campus-based BSN-DNP programs

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I recently passed my NCLEX exam and I am working as a RN on a med/surg unit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am interested in going back to school (probably applying for fall 2010) for either ANP or FNP through the new BSN-DNP track. I have been on aacn website with the list of DNP programs, however I'm having a hard time distinguishing which schools have campus-based education for the BSN-DNP track and which are only distant learning.

While I've seen many people post asking about distant learning programs, I am very interested in schools that are campus-based. I am 22 years old with the ability to move and go to school anywhere and I do not feel I learn very well through online courses.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on schools that offer the programs on campus?

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Wayne State University is campus based. You van slso do distance... You can go either full or part time. They are very friendly and helpful. They are planning on transitioning from MSN to BSN to DNP by 2010... I can send you a link if you would like. Unless you want out of Michigan haha...I will say though that even though Michigans economy is crashing, health care positions are still flourishing, so don't fly the coup yet!! U of Ms program is on line...I'm not sure about Oakland or U of D... I don't think they have BSN to DNP yet..

Good luck!!

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Oh yeah, when looking into your program, make sure they have your specialty...like WSU has FNP and PNP, but Nit ANP...they also have ACNP...

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thanks for the info-sure I'd love the website and check it out. Yes, I am more interested in getting out of michigan haha-but I want to go where it's best for me and I feel I will get the best education.

Grand Valley does have the DNP now-I have talked with an advisor there-but they only have ANP or PNP, not family. I will probably apply there anyways.

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Most of the schools offering DNP programs opened these as post-Masters DNP programs. This was primarily done for two reasons. One, the biggest demand for the DNP degree was from those that are already MSN-prepared.

The second reason is a bit more complicated. If you want to sit for Advanced Practice Certification (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA), you need to have graduated from a program accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The standards for accrediting DNP programs were developed about a year ago. The first DNP accreditation visits (4 of them) occured last fall, and CCNE is voting on these accreditation awards this month. So on purely accredited terms, the great majority of DNP programs (max of 4 of 96) are presently accredited. 12 more schools had accreditation visits this spring (my University included), and another 2 dozen have visits scheduled for the 2009-2010 academic year.

At my own University, we did not want to enroll BSN-DNP students until after accreditation was already set. We were not comfortable about enrolling BSN-prepared students into an unaccredited program for which they needed to be certified. As more DNP programs earn CCNE accreditation, more will open BSN-DNP programs.

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most of the schools offering dnp programs opened these as post-masters dnp programs. this was primarily done for two reasons. one, the biggest demand for the dnp degree was from those that are already msn-prepared.

the second reason is a bit more complicated. if you want to sit for advanced practice certification (np, cns, cnm, crna), you need to have graduated from a program accredited by the commission for collegiate nursing education (ccne). the standards for accrediting dnp programs were developed about a year ago. the first dnp accreditation visits (4 of them) occured last fall, and ccne is voting on these accreditation awards this month. so on purely accredited terms, the great majority of dnp programs (max of 4 of 96) are presently accredited. 12 more schools had accreditation visits this spring (my university included), and another 2 dozen have visits scheduled for the 2009-2010 academic year.

at my own university, we did not want to enroll bsn-dnp students until after accreditation was already set. we were not comfortable about enrolling bsn-prepared students into an unaccredited program for which they needed to be certified. as more dnp programs earn ccne accreditation, more will open bsn-dnp programs.

yes, there are no currently accredited dnp programs. dnp programs also need accreditation from the board of nursing, the state and the region. the ancc certification np eligibility does not require a dnp program be accredited by ccne or other nursing body if the school's existing fnp program is already accredited. if you look at the accn np application you have three choices for np education, masters, post-masters and doctorate.

thus, you can sit for the fnp certification exam prepared as a bsn to dnp from a non ccne accredited program.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

University of Pittsburgh has a BSN-DNP program, as does Arizona State and University of Illinois-Chicago.

Basically after the first two years you get your NP, and the third is additional coursework and your residency.

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University of Pittsburgh has a BSN-DNP program, as does Arizona State and University of Illinois-Chicago.

Basically after the first two years you get your NP, and the third is additional coursework and your residency.

I would strongly suggest you seek a campus based program where you do not opt out after two years and take FNP exam. That model is not the one favored by NONPF, the preference is for the completion of a BSN-DNP program followed by certification. We had this same issue back in the early 80s where students could opt out early before they completed the master's degree.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.
I would strongly suggest you seek a campus based program where you do not opt out after two years and take FNP exam. That model is not the one favored by NONPF, the preference is for the completion of a BSN-DNP program followed by certification. We had this same issue back in the early 80s where students could opt out early before they completed the master's degree.

University of Pittsburgh is one of the highest regarded nursing schools. For the DNP residency I think you HAVE to be certified though and that is the reason you do it; I don't think you can be certified if you decide to leave the program and don't get the degree.

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Specializes in FNP.

If you want to stay in the northern states, St Scholastica in Duluth MN has a DNP program, but it's a post-master's only. They also have various options for your master's. The University of MN in Minneapolis just switched to DNP-only programs - http://www.nursing.umn.edu/DNP/home.html

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