Aspiring NPs running out of time to get an MSN?

Nursing Students NP Students

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So I'm a BSN RN with one year experience under my belt and have been looking at NP programs across the country. Every single program I've looked at from reputable nationally recognized universities has changed over to DNP programs. It's making me nervous because 1) I have zero interest in obtaining my DNP straight from a BSN for a multitude of reasons. And 2) This is only going to keep happening at faster rate and I feel like it's putting people like me at an awful disadvantage.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a reputable school either on the East coast/Mid Atlantic or California that still has a brick and mortar Masters level NP program?

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Specializes in Psychiatric/Mental Health, Med-Surg, Corrections.

There's a HUGE number of MSN FNP programs here in California. Basically all of them are MSN, and I'd say there's at least a dozen. I'm only looking at a couple cause I don't want to relocate too far, but those are UCD, UCSF, Sonoma State, and Samuel Merritt. There's a complete list here: Advanced Practice Programs

the vast majority of those are MSN programs

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Depending upon which specialty, there are still several MSN option NP programs in NC.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Student NP forum

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There's a HUGE number of MSN FNP programs here in California. Basically all of them are MSN, and I'd say there's at least a dozen. I'm only looking at a couple cause I don't want to relocate too far, but those are UCD, UCSF, Sonoma State, and Samuel Merritt. There's a complete list here: Advanced Practice Programs

the vast majority of those are MSN programs

Thanks for recommending Davis. I'm glad there's so many options in California, the schools in the Maryland area have all switched to a DNP.

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I am in the same boat! 1yr experience, but I do not want to commit to a DNP program immediately. Depending on which way you want to go (FNP vs ACNP), will depend on your options. I am looking into my ACNP, so I am much more limited. I am also on the west coast, and I have done a stupid amount of research trying to find the right program for me. If you are going for your FNP, you have a TON of options for MSN. However, I have found it difficult to find a reasonable MSN program for the AGACNP.

The issues I run into with the MSN program I am looking into are: too many campus visits, fully online programs with zero campus visits, distance learning options are not available, the price, or a lack of online learning tools.

Some schools want you to come once a semester or even multiple times a semester, which is absolutely unreasonable unless you live within driving distance of that school. I think 3-5 times is a reasonable number of visits over the course of 3yrs. Some schools are 100% online with zero campus visits, which (to me) says "if you pay us, you will graduate". I (personally) think skills labs and professor check-offs are important to ensure competency of basic skills need as an NP (assessment, intubation, sutures, etc). Price-wise, some schools want you to pay what you would pay for a DNP for an MSN. For me, that is a deal-breaker because I know realistically, I will probably have to go back for my DNP in the future. I am not willing to pay for a DNP twice. As far as online learning tools, I really would like to find a program that isn't a "read the book and teach yourself" kind of program. I have no problem doing the readings, but I have a very difficult time actually fully learning and understanding from just reading the book. I am one of those people who needs minimally a powerpoint, but would prefer a lecture or discussion to help me pull all the info together.

I think the key to finding the right program for you is defining what you want to specialize in, what your expectations are from a program, and what are the non-negotiables for you personally in a program. With some time and research, you will find the right one for you!

Good luck!

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I am in the same boat! 1yr experience, but I do not want to commit to a DNP program immediately. Depending on which way you want to go (FNP vs ACNP), will depend on your options. I am looking into my ACNP, so I am much more limited. I am also on the west coast, and I have done a stupid amount of research trying to find the right program for me. If you are going for your FNP, you have a TON of options for MSN. However, I have found it difficult to find a reasonable MSN program for the AGACNP.

The issues I run into with the MSN program I am looking into are: too many campus visits, fully online programs with zero campus visits, distance learning options are not available, the price, or a lack of online learning tools.

Some schools want you to come once a semester or even multiple times a semester, which is absolutely unreasonable unless you live within driving distance of that school. I think 3-5 times is a reasonable number of visits over the course of 3yrs. Some schools are 100% online with zero campus visits, which (to me) says "if you pay us, you will graduate". I (personally) think skills labs and professor check-offs are important to ensure competency of basic skills need as an NP (assessment, intubation, sutures, etc). Price-wise, some schools want you to pay what you would pay for a DNP for an MSN. For me, that is a deal-breaker because I know realistically, I will probably have to go back for my DNP in the future. I am not willing to pay for a DNP twice. As far as online learning tools, I really would like to find a program that isn't a "read the book and teach yourself" kind of program. I have no problem doing the readings, but I have a very difficult time actually fully learning and understanding from just reading the book. I am one of those people who needs minimally a powerpoint, but would prefer a lecture or discussion to help me pull all the info together.

I think the key to finding the right program for you is defining what you want to specialize in, what your expectations are from a program, and what are the non-negotiables for you personally in a program. With some time and research, you will find the right one for you!

Good luck!

You hit the nail on the head! I refuse to pay premium tuition for a 100% online program where I teach myself everything with no accountability from the school. But I'm very interested in a hybrid program or ones that require on campus visits. I was looking into Georgetown and they have virtual classrooms where the lectures are done via video conferencing. But lord knows their tuition is steep.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Thanks for recommending Davis. I'm glad there's so many options in California, the schools in the Maryland area have all switched to a DNP.

Make sure you are aware of the market and are comfortable with area trends before you invest your time and money. In Maryland and DC the pay is dropping and positions are not nearly as plentiful as they were a few years ago. I suspect this will only get worse as everyone and their Poodle becomes a NP.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Where I am in Texas, most of the programs remain MSN as well. The only school really close to me that is BSN->DNP is New Mexico State University. Texas Tech, UTEP, A&M, and most of the other UT schools that offer an NP degree are MSN only, and then they offer the MSN to DNP post certification.

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University of South Florida-Tampa, FAU - Boca Adult Gerontology...

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