN but only for nurse educators or nurse administrator.

I've been doing some research and see that it looks like you need a MSN first anyway to get into a DNP program, is that right? BSN-DNP programs are out there. One example off the top of my head is University of Illinois Chicago. I only mention that one to show that these do exist.

If so what kind of MSN do you get, the one for education? Would I be better off completing a BSN locally then doing some sort of combined MSN/DNP if there's such a thing? Why would you get the one for education? You want to be an FNP if I understand correctly, so why wouldn't you go into an FNP program? RN-MSN programs also exist. Vanderbilt's MSN program has different entry options for nurses and non-nurses. I'm attending their program in the fall, but I'm not trying to promote it. Just wanted to give you another example to start your school searching.

Also, I haven't done bedside nursing for a couple years. And I only have a little over a year and a half combined LTC/ortho and now do clinical review work. It seems the one program wants "recent bedside" what is considered recent? That question might be best asked at the schools you are interested in applying to. I hate the vague term "recent"!

Lastly, how do you all finance this? Is it wise to take out loans it looks like there's a cap of 20,000 or so per year for post graduate and something about a 130,000 life time cap, does anyone do that?I've never heard of such a cap. I'll tell you I'm financing the DE-MSN program I'm entering this fall with all loans. It sucks, but I will eventually get them paid...

I notice in Pennsylvania there is something about loan forgiveness if you work in a critical shortage area, does that mean going to a less desirable area for the 3 years?

I'm a hard worker, graduated in the top 10 pct of my class and have no doubt I have the drive and desire to succeed. It just took me a while to figure out what exactly I wanted to do as originally I thought of just continuing with a BSN for a wellness coach type job, but there's not a whole lot of those out there. I see the FNP would be a better fit for my goals.

Any help? Thanks!

Good luck in your educational advancement. I know that it will be expensive to say the very least, and the two schools I mentioned are definitely no bargain, I just mentioned them because I'm very familiar with both schools.