Anyone else rushing to become an APN before 2015?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Psych.

Reality is beginning to sink in and I'm getting nervous. I became an RN four years ago and have put off getting a BSN since. Actually in 2008 I enrolled in an RN to BSN program at a local University and took 2 classes. Since then I've had a baby and life was kind of a roller coaster so I hadn't gone back. I am now enrolled in a different school and am trying to figure out my time line to obtaining my MSN as an FNP. At this point, going full time for the entire graduate program isn't an option, as I have a family and work full-time. I hope to finish my BSN by December 2011, and am trying to determine whether I have the stamina to push it up to September 2011. The soonest that I figure that I will complete my FNP program would be December 2014. Talk about pushing it!!!! At that point, I may not even be permitted to test because of the 2015 deadline, and I'll find myself with another 2 years ahead of me for the DNP before I can begin working as an NP.

Now I'm struggling with how I'm going to do this!!! I may have to suck it up and go full-time, UGH!!! Anyone else feel the time crunch?

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Now I am feeling the crunch after your post! Ha! I am starting my BSN through Liberty University Online and moving on to a NP Program. I was not aware of a 2015 timeline to obtain NP by then with a Masters. Is a DNP required after that Dec 2015? I have seen the increase in BSN-DNP around the country. Can you point me to some info on this subject. Thanks.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Psych.

From what I've read, the proposal to make DNP the requirement to become an ANP isn't official, yet. However, it seems that many programs are changing their NP curriculums now, to reflect the potential transition. I'm guessing that within the next year or two, many more programs will eliminate the MSN in anticipation of the change. This will force prospective NP students with an expected graduation date of ~2015 to enroll in a DNP program.

My concern is that when I start applying to NP schools next Fall, that I will be out of luck for an MSN and will have to go for the DNP instead. I want to get the DNP anyway, but wanted to work as an NP while I pursue it.

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What will a master's in nursing be for if the doctorate will be for advanced practice?

At any rate, I think the DNP idea is stupid. I'll go on record saying that. Let the attack ensue.

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Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.
What will a master's in nursing be for if the doctorate will be for advanced practice?

At any rate, I think the DNP idea is stupid. I'll go on record saying that. Let the attack ensue.

I agree, unless the salary greatly improves why pay for all that education?

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I wonder if the American Medical Association had any involvement in this.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

Just found out I was accepted to the MSN FNP program at the school I applied to. Although I did not feel pressured to get in before the proposed change to DNP (since no one really knows when that will happen), it is rumored that my school will be transitioning to a DNP program very soon. So I am glad that I made it in before the change.

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Specializes in M/S; LTAC.

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing just had a comment about this. In a nutshell, the AACN recommended the DNP by 2015, but without statutory changes (no state has it yet), then it will not be enforced. DNP programs are growing, so I would say the wind is blowing in the DNP direction :confused:.

ARSBN: ASBN Update

Select November 2010, page 13

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It's a recommendation, not a law. You have plenty of time.

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Specializes in critical care.

Maybe you could find an RN-MSN program that would be quicker than RN-BSN + MSN?

As other posters have said, the DNP requirement is not set in stone. In all likelihood it will become mandatory at some point, but probably not on the current timeline. In other words, I wouldn't worry too much about having to take your boards in 2015. (Easier said than done, I know.)

The way I see it, the AACN is pushing for the DNP, and schools are getting dragged along with it--they have to start the switch now if they don't want to be left behind when things are finalized. Right now, the biggest problem seems to be that advanced practice MSN programs are disappearing right and left. If you can get accepted into one of these programs, then you're probably in the clear.

I'm not a nurse yet, but I have been doing TONS of research on this issue. I too want to become an APRN and if I can accomplish that with a master's degree, then I'm going to do everything possible to make that a reality. Unfortunately, my chances aren't that great--but that doesn't mean yours aren't!! :up:

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I wonder if the American Medical Association had any involvement in this.

I'm all for the AMA. I'm sure they think the idea is equally stupid and markets false hope to the public. I mean the lay person is going to see a sign that says "clinic, Dr. Whoever, APN." I think that's false hope. I have nothing agaisnt APNs obviously, but I think the lay person will just think "doctor, heck yeah, med school, cure treat my ALS."

That said, I'd like to graduate (again) and get enrolled in a master's level program ASAP to ensure my choice of catalogs.

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The Arkansas State Board of Nursing just had a comment about this. In a nutshell, the AACN recommended the DNP by 2015, but without statutory changes (no state has it yet), then it will not be enforced. DNP programs are growing, so I would say the wind is blowing in the DNP direction :confused:.

ARSBN: ASBN Update

Select November 2010, page 13

Geez, why would my state want it? That's so stupid.

If they want to do something why not get rid of the diploma and ADN programs and make RNs a bachelor's level field? That seems more logical.

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