from ADN to FNP

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hi! I graduated with an associate's degree in registered nursing from a local community college in Dec 2008 then after a year, I graduated from an RN-BSN program. Now, I'm keen on getting my master's in FNP. However, as I'm applying in several schools I feel frustrated because they have pre-requisites that weren't offered in my ADN program or in the RN-BSN program. Has anybody encountered such a dilemma? I'm posting this topic because I was wondering if I'm the only one who goes through this kind of roadblock. On the other hand, foreign RNs who have BSNs are easily accepted into these grad schools.

Secondly, I was wondering if there are any members here in allnurses who started out as ADN nurses then moved on to become FNPs. If so, how did you do it? I need some inspiring stories :) Which schools/universities did you attend? And did you find yourself taking all those pre-requisites just to complete your application? It's just so frustrating and discouraging because it seems like these grad schools tailor everything for BSN graduates and weed out those who started off as ADNs. I know. I know. What else should I expect but in hindsight, I wished I should have just gone straight for a BSN instead of starting off with an ADN. I just feel like I'm doing my best to become an FNP but it's just not enough (sigh). If anything else, thank you reading my post.

Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

Thanks a million, but the whole truth is. . .

YOU (I) CAN'T DO IT ALONE, NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK!!!

I am so grateful for what I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH, AND I NEVER ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING ALONE. IT TOOK THE VILLAGE TO RAISE THIS BOY!!!!

. . . and to take a famous quote, and word it right, . . . BESIDE EVERY GREAT MAN IS A GREATER WOMEN!!!!! My wife helped me through school all the way, I will never forget seeing her come home from school, after an 8 hour work day, and do laundry, clean, and help me study/prepare papers/moral support!!! Money was so tight we wouldn't have made it if she wasn't able to bring left over food home from work, and we had a charge account at the store she worked at. Any success I have is only due to the Grace of God, My awesome wife, and the Network of students I had the privelage to share classes with.

You see, I couldn't sleep if i just said thanks and took credit, actually I am only a fraction of the degree, a fraction of the success, but NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM, WE GET ONE CHANCE ON THIS EARTH TO PURSUE WHAT IT IS WE WANT, . . .

. . .and honestly I just want to leave the place a little better than I found it, but ONLY WITH THE HELP I HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

On your credits, Actually talk with an advisor, you never know what substitues for what, or what can be clept, or what your courses covered.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LUCK AND BLESSINGS!!!!!!!!!!! :thankya:

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LOVE that Boston:heartbeat

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Thanks for the inspiration fellow Boston Lover!! I've been wanting to go back to school for nursing since I graduate with my BS in 2010. I recently applied to a competitive (they all are..) accelerated BSN program with 700+ applicants and only 30 something spots. I was invited for an interview and am currently on the waitlist. Since I'm not sure whether I'll move off the waitlist or not I need to look into other options. I may apply to one or two more Accelerated second degree BSNs but I'm still a little hesitant to bury myself in $40k of debt when I already have a BS in a health related field (Nutrition). My ultimate goal is an MSN (probably FNP).

At first I ruled out the ADN altogether.. a.) because my parents told me to look into it and b.) I'm a snob and I didn't want to get a two year degree when i already have a four year one. ButI found out I can get my ADN in a year or so.. all I have left are the actual "nursing" classes. I have all the pre- reqs and then some from my first BS. I'm starting to consider it now.. I can finish the ADN for around $3k.. THREE GRAND SOUNDS A LOT BETTER THAN $40k+. I want to start working as an RN ASAP so that I can get some experience. I was hoping I could later do a ADN-MSN program and bypass the BSN altogther.. or do RN-BSN if need be and later MSN.

This threads making me a little worried. With all the direct entry or RN-MSN programs I didn't think it would be so hard to do this.

ANY INSIGHT FROM YOU GUYS IS APPRECIATED :)

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I guess it's a little early for me to be worried about the MSN portion. THE REAL QUESTIONS ARE:

IS IT OKAY TO GET MY ADN AND START WORKING AS AN RN?

OR SHOULD I JUST SUCK IT UP FINANCIALLY AND GET MY BSN??? ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A BSN WORTH IT?

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

First, That picture is SOOOOOOOOOOO Cute!!!!!!! YOU KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO COMMENT ON THAT SWEET LIL' BABY!!!! HE/SHE IS TOOOOOOOOOO PRECIOUS!!!!! THEY ARE LITTLE BULLDOGISH ANGELS, (with an invincible devil tail).

No look, I would have loved to have gone to a four year school, but for me, it was the $$$$!!! I had a 2 year Gift of Hope Scholarship from The United Methodist Church, A partial Pell Grant, a small state Scholarship, and an ACT Scholarship. Though it would have covered my local 4 year choices, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Tulane University/Louisiana State Medical Centers; It all boiled down to fact that I had 2 YEARS FOR SURE PAID FOR, A home within driving distance of the Community College, and I had to get my wife through her chosen AAS Program, and it wasn't possible.

But I have always been practical, so the PROs were making $35-45K after just two years (DON'T LAUGH AT OUR MISSISSIPPI SALARIES:cry:), and not to mention, I was straight out of high school into the ADN program, so I had some growing up to do. I got married b/t 1st and 2nd year (actually no baby yet besides Chase, just found the RIGHT GURLLY), and I had some growing up to do, FAST!!!!!!!!!!! I WOULD NOT HAVE GRADUATED IF I WOULD HAVE STAYED AT HOME, LONG STORY SHORT. Getting married was the best thing I ever did, spiritually, emotionally, academically, and career wise.

After the ADN, we moved to a Larger Southern City, (OUT OF THE STICKS) and got an apartment where I signed on to a innercity teaching hospital, I WAS IN LOVE. That of course is where I got my Bacholers. It was a breeze compared to the rigors of ADN schooling.

The MSN is so focused on what YOU love, and a refreshing return to the sciences. Its where I trully learned to NETWORK. I never would have even considered teaching. I did, and still help out occasionally with Clinical Groups. But actually, my struggle was getting accepted into a College of Osteopathic Medicine for the DO degree, vs. the MSN/FNP Program for Emergency Nurse Practitioner. Once again, it was the money, we can do a travel assignment ($42/hr) and make the money, so it was down to following my heart, and I was ready to go to seminary and get into the Mission field, so I did the MSN route, so I could attend Seminary in Sync, and cut graduation time down from the DO program (WHICH TO THIS DAY I HAVEN'T RULED OUT GOING BACK TO.) :redbeatheI WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CHILDRENs CLINIC IN CENTRAL AMERICA or EASTERN EUROPE:redbeathe

Which ever you choose, it doesn't have to be your LAST degree, the ADN vs. BSN here as far as floor nursing doesn't really make a $$$$ difference, HOWEVER I AM AN ADVOCATE for education, and it will open doors for you if you do get your BSN, (AND NO IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN/THINK ABOUT YOUR MASTERS DEGREE!)

Somebody smarter than me said,

"THE GREATEST JOURNEY EVER TAKEN BY MANKIND STARTED WITH ONE STEP!"

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I started as an ADN and then completed an RN to BSN program. I am about to begin a BSN to DNP program and there is not one course that I did not have that I needed. Just really look at all of your choices before choosing one:twocents:

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I completed my ADN at a local community college in 2009. I will graduate with my BSN in June-I am currently working on my MSN FNP application. I am applying for the MSN at the same school I am in now because I like the school and the application process seems pretty cut and dry. But more importantly, I will not have to take the GRE because of my GPA. So that is a BIG deal to me!! :eek:

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