ADN to FNP (MSN)...most efficient route?

[NEMurse95]

Hello, all! I'm currently in an associate's level nursing program with my heart set on one day being a family nurse practitioner. I am not entirely enthralled with the idea of bedside nursing, BUT I realize I might have to do this for a year or two while I get my BSN before starting my FNP. The idea of what I specifically want to do in those one or two in between years has been on my mind incessantly. The idea of being either an oncology, hospice, or peds nurse seems to strike my interest. I know I might not have the luxury of being too picky for my first job, but I'm just floating ideas. Now, I've got a couple general questions.

1) What is the quickest route to starting my FNP program? I don't think there are any brick & mortar ADN to MSN programs in NY (where I live). Is starting my BSN online IMMEDIATELY after graduation a bad idea since I'll be adjusting to being an RN?

2) I currently work in a pharmacy and LOVE learning about new drugs, what they do, their side effects, and literally everything about them. I love explaining what drugs are used for to PT's (this is technically a pharmacists job, so this is limited). My question is does my fascination for RX medications justify my desire to be a FNP? The idea of finding the correct diagnosis and being able to interact with people and teach them on a daily basis makes me giddy and excited at the perspective of one day being a FNP.

If you've read this post in its entirety, THANK YOU so much for taking the time. You guys rock ?

Future RN, out. (mic drop)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Student NP forum.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

IMHO,

1). Graduate, pass NCLEX, get a job

2). Work for at least a year

3). When you start to feel comfortable, locate RN to BSN program associated with Master's/DNP program of your choice (same university or sister campuses)

4). get in this bridge program, start networking and getting good scores. Continue to work as much as you can

5). Apply and transition to grad school

The thing is, good grad programs always were competitive and not going to become less so any time soon. By being in the same university, you can start showing yourself off and network earlier and make an impression of an attractive candidate. Job will provide you clinical exposure and clinical thinking lack of which is the biggest weakness of graduate school students.

You will have as much exposure to clinical pharmacology as you wish during clinicals but you'll have more than enough time to figure out what you want to do with your career.

[Bcraven]

I just got accepted into Simmons College January 2017 cohort. I graduated RN (ASN) school December 2015 (less than a year ago). I say if you want it go for it. Tuition price will only continue to go up the longer you wait

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Well, I did ADN then RN to BSN and then MSN. It was the cheapest route but not necessarily the quickest. I think it was the quickest.

If you go ADN, see what "partner" schools that will guarantee to accept your ADN credits. My school was a partner with Ohio University so I found a list of credits that would transfer and fulfill the requirements easily. I was able to take additional credits while in nursing school to fulfill my requirements that way I had only the writing class and nursing classes to do. I earned those in 8-9 months (end of March to beginning of December).

I then applied for my MSN. Doing it this way allowed me to shave about 10,000 off the MSN price. The BSN was at most 8,000 but I think it was less more like 6,000 so I still saved money while earning experience.

I don't know if your wish to deal with the pharmacy side is a good enough reason for going for FNP. In the ER, RNs provide a lot of patient education (crutches, what to do for illnesses, scripts, etc). RNs provide a lot of patient education.

[NEMurse95]

I'm actually getting my ADN for free, which is nice? Where did you work while you were getting your bsn/msn? Also, why did you go for the msn?

[Cococure]

I applaud your long terms goals but in my humble opinion pass the boards, get a job and learn to be a good nurse. The 1st yr as a new nurse involves a steep learning curve and lots of classes. So get comfortable in your new role then continue on to your RN-MSN and along the way shadow some NP's in different areas so you can see what it's really all about.

Good luck in school

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I started out in the ICU but I hated so I switched back to the ER. I worked previously in the ER as a paramedic. I want to eventually be able to open a small clinic in an under served area. Lofty goals, eh?