BSN to FNP or MSN to FNP

[shellfrmmo, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, LPN, LVN, RN]

I will be graduating with my BSN in September. It is an accelerated RN to BSN online program. I am wanting to continue my education with end goal being Nurse Practitioner. I have looked at BSN to FNP online programs and have found some that interest me. I have been in the healthcare profession since 1992 (CNA 1992, LVN 1996, ADN 2009, BSN 2020) so I have a lot of contacts and I have already talked to many practitioners and facilities and will have no problem setting up clinicals for online programs. I have a couple years to decide. My BSN loan will be paid off in 2022 so I won't start a new program until then.

My question is what is your recommendation based on personal experience?
Looking to here from people who have taken either route to their NP?

Should I get my MSN first and the FNP? or just go straight for the FNP and then specialize after that? Is there any advantage to getting MSN first? I am 46 so the clock is ticking.

Thank you so much for your advice!

[AddictionNP, MSN, NP]

When you get your MSN you can pick the FNP track. Generally when you do your MSN you have to pick a track, education, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, ACNP, AGNP, FNP etc...

Goodluck with your future endeavors.

[shellfrmmo, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, LPN, LVN, RN]

On 8/3/2020 at 3:14 PM, thinbluelineRN said:

When you get your MSN you can pick the FNP track. Generally when you do your MSN you have to pick a track, education, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, ACNP, AGNP, FNP etc...

Goodluck with your future endeavors.

so no to skipping MSN and just going for a BSN- FNP program?

[db2xs]

I am not understanding your original post. Maybe you mean should you get a general master's degree vs an MSN that would take you along the NP route? I know several RNs who have their general master's and are not NPs.

You cannot "skip" the master's portion in NP school: You can either become an APRN or just stay as an RN with your general master's.

Ultimately, if you know you want to be an NP and want to "save time," just go to NP school--you'll get your MSN at the same time. If you are not sure what you want to do with your master's degree, perhaps just do a general master's. That could leave it open for you to decide later on whether you want to do education, CNS, NP, or CNM (I purposely left out CRNA).

[shellfrmmo, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, LPN, LVN, RN]

You can do a MSN specialty nursing degree and THEN go into FNP

OR

choose a BSN to FNP program called and MSN-FNP.

some college require that you have a masters to get accepted into FNP program.

some colleges have the MSN in FNP

[Flum Mox]

Consider payment forgiveness or scholarships because there are lot more opportunities. Don’t wait, follow the BSN to FNP track. When you graduate, you’ll have MSN FNP. Work in rural or low income for loan forgiveness.