Chiropractor to FNP

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hey everyone, I need some advice concerning a new online BSN and FNP program. This program is allowing RN's and chiropractors direct entry into their BSN program. After one year the student will sit for their boards and if they pass, they continue with the NP Program for one year. The program is through Mid America and Hardin-Simmons University in Texas.

I have been a chiropractor for 11 years and I am looking to leave the profession. I am planning to go back to school to become a NP or PA. I am a little concerned about the online BSN and NP Program. Is a student adequately trained by an online course compared to learning in a classroom? You have some hands on training and you have to go through your rotations, but I am not convinced the student is ready to care for patients without more on the job training.

My goal as an NP or PA is to work in orthopedics or emergency medicine. How many NP's work as first assistants in the OR or the the ER? While I am taking some prerequisites classes, I am planning to get my paramedic certification and get some experience outside of the chiropractic field.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Troy

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
Hi. I am a Chiro and am interested in a career change. I have practiced for 12 years and have never felt like I have really been full-filled and doing what I truly was meant to be doing. I wish I did what I originally wanted to do and apply and immediately enter Osteopathic Medical School after graduating Chiropractic College.

Now I am interested in the NP degree and have heard of the path that Chiro's can take at Mid America and Hardin-Simmons University in Texas.

I can not find any information on that program at all. Can someone help and lead in the right direction.

Thanks, Kevin

Your best bet would be to look at a post-bac NP program. I don't think you could get into a post-masters certificate NP program without having to take a lot of prereqs. The major issue you are going to face is your "obsolete" science classes. Most programs require that you have had A&P or Biology within the past 6 years or so.

I would definitely look into the post-bac MSN. There are a lot of them out there....

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Specializes in ER.

Kevin, the website for the Mid America NP program is www.midamsnp.com.

Troy

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Specializes in orthopedics.

I looked at the program through Mid American yesterday. I guess I have a few concerns? (I am a chiro as well as RN, I just applied to BSU for the MSN-FPN program) I am going to Mid American on Monday. The application fee is really high $500! Do they want the cost of the program $30,000 up front before you can register for classes? Also, is the program accredited? I think it is through Harding-Simmons? Most of what I saw was courses/content for the BSN program. Since I am already an RN can I go right into the MSN program? It seems really costly up front but may be worth it. I guess I will see what they say when i call. Have you gotten any more info or spoken to them directly? How new is the program?

Thanks -

Robin

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Specializes in ER.

Robin, the Mid America program started its first class this year. From what I understand, the $30,000 is due up front. Student loans are not available at this time. You have to get private loans.

I know a few chiros that enrolled in the program. I have not had a chance to talk with them yet about their experiences with the program. I have heard your courses are online and you have to go to the school for hands-on training. They called it "Hell Week". They were out there for 5 days.

During the info sessions, the Mid America faculty states if you have your DC degree, you can get your BSN in one year and your FNP in one year. Two years and $60,000. I think there is a little more to it than that.

Troy

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robin,

dr. scott wofford a chiropractor and one of the founders and chairman of the board came last fall for a relicensing seminar here in oklahoma to introduce the program.

my knowledge so far about this program is a follows:

  1. mid-america learning created this program as a fast track to the bsn degree for chiropractors and other persons already hold a degree, allowing them credit for prior work.


  2. i believe at or near the end of the program the chiro will have completed the necessary work load to sit the nclex for the rn.


  3. now with the rn and bsn you flow directly into the msn for the np.


  4. tuition being high and needed upfront may probably be because mid america probably a relatively small operation and being new they can't probably afford the risks of not receiving a students funds up front. has hard as it is to shell out 30,000 upfront for the bsn and then again for the msn it definitely provides for a level of commitment to work hard and remain in the program. i am sure since each class will only have so many students and they can't afford and don't want drop outs.


  5. they state they are accredited in this fashion: mid america learning has partnered with hardin simmons university (hsu) to provide these educational programs. the hsu school of nursing (patty hanks shelton school of nursing) is accredited by the southern association of colleges and schools (sacs) through 2017. both the bsn and the msn programs have full approval from the texas board of nursing (bon) and are fully accredited by the council on collegiate nursing education (ccne). students in the online program will complete the same courses for the bsn degree that on-site students are required to complete.



  6. not sure about the rn right into the msn? that is a good question. i was thought to believe that you actually need a bsn before entering into the np degree level program.



robin please fill us in on the detail after you visit mid-america. since the degree will be granted by hsu via the coordination of mid-america it appears that even as new as the program is their will be no issues with licenser.

thanks kevin

another website on mid-america: http://www.midamericalearning.com/

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Troy,

Thanks for your entries and responses to my prior questions and posts. I look forward to hearing more from you as you get feed back from your comrades who are up in the front lines at Mid-America.

Thanks, Kevin

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Specializes in orthopedics.

Hi - Sorry in my previous post I meant I would call or email MidAmerica regarding their program. As of this afternoon they have not gotten back to me yet. I will certainly pass along any info I receive. Thanks!

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Do you need to do both the RN and the NP through this school? If you have your RN, there are plenty of schools where you can get an online NP degree. You can find a much less expensive program. Plus you can gain necessary experience as an RN, and a lot of hospitals will help with tuition. Most chiropractors are up to their eyeballs in student loan debt.

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Specializes in orthopedics.

I was just curious about the Mid America program. They haven't gotten back to me yet. I am primarily looking at other programs since I do have my RN. I applied to BSU and looking at Frontier and a couple others. The whole program at BSU is cheaper than one year with the Mid America program.

I applied to BSU mid-June. I hope to hear soon!!! How long does it typically take? I am expecting to hear something within 6 - 8 wks.

Thanks -

Robin

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Specializes in ER.

For the chiropractors on this thread who are now RN's, why did you choose to go the RN route instead of going to PA school?

Troy

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I would think that a person holding a DC degree would prefer the NP path vs. the PA as the NP path would allow for more autonomy from having work under and be supervised by a MD.

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to remark further and qualify the previous statement i just posted, it appears many states are working to have separate board of examiners and thus set and establish laws via the legislature to govern the scope of practice for the np which will virtually allow the np to basically and ultimately operate and practice as a general practitioner (gp) and have what ever limited or full prescriptive rights without supervision of a md.

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