Chiro To FNP?

Wave Watcher · Mar 22, 2015

I'm almost 100% positive that you will have clinical rotations that will require you to show up at different facilities which would ultimately interfere with your daily chiro practice. You can always call around to the programs you are interested in and talk with the nursing department. They should be able to help you out and answer your questions. Best of luck. I am applying fall semester for my MSN at our local University. I am right now taking their online classes, but I know I will be expected to show up at different clinical sites when rotations start.

chiro13 · Mar 22, 2015

Yeah, I realize there will be a clinical component which I'm fine with. I only practice 3 days a week and can easily move people around...I just want the majority of it online...so I can move through it between patients...and not have to sit in some classroom all day...

Jules A, MSN · Mar 22, 2015

I worked full time while doing a post master's FNP and was able to do most of my clinicals on off shifts weekends, evenings and nights in the ED and urgent care settings. Are you sure you want to cross over to FNP? I would have thought you would be making way more money.

chiro13 · Mar 22, 2015

Wow, that's a pretty loaded question...

I'm sick of the business side of chiro. It's 5% doctor....95% sales and marketing...

The future is bleak. Overhead going up...reimbursement going down...

On top of that, you have "The Joint" franchises opening up all over offering $19/adjustments...so it's massage envy coming into chiropractic...so the future is ugly...I believe...

I'm sick of the roller coaster...

I want stability...a steady paycheck...benefits...a broader scope of practice etc...

Jules A, MSN · Mar 22, 2015

What about looking into PA also? Its a medical model so depending on what your present education entails it might be a smoother transition. Not trying to talk you out of NP but nursing in general can be a bit ummm different.

chiro13 · Mar 22, 2015

I researched PA...again, most programs were 3 years...full-time...that's just not realistic at this point. Also, I like the fact that NP's can function independently...

PA schools in my area are competitive as well. They all have 400-500 applicants...and accept 28-30...so I figure why bother...

Jules A, MSN · Mar 22, 2015

But without a BSN I think you are looking at least 3 years in school full time to get your MS with NP. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

chiro13 · Mar 22, 2015

This is why I was wondering if anybody knew anything about the Mid America Learning program. It was initially created for DCs...allowing them an easier route to NP. When I last talked to them...it was initially becoming a paramedic...in 8-10 months, then it was paramedic to RN 8-10 months...and then from there it was RN to FNP which they said was 18-20 months. But, I don't think you can do the FNP if you are just an RN...I think you need to BSN...so that's where I'm confused. I haven't heard back from them on this question...

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2015

The wast majority, if not all, MSN programs require RN license. That means you need to be a Registered Nurse, and preferably with Bachelor's, to be considered for admission. They won't bulge about it, whether you are chiro, MD, DO or whatever else letters after your name.

If you want a quality education and still work while doing it, I would suggest accelerated BSN-MSN direct admission program. They typically take about 4-5 years but much less intense than PA programs and someone with good biomedical background definitely can continue to work in the process. These programs are, from my experience, are the least restrictive in terms of course transfers and most sensitive to the needs of older students and second-career changers. Only one problem is that most such programs cost a lot of money.

Accelerated BSN (two years, piece of cake for someone with background) followed by good quality online or in-house MSN is another option which may be cheaper.

Beware of online programs, especially "all-inclusive" options with 100% or so online claims. Wast majority of them are diploma mills with scant to none job opportunities thereafter.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2015

MidAmerica Learning appears to have their own rules. They can admit you without BSN if they want; RN license required to take clinicals and thereafter, whether ADN or BSN. License says nothing about your credentials. They can even grant you a Diploma if it makes you eligible for license and sitting for NCLEX in that particular state and that will be perfectly OK.

Sorry to let you know it but nobody ever made up a new career changing pathway in order to "ease transition" or with any other great and humane idea in mind. It all can be written in so many words on those beautiful free booklets but the bottom line still is: they wanna moneys and more of them, and people who are seeking quick and easy ways to enter new career straight on the top level (wanna to become rich overnight, make good money while watching TV, etc., etc.) are poising themselves as easy prey sitting there and waiting to be caught.

chiro13 · Mar 22, 2015

Yeah, when I said easy...I don't mean classroom easy. I guess I should have used the word convenient since I have a wife, 2 kids with 1 on the way...a mortgage etc etc...

Not looking for a get rich quick...lol...I do okay as a chiro. Like I said, what stinks is the "business side"...everybody else gets paid 1st and I get whats leftover after rent...staff...taxes...insurance etc etc...