Advice on grad school route

[number41]

Hello all,

I am graduating with my ADN in the next few weeks. I have a Bachelors in another field from 7 years ago. I originally wanted to go right into NP school, to become an FNP. I was denied admission to the 2 programs I applied to. One suggested I take the next year to take courses at their school, and reapply next year when I have a year of experience. I consider that a smaller win. However, I'd hate to take courses specific to their program, apply and be denied again.

I've tossed around a few ideas and wanted to see if anyone had any advice. One faculty member suggested I get my RN - BSN and reapply to other schools in a year for a DNP. Another suggestion was to do an RN - MSN for a CNL, and then I can do another MSN for FNP after. I am practically lost at this point with all of these suggestions.

My goal is to become an FNP. I don't see how a CNL degree would help that, but I also see how it wouldn't hurt that. Rather than waste time on another Bachelors, an RN - MSN would prove I am capable of graduate work. I was hoping to hop right in but can see that may not happen and understand why. I don't want to wait a year to reapply without doing something in the interim, because I don't want to be in this position in a year because I did nothing. I'd like to at least move forward in some small way. Any suggestions? After completing a CNL degree, I would still require another MSN degree to become an FNP correct? There isn't some abbreviated or accelerated way to do that when you already have an MSN? Thank you in advance for any suggestions I am open to anything!

[WoundedBird]

I'm not sure about other programs, but in my CNL program, I can come back for a post-masters certificate if I want to become an NP. From what I understand, I would have to take the specialty courses I didn't as well as the corresponding clinicals. Say I want to become a NNP, I would take things like advanced patho for the neonate, adv pharm for the neonate, etc. I would not have to retake things like life span development, and the like.

Hope that helps a little!

[number41]

Thank you for your advice! If you don't mind me asking, where do you go?

[twinkerrs]

Most fnp programs want you to have some experience before they accept you. At my school it was the equivalent of about two years of practice before you could start the clinical courses. You could start working and also take a few of the theory classes somewhere to prove you can do the coursework

[number41]

Do you think taking them at the one school that suggested that is a good idea?

[WoundedBird]

I'm starting at Ohio State next month, so there are some things I'm not rock solid on just yet. (Orientation gave us enough info to survive our first week of classes) I think only our acute NP need to have 'experience' and even then it's gained after the pre-licensure part and might even be worked into their clinicals. Not completely sure on that but I know going into the program for any track in Grad Entry there is no experience needed.