another chiropractor thinking of RN then to NP

Nursing Students NP Students

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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 think if I had a pre med history, a bachelors, and was not already an RN, I would do a PA program, a MD or DO program, or a Anestheologist Assistant program (I like this option) The Ultimate site for the Anesthesiologist, Anesthesiologist Assistant, Anesthesia Assistant!

Have you heard about a new program in Florida that allows DC's to obtain their RN in 10 months?

what is the school called? Link? I have taken some summer classes applied at a local night rn program but don't know if or will I be accepted. One advisor says yeah you will other says your gpa in 92' is hurting you.

I've tested teas, passed with ease, taken accuplacer got 2 of 3 tests passed for extra consideration. Sorry I didn't remember much trig so math part wasn't passed

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Legit? Excuse me but with respect I need to inform you that a doctoral degree in Chiropractic Medicine requires a 4 year undergraduate degree that includes the exact pre-med requirements that the MD's and DO's require.

*** I find it interesting that chiropractic requires and under grad degree when MD does not, even though the majority of applicants do have an undergrad degree.

I have seen a number of chiropractors come though as new grad RNs working in ICU on their way to CRNA. My observation is that they have a difficult time adapting to nursing. It seems hard for them to be low man on the totem pole and follow orders from wet-behind-the-ears interns and the more menial parts of a bedside nurses job.

You are totally wrong. Go for the RN to NP track Doc. You bring a lot too the table. I went from DC to BSN and now Np school. Best decision I ever made.

The school is called the Institute of Healthcare Professionals located in West Palm Peach Florida. It is an exciting and unique opportunity for FEP's and DC's.

Wow, your observation is hardly the case from my observations.

I had quite the opposite observation. Those DCRN's knew their nursing concepts well, are fast learners, motivated and team oriented. There knowledge of gross anatomy and pathophysiolgy was excellent. Never afraid of bedside learning as far as I could tell.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Wow, your observation is hardly the case from my observations.

I had quite the opposite observation. Those DCRN's knew their nursing concepts well, are fast learners, motivated and team oriented. There knowledge of gross anatomy and pathophysiolgy was excellent. Never afraid of bedside learning as far as I could tell.

*** Oh I certainly agree that their knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiolgy was excellent and much better than mine. Also agree with them being fast learners. I never observed any DCRN who had difficulty with patient care or competency as a bedside nurse.

Ratrher I think it is the cultural aspects of nursing I see them struggel with. The degrading and condecending manner that managment has for nursing.

Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

Ratrher I think it is the cultural aspects of nursing I see them struggel with. The degrading and condecending manner that managment has for nursing.

Not surprising when most of them come from having a private practice where they are completely autonomous and now as an RN have to shift their mindset for a position where they can't always do what they know is needed for the pt.

Did you ever start your nursing program?

What a great thread. I've been a practicing DC for ten years now. I love my practice but the Affordable Care Act, recent insurance contracts, scope of practice limitations and other thing motivated me to pursue a FNP license. I recently graduated with my BSN and will be starting a FNP program in January.

I agree that there are mindset issues to overcome. I also agree that much of it resides in the autonomy that we enjoy. However, I also have observed that nursing and chiropractic are very similar. Both approaches consider the patient/client as a whole and work with that holistic paradigm. I have often had many physician colleagues mention to me that they are jealous of my particular autonomy as a chiropractor, they feel bound by standards of care, hospital executives and attorneys in how they treat their patients. They wish that they could focus more on education, wellness, prevention and other aspects of care now delegated to nurses.

I'm excited to see more DC's enter into the field. I feel fortunate to be a nurse and am proud to stand firmly in both camps.

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