FNP or Postmasters FNP?

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  1. BSN - FNP or Postmaster's FNP?

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      BSN-FNP
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      Postmaster's FNP

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I need some help. I just took the NCLEX-RN yesterday (haven't gotten results yet, but got the good popup. :) My goal is to be a FNP. I am definitely doing my bachelor's degree through . Beyond that, I need your help. I am convinced that WGU is going to be perfect for my learning style so for the sake of argument, let's just assume that that is the case. I understand that I may feel differently once I'm doing it. It seems like I should do the RN-MSN Admin program(only do the 3 P's once) and then a postmaster's FNP. My other option is to get the BSN out of the way and get started on a FNP program as soon as possible. Has anyone here done the postmaster's route?

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Look at the schools you're considering for FNP.

I looked at the local state schools. MSN + Post-masters would be more expensive and time-consuming than just going straight from BSN to FNP unless I was an utter speed demon at WGU. Which I'm not.

Consider taking several classes through WGU before deciding whether to commit to the MSN path. There are a few classes you'll want to avoid taking at the BSN level before switching, but you can definitely get a feel for things before committing.

Another consideration, given WGU's odd grading system - how selective are the schools you're looking at? Will a WGU degree make you competitive? I have no actual idea, but I'd hazard a guess that Post-master's programs are somewhat less selective, given a smaller applicant pool and the fact that you'll have already proven yourself capable of graduate level work.

Anyways, I have no answers. Just things to consider.

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Thank you for the thoughtful response Jess6. I wonder if it would be possible to enroll in the RN-MSN program with then stop once you've received your bachelor's degree and get the master's somewhere else. I had a similar conversation with my enrollment counselor. He said that you must finish your MSN, but my understanding with WGU is that with some things, if you don't like what one person is telling you, just ask for someone else :) Anyone try changing to BSN after starting the RN-MSN program at WGU?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

WGU will give you a 3.0 GPA when you are done because it's competency based. This could be an issue when the program you are applying to requires a higher GPA. You might also consider a direct entry NP program.

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Plenty of people have got into NP school with the 3.0 GPA that serves.

I think it would be cheaper, not more expensive, to take the WGU post-masters route. Considering most NP programs are 35k or more in cost, one could obtain the BSN and MSN through WGU at a cheaper rate, if they worked quickly through the program, than it would be to do a traditional FNP.

Then with MSN in hand, FNP post-masters would be cheaper as you would already have many of the courses done for the NP program, assuming they honored WGU's curriculum.

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Ok, went and looked up the details from my previous post on this topic.

At my local state university, BSN to FNP is 46 units, and the post-master's FNP cert is 35 units. The post-master's cert really doesn't save all that many units.

WGU's RN to MSN program is 27 units more than the BSN portion, so doing MSN and then the post-master's cert would be 62 units total.

https://allnurses.com/western-governors-university/wgu-msn-then-963149.html is the previous thread on the topic. There is another poster there who did do WGU MSN and agrees with my conclusion.

At the time I applied to WGU, they had a recent policy change, and would not award the BSN to those on the MSN path unless the MSN portion was completed. They would award a certificate, but not the actual degree. (I'm not sure what the actual difference is, from a practicality standpoint)

I believe this policy was short-lived. There was a post from someone in the FB group just now from someone on the MSN path posting her just-completed BSN degree. But they change policy so frequently that you have to ask.

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Thanks for your input Jess. I asked my enrollment counselor about the bachelors degree and he said the same thing you did, that they only award a certificate if you need it for employment purposes, but you technically do not get the degree until you finish the MSN. I wonder if it would be cheaper and faster to take a few more credits through with the postmasters option that taking the full MSN at a different school.

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