BSN-To-DNP Fall 2015

Published

Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Hey guys,

I'm just interested to chat with others who are applying to DNP programs for summer or fall 2015 (or any graduate program really). I'm finally ready to apply, I should finish my RN-to-BSN program at WGU (after a brief Term Break) in March or April 2015.

Questions....

1.) What school(s) are you applying to?

2.) What focus is your DNP? (APRN, Leadership, education?)

3.) Full-time or part-time?

4.) What are you looking forward to most?

5.) Do you have any ideas for you DNP project?

6.) What is your practice Background (if applicable)?

7.) What type of setting/specialty would you like to work in after finishing your DNP?

Ill Go First:

1.) Frontier Nursing University (My dream school):MSN + Companion DNP and UNC-CH: BSN to DNP (also a good option and instate for me!)

2.) looking for preparation as a APRN: FNP.

3.) I am pursuing Full-Time study and hopefully a TA (teaching assistant) or RA (Research Assistant) position.

4.) I'm looking forward to the office procedures/clinical skills (suturing and such) and getting to work on y Doctoral project idea.

5.) I really want to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients utilizing convenient care modalities (such as retail clinics, mobile clinics, remote provider visits, and son telehealth practices) and identify their potential (or factual) to increase access to care in rural and underdeveloped communities and how they can be better implemented into those communities.

6.) I am a CVICU nurse with a little over 1.5 years of experience.

7.) I think I would love to work on a Mobile Clinic in a rural area, one day or Retail Health. An urgent care office would be something I imagine I might like doing as well.

I welcome any helpful/beneficial advice from those who are/have been down this road through graduate school.

Sent from the iPhone of PatMac10, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there, PatMac. I am applying to BSN-DNP programs to start next year as well. Lots of questions you have. Here are my responses:

1) Rush University and George Washington University (online programs)

2) APRN, adult-gero

3) Part-time school, full-time work

4) Getting back into a learning environment. I'm one of those nerds who actually likes school

5) Not yet, but something definitely related to palliative care, which is the specialty I am pursuing.

6) I've been working in oncology for almost a year now.

7) I want to work in primary care. I definitely don't want to work in an acute care setting (although I will most likely have to while in school). I'm also very interested in working in research, and possibly dabble in education. If I'm not burnt out at the end, I may even pursue my PhD.

That's very cool that you're interested in rural health! I am in a large metropolis, so this topic doesn't come up for me very much. I did do rural health for my public health rotation while in school, which I enjoyed. It was very mellow lol :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Sounds awesome!!! I don't want to work inpatient at all either. I love working in the hospital as a RN but i don't think I would like to as a provider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What is your reason for deciding to pursue a DNP instead of an MSN? I find that most of the BSN nurses I know are only pursuing an MSN, despite the "mandatory" (or "strongly encouraged") DNP by 2015 mandate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Well as a nurse who was initially prepared at theADN level I've already been through the whole thing when a higher degree is trying to be implemented as a standard. I figured in a few years it would end up being the same thing with APRNs you'll start seeing "DNP preferred" etc... On job postings. I figure I mins as well take the plunge and complete 1 extra year.

I never had ant problems getting a job with my ADN. I've never felt any less prepared than anyone else. However, The simple fact is just that people are pushing for BSN and for DNP so if I can do it now and for not much more money why not. I do think there are benefits to the education as well.

How about you?

Sent from the iPhone of PatMac10, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

Another BSN-DNP here applying for Fall 2015, excited to follow anyone else as they go through the process!

1) Frontier or University of Utah

2) FNP

3) Full time if U of U. Will consider part time if Frontier

4) Graduate level work, I enjoy school and wish I could work less to devote more time to it.

5) Haven't even thought about it yet but something dealing with rural care

6) Medsurg for 1.5 years, ICU for a little over 2 years

7) Primary care here as well. Ideally I would like to spend the first several years in a busy family practice clinic to gain some experience and then move onto something more rural. One day I would love to open up my own clinic in an underserved community.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
Another BSN-DNP here applying for Fall 2015, excited to follow anyone else as they go through the process!

1) Frontier or University of Utah

2) FNP

3) Full time if U of U. Will consider part time if Frontier

4) Graduate level work, I enjoy school and wish I could work less to devote more time to it.

5) Haven't even thought about it yet but something dealing with rural care

6) Medsurg for 1.5 years, ICU for a little over 2 years

7) Primary care here as well. Ideally I would like to spend the first several years in a busy family practice clinic to gain some experience and then move onto something more rural. One day I would love to open up my own clinic in an underserved community.

Wow. Nice to see so many other interested in FNU as well. I wish you the best in your journey. Which class at frontier are you interested in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

Probably 131 or 133 since I would like to hear back from the U of U first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am applying to BSN DNP as well. Have you spoken to Frontier about ability to apply while BSN is in progress?

I called and was told I would need to wait until July to apply.

It was my first choice but it certainly fell down the list because of that.

University of TN Helath Science Center told me the same.

While others have been great about the issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Yes. They said I needed to have actually completed my BSN which I hope to do in March or April. That is strange because other schools I've applied to let you apply with the BSN in progress. But, I'm ok with that. FNU is such a great school.

Sent from the iPhone of PatMac10, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am concerned I would pass on acceptance to other schools and then not get into Frontier. I would feel like a fool for not going with my number two pick in August, since I cannot apply until July.

:-/ I'm pretty bummed about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello everyone!

I am also applying for BSN to DNP program Fall 2015.

db2xs, I see that you're top choices are Rush University and George Washington University. I also applied to theses schools. I don't really have an idea which one of the two is best?

My number 1 choice was Duke University but I didn't get in in the interview but just a waitlist, which really made me sad. :( But I heard that this university is also expensive so I kinda have mix feelings about it. Lol.

Hope we all get accepted in the universities that we like! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion