another chiropractor thinking of RN then to NP

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

I have often been jealous of nurses being able to throw a dart at the map on where they could work

You can stop being jealous because it is no longer true (if it ever was).

ckh23, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

If you are unhappy doing what you are doing now, then change it. If nursing is what you truely want to do, go for it. Just beware that the job market is not what it once was for nurses and new grads are having some difficulty finding jobs. Just scroll through all the threads about new grads not having a job. However, that is not to say that won't change by the time you complete a program.

Also if you are worried about debt and in no rush than take it slow do your research and see what school and program is the best fit for you.

Laboratorian · Feb 14, 2012

Curious as to why you are choosing nursing instead of becoming a physical therapist....?

chiro-ann · Feb 15, 2012

There are many chiropractors on this board, such as myself. Google within the site. I have been a chiropractor for 10 yrs and I will have my RN this year from a jr college. It's easy enough to do while continuing to work in the office. There are certainly faster ways to get NP degree, however this route is the most cost effective and easiest to juggle with work and family. Plus once you are working as a nurse, you will get tuition reimbursement for your RN to BSN degree and then for your NP. Can't beat that!

czyja, MSN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

Another thing you might wish to consider is becoming a PA as it would be a shorter route to an advanced practice role (for you).As a DC you have substantial clinical experience, which is needed for many PA programs. I assume you are interested in ortho or physical medicine/rehab. These specialties use quite few PAs .

PMFB-RN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

i have a lot of respect for nurses and have often pondered the idea of a transitioning and becoming one. i have read through some articles other dc's have written here. i have been a chiropractor 10 years and it has been a struggle to say the least. if you don't have your own practice you don't make anything and owning one has its own problems. i've about had it with insurance cutting our services or things we do all together(ie exactlly same services physical therapy get paid for but we don't) i love helping patients. many have said i'm the best chiropractor they have had, some call me 5 years later and ask who to go to. i've even found a few patients with circulation problems sent them to er or md and they later called and thanked me for saving their lives.
i am thinking of getting a rn at a jr college and working at my practice part time then going on to the msn, np. there is a college that accepts chiropractic in abilene tx but what chiropractor has 60k saved(plus livinging expenses) ?? you can't get a school loan for it nor do i care to got that much more in debt.
i understand it's a big move and different approach to thinking. some say my experience already will make it much easier. i have often been jealous of nurses being able to throw a dart at the map on where they could work

*** i don't really understand why it would cost 60k for you to become a nurse if your goal is an associates degree rn on the path to np? here in wisconsin some of the associates degree rn programs are offered in the evenings and on weekends at very low cost. you might look around and see if such a program is offered near you.

i also think it is important that you spend a few years working as a bedside nurse before going on the np. good luck finding a msn - np program. there are hardly any left here in the upper midwest and those are all at private (expensive) catholic schools.

once you become an rn i suggest you do any rn job you can get hired for, the higher acuiety the better, then when you have a year or two of experience you should be able to get a job at a hospital that will pay for your graduate degree. my hospital will pay 100% of the cost of graduate degree in nursing after you have worked for them for a year or two.

you might consider pa. with your education and background you might be able to become a pa in two years or less.

djh2003 · Feb 20, 2012

there is a program just for chiro's who want to do the NP program in 2years. 30K for each year. (hardin simmons program http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/m...e.php?id=53521)

I don't know if anything from my chiropractic school will transfer to a PA program.

I am really burned out. Our services are being reduced while overhead just goes up. I work all day then I have to work at getting my money from Insurance, patients and dirt bag attorneys(some have forged my name before). I am 40 years old and I see no way of paying back both my school loans and a retirement. I have no health benefits either.

I like the rn idea, get some clinical experience and work on the np and hopefully my employer will re-imburse it.

I went last Friday and talked to a JR college with a 2 year rn program. I will take some short teas test for acceptance this wk. I need to enroll within about 10 days for the fall dead line. I can probably adjust my clinic schedule with the rn classes.

to the person who mentioned PT I had chiro classmates who said they were turned down with their 3.25gpa and why they were in chiro school.

djh2003 · Feb 20, 2012

its not been all bad as a chiropractor I just see it getting worse. I've kept contact with patients. I have some widow women I write to that I've become pen pals with. lol I've caught 2 patients experienceing cardiovascular problems. Sent one to er and other to their MD. Both called and thanked me for saving their lives. My point is I'm not into healthcare soley for a paycheck. I care about my patients.

mtsteelhorse · Mar 2, 2012

I love my chiropractor! I am sorry to hear it is such a tough road. I don't know where I'd be without mine. Is it possible for you to join in with another practice? I know a chiropractor who does fill in work and doesn't have the hassle of overhead, etc.

Anyhow, as mentioned on this board, nursing is NOT what it used to be. The job market is not great but we are all optimistic it will change. Many NP programs are going the DNP route though there are still some MSN programs. If you can work part-time and attend school go for it; just know we don't have the luxury of finding a job anywhere like we used to. But, if nursing is your passion go for it. I'd be more inclined to go the PA route if I were in your shoes. There are some great programs out there. Pre-reqs, 2 years of school and you're out making great money AND helping patients. Good luck to you!

djh2003 · Mar 5, 2012

well when I started thinking about this I found out about the teas test. I had less than 2 weeks to get it passed and enrolled. With 2 days I took it and missed passing by just a little.. I bought the book took it 8 days later and passed it.

What I would like to do is continue working my practice while going through the RN program. after passing my Nclex I'd get a job sell my practice work a year and try to get into the NP program.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Mar 5, 2012

well when I started thinking about this I found out about the teas test. I had less than 2 weeks to get it passed and enrolled. With 2 days I took it and missed passing by just a little.. I bought the book took it 8 days later and passed it.
What I would like to do is continue working my practice while going through the RN program. after passing my Nclex I'd get a job sell my practice work a year and try to get into the NP program.

djh2003,

With your background I'd definitely head for PA program. Hands down!

You will spend nearly the same time in school, as obtaining your RN (2-4 years depending on your previous college credits), but you will come out of it as a mid-level practitioner already, with a bachelors, many, many options for specializing, and a start salary of 70K plus.

I'm an RN of 20 years, so I'm still deciding whether to advance to ANP vs. PA.

If I was starting from scratch, I'd go the PA route. Some programs offer Master's option, and there are now pathways for bridging PA to DO.

You might try visiting the PA forums.