Which FNP programs are the shortest?

fallinnstyle · Jun 22, 2012

I heard Union university in TN has a 14 month program.

Good luck in your search

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Jun 22, 2012

I'm a bit jealous that you don't have to work while in school! That will be nice, to just be able to focus on studying.

rynophiliac · Jun 22, 2012

hey_suz said:
I'm a bit jealous that you don't have to work while in school! That will be nice, to just be able to focus on studying.

It is very nice, the secret is to keep your bills low, don't buy a big house and new car, etc. I will still be working one 16 hour shift on Saturday but that's it, and I think I can handle an accelerated FNP program while working one day a week. If I have to drop the saturday too I will but it will be nice to have some income coming in to cover living expenses.

rynophiliac · Jun 22, 2012

fallinnstyle said:
I heard Union university in TN has a 14 month program.
Good luck in your search

Thank you very much fallinnstyle, this is a great lead! Their website says it is a 15 month program and at $490 per credit it is $22,500 very affordable! I will check more into this one for sure. If anyone else knows of more please post them and thanks to those who are helping make this list.

LetsChill · Jun 22, 2012

Vanderbilt's FNP program is indeed 12 months. However, you need to already have a BSN. If you don't, they have an accelerated BSN program available. Also, it is more pricey, at nearly $1200 per credit hour.

But it is one of the top MSN schools in the country. I'm going there for that reason, and because I can get an ACNP with a sub-specialty in cardiology. Few programs have sub-specialties and none for acute cardiology.

Good luck.

rynophiliac · Jun 22, 2012

LetsChill said:
Vanderbilt's FNP program is indeed 12 months. However, you need to already have a BSN. If you don't, they have an accelerated BSN program available. Also, it is more pricey, at nearly $1200 per credit hour.
But it is one of the top MSN schools in the country. I'm going there for that reason, and because I can get an ACNP with a sub-specialty in cardiology. Few programs have sub-specialties and none for acute cardiology.
Good luck.

I would really like to see some more NP programs offer subspecialties. This is where the med students have us beat, they get to do a residency and learn their specialty as part of their training. I really want to do rheumatology, to my knowledge their aren't any FNP programs that offer additional training in rheumatology. I am planning on taking additional courses with the American College of Rheumatology for NP's and PA's at my own expense but it would be nice to have a subspecialty type program that would include it.

sapphire18 · Jun 22, 2012

\ said:
I would really like to see some more NP programs offer subspecialties. This is where the med students have us beat, they get to do a residency and learn their specialty as part of their training. I really want to do rheumatology, to my knowledge their aren't any FNP programs that offer additional training in rheumatology. I am planning on taking additional courses with the American College of Rheumatology for NP's and PA's at my own expense but it would be nice to have a subspecialty type program that would include it.

Family practice IS a specialty...and many NP programs (at least the ACNP programs that I've researched) offer subspecialty training in clinicals and throughout your program. Even if it isn't advertised that way on their website.

rynophiliac · Jun 23, 2012

sapphire18 said:
Family practice IS a specialty...and many NP programs (at least the ACNP programs that I've researched) offer subspecialty training in clinicals and throughout your program. Even if it isn't advertised that way on their website.

Sapphire, are you saying that I can do clinicals in a rheumatology clinic and get credit for them in the program? That would be great. I have never heard this before.

sapphire18 · Jun 23, 2012

Well that's up to your program...I would assume that clinicals for FNP would primarily be in primary care practices. But I have not researched this since I am looking into ACNP so you should speak to a recruiter or advisor from the program directly.

AtomicWoman · Jun 23, 2012

University of Pennsylvania's FNP program starts in September and runs through the following December, so that's 15 months. However, they are filled up through at least 2014 the last I heard. You would have to inquire to find out.

Feel free to email any of the profs listed. I found everyone at Penn very responsive when I was thinking about applying there. (Full disclosure: I am finishing my Penn degree in about 7 weeks, but I chose a different track than FNP.) You can also PM me for more info. I've taken courses with FNP students and had some of their teachers as profs.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

There's one in Michigan.University of michgan @ flint I think. Accepts only 12 students a year. Has a grant to pay for students education for the next 3-4 years I think... Fast program.. I couldn't do it cause I have to work. Good luck!

Patti_RN · Jun 25, 2012

Georgetown's full-time program is 18 months and beyond rigorous! They also have a part time option that takes two years. Unless you're Einstein, it's probably impossible to work at all while enrolled full time. The university estimates most students devote 75 hours per week on classes, studying, and clinicals. If you work one day per week you'll have to spend more than 12 hours per day the other six days. You might manage this pace for a month or two, but you probably won't be able to maintain it for a year and a half. Is there a pressing reason you want to complete an NP in less than two years? I was given advice once, "Everyone wants to apply today, be accepted tomorrow, begin the day after, then finish in as little time possible. You can either rush to failure or take a reasonable amount of time to success."