Best path from ADN to FNP/DNP

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Hello fellow nurses! Long time allnurses reader, first time poster! I am currently a LVN completing the bridge to RN. I will be graduating May 2017 with my ADN. Since BSN programs are accepting applications now for fall 2017 starts, I have been doing a lot of research on both RN to BSN programs as well as RN to MSN. I currently work in a primary care clinic and I LOVE clinic nursing. So much that I am strongly considering becoming a FNP.

It seems as though most FNP programs I've found are BSN to MSN-FNP. I have also found some that are MSN to FNP but they are almost the same length. So my question is, is there any benefit of doing RN to MSN and then an additional MSN to FNP? Or do most nurses go straight from BSN to MSN-FNP? I know I have a long ways to go but I don't want to go into a non-FNP MSN program if I don't even need it to get my FNP. It just seems like extra work, school, debt, etc. if I can do it from BSN.

So I am leaning towards RN to BSN, working for a few years, and then going back for my MSN-FNP if that's still the course I want to take.

I would love your thoughts on this and if any of you are current FNPs. What route did you take and why??

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I know University of South Alabama does the RN-to-BSN/MSN and awards both degrees. You simply do it in phases. You'll maybe finish a semester earlier than if you simply did you BSN and then applied to FNP programs. No, you don't have to earn an MSN before getting the FNP. The FNP is a masters (MSN) degree.

Here's a link to USA RN-to-BSN/MSN: RN to BSN/MSN

This page has info about the FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner

They also have a program where you complete part of the BSN and then the FNP, but you are not awarded the BSN, only the FNP: https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/msn/resources/familynp/rn-msn_non-bsn_nfnp_fall_7_semesters.pdf

I know Chamberlain also does RN-to-MSN but you have to speak to student services about it, they don't have links on their page readily available. You do the BSN courses and then the FNP courses, but you are only awarded the FNP, not the BSN.

It's up to you to decide which route you want to go. Personally, I just finished my BSN and now I'm waiting to see if I was accepted for a dual FNP/ACNP program.

Good luck with your decision :D

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Thank you for your reply! I definitely don't want to go right into an FNP program, I'd rather get some work experience first to make sure that's what I really want to do. But I definitely want and need at least a BSN since most hospitals in my area are requiring at least BSN. So that's why I'm torn as to whether I should do ADN to BSN or ADN to MSN (but not FNP). Ive looked at programs where ADN to MSN is only a few more months than just doing a BSN, which is appealing. But I'm hesitant on doing ADN to MSN and then going on and doing another MSN program for FNP. It just seems like duplicate work and I'm trying to figure out if there's any benefit of doing it that way (well, other than getting paid for MSN in the meantime $$).

Goodluck with your programs and congrats on your BSN!!!

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Specializes in ED.

I don't know why you would want to do a MSN thats not a FNP and then go back and add on the FNP part. Just get your BSN and then decide on the FNP (which is the MSN part) later.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I don't know why you would want to do a MSN thats not a FNP and then go back and add on the FNP part. Just get your BSN and then decide on the FNP (which is the MSN part) later.

^^^Agree!

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