from ADN to FNP

Nursing Students NP Students

Published

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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 also hope some will chime in.

As an ADN, I'm currently still debating whether to go the ACNP or FNP route, or PA school. I've seen information suggesting NP programs are transitioning to DNP-only, as the new gold standard. If I'm going to spend that much time, effort and $$ on a career change, I'll get my MD thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im definitely interested in researching more of this. Im finishing my ADN and plan to pursue my master in FNP after my BSN. I didnt think it was possible to encounter a school that would require courses never taken before especially since all these major associations work (or so I thought) hand in hand to have similar education for their student nurses. hmmmm

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I also hope some will chime in.

As an ADN, I'm currently still debating whether to go the ACNP or FNP route, or PA school. I've seen information suggesting NP programs are transitioning to DNP-only, as the new gold standard. If I'm going to spend that much time, effort and $$ on a career change, I'll get my MD thank you.

Its true. Starting 2015, nurses will have to become DNPs as opposed to just master's to qualify and work as a NP. Nurses who manage to become NPs with a Master's program or who are currently on the NP program will be grandfathered in. To be honest (Im a fan of educating oneself) but I believe this is the bar being raised since so many are catching onto this NP program. Don't quote me per word, but last I've heard - the DNP program consisted of a research base education focusing on research models (mainly for nurses wanting to work in the field education, grant proposal, etc.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@Jonathan: Sadly, these RN-BSN programs do not provide enough foundation to give us, ADN graduates, equal opportunities in being accepted in grad schools. I've applied to 2 grad schools and wasn't accepted in one university in the East Coast because I lack a couple of courses. Another grad school in California accepted me but on the condition that I take a certain course, which is offered on a limited basis and priority goes to the BSN students (and not the RN-BSN students). Now, I'm applying to a couple of schools and what a surprise, they require another set of courses as pre-requisites. So now, I wonder if I chose the right bridge program. I certainly hope there are inspiring stories out there for ADN graduates. Hopefully, when I get accepted, I will definitely speak to my state's nursing board to address this issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
@Jonathan: Sadly, these RN-BSN programs do not provide enough foundation to give us, ADN graduates, equal opportunities in being accepted in grad schools. I've applied to 2 grad schools and wasn't accepted in one university in the East Coast because I lack a couple of courses. Another grad school in California accepted me but on the condition that I take a certain course, which is offered on a limited basis and priority goes to the BSN students (and not the RN-BSN students). Now, I'm applying to a couple of schools and what a surprise, they require another set of courses as pre-requisites. So now, I wonder if I chose the right bridge program. I certainly hope there are inspiring stories out there for ADN graduates. Hopefully, when I get accepted, I will definitely speak to my state's nursing board to address this issue.

In my preliminary research, it would seem the pathway to an ANP and all its iterations, and practicing in that capacity is becoming more expensive, uncertain, and "hoop-jumping- dependent"...much of it having to do with the ACA and its implications.

A major focus of the industry as of late is in eliminating barriers to advanced practice nursing, but it's only becoming more convoluted from what I can decipher. Smells a lot like "nursing management" on a grand scale. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"Its true. Starting 2015, nurses will have to become DNPs as opposed to just master's to qualify and work as a NP."Could you post the source for this?thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The needing to have a DNP by 2015 seems to be a myth. If you can provide a link from a reliable source spelling this out I would be much obliged......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.

Yes it is a myth...it is what they are going towards the DNP but it has not been mandated

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

We have a wonderful FNP who does solo practice in one of our ERs at night. He really knows his stuff and can manage to worst tauma patients with the best of them. He did ADN to MSN FNP. He bypassed the BSN completly. To this day doesn't have a bachelors degree at all. He went to Frontier School of Nursing in KY.

There is also an ACNP who works in the SICU who did ADN to MSN ACNP without bothering to get a bachelors degree. He went through vanderbuilt (sp?) in TN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

As a ADN, who went to a ADN-BSN, then MSN/FNP program here's a quick bio.

The ADN was the HARDEST, I know thats crazy, but it was the rite-of-passage, I did it at a local community college, and it was THE SINGLE HARDEST THING I EVER DID IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!

But then, IT GOT FUN!!!!!!!

I stumbled into the BSN program by complete accident, My hospital offered several EDPAKs, or scholarships and programs for continuing education, I wanted my RNC about 1 and 1/2 years after Graduation from ADN, and it just so happened, I recieved 100 percent scholarship to a BSN program!!!

I really enjoyed it, IT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ADN SCHOOL, AND ONLY VAGUELY RESEMBLED NURSING!!!!!

MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, ADVOCATION, AND A SMIDGE OF ADVANCED PATHO, ASSESSMENT, AND TEACHING.

PLUS, IT WAS EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, THUR FRI AND 2 SATs a MONTH!!!!!! EXTREMELY CAREER FRIENDLY PROGRAM!!!!

Plus, it REALLY FEELs LIKE COLLEGE, and NOT BOOT CAMP MEETs COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!

Then, once I had my BSN, the Master's was a NO BRAINER, I couldn't have been that close to a MSN FNP without joining up.

THE NEGATIVE. . .

STUDENT LOANs MAKE BOSTON A VERY SAD BOY.

NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT CUTs, WE ARE USALLY FIRST AT A HOSPITAL or CLINIC.

I MADE MORE MONEY TRAVELING AS AN ADN, THAN I DO NOW WITH AN MSN FNP, and a non-nursing Doctorate!!!

PCP Responsibility

MALPRACTICE INSURANCE IS SICKENING REDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE

THE PROs. . .

BEING A PCP

HAVING THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES EVEN MORE

HAVING YOUR NAME ON AN OFFICE DOOR

HAVING YOUR OWN PARKING PLACE *i have walked miles before as an RN

AUTONOMY, AND IT JUST GETS LARGER OVER TIME!!!!

YOU CAN BE A NURSE EDUCATOR ALSO, I HAVEN'T LECTURED THEORY, BUT BEEN A CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR ADN PROGRAM

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

interesting bio to say the least bostonterrierloverrn ... congrats are in order for your tenacity in obtaining your goal:yelclap:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment