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.
I'm still on the fence myself for which route to take. I don't entirely trust the MidAmerica Learning set up just yet. It seems too new. I would like to talk to some people that have graduated and were able to do clinical rotations in their local areas.
So I guess with that said, I have visited with 3 schools offering nursing programs in my area. The 3 required too many pre-reqs to make it worth my while, so I will be visiting community colleges over the next three weeks.
I do not trust the MidAmerica program either. I heard the other day that the program is going to take 3.5 years to complete instead of the 2 years they were announcing when the program first began.
I have a number of patients that are nurses and nurse practitioners who suggest I do the "long" route. ADN or BSN then work part-time for full-time as a nurse in preferably med-surg to learn proper coding of patients, then let facility you are working for pay for the NP degree.
I have a number of patients that are nurses and nurse practitioners who suggest I do the "long" route. ADN or BSN then work part-time for full-time as a nurse in preferably med-surg to learn proper coding of patients, then let facility you are working for pay for the NP degree.
Consider this Wayland is a well respected university that stands to make a great deal of money off of DCs in the future if they succeed. I expect that those of us starting next week will have a top notch education and will pave the way for the rest. However, those who wait will undoubtedly pay progressively more. 2 years ago the program started at 30k now it is 45. So start saving up!
I keep seeing people stating that they want to get their BSN or MSN with desire for NP....only to go work for someone else?
I just can't wrap my head around that. The ONLY reason I'd want to get my NP is to have relative autonomy to integrate additional treatment modalities into my EXISTING practice.
How many Chiros are dying out there financially? I don't get it......with this additional degree you've got the whole shabang under wraps.....
You can still treat people Chiropractically, then you've got the additional benefit of utilizing prescriptives to boot!
Imagine that hot back patient that comes stumbling in and you've got nothing to throw at them. Now instead of *****-footing around, the Rx pad comes out.....they get a few days of pharms...and then they get back to the methods of treatment that are non-invasive or drug dependent.
I've personally got another stake in being an NP....currently my state disallows me from performing invasive EMG studies, for which I'm overqualified to perform. I can do it in any of the surrounding states I'm licensed in....but not my home state...which is LAME beyond belief.
I don't suddenly inherit skills or knowledge just because I cross a border, but this type of restrictive idiocy still persists.
But I digress: This degree would enable me to bust right through the artificially induced ceiling prohibiting me from performing that singular test...without restriction.
It pains me gravely to hear so many Chiropractors just dropping off like flies. I know people KILLING it in the field that DON'T run their practices like a "restaurant" as somebody previously inferred.
It doesn't have to be some big sales schtick......it doesn't have to be such a huge awful loss either.
There are people making TONS of money, without shame and without making pretenses about it.
I see my role expanding in surgical centers, hospitals, and my abilities growing 1000-fold with the addition of this degree. I wouldn't for one second consider 'switching' professions when there is SO much potential in this one to begin with. I don't wanna be something DIFFERENT, I just want to expand and incorporate other clinical powers and abilities.....nothing wrong with that.
Now I'd like to hear from people that aren't sad sacks that are on the same page and want to do virtually the same thing....
Hell...just billing for trigger point injections (@ $100 a pop), and being able to bust off epidurals (@ 6K a pop) would be grounds enough to get this thing off the ground. Forget all the durable medical equipment and other stuff that would be fired off like rockets.
If you are having trouble with schools accepting your classes you took 10+ years ago then do as I did. I went back to my local community college and applied to their A.D.N. (RN) program and all my classes that I took there were excepted and everything I took from Life University transfered in. I was the first Chiropractor to do this at my local college. I will finish the program December 2010. I only have to take the core RN classes, no anatomy, micro, etc.. Now there are 2 other DC's applying to go through there program. I am looking to then go through a A.D.N. (RN) bridge program to M.S.N (FNP) like Frontier. These types of programs are made for like chiropractors who have advanced degree (BS). Look around at your state universities for the bridge programs in FNP or Distance learning. University of Cinncinatti is one. Just google around and you will find a program that allows you to continue to work and learn. I would highly recommend getting your RN in a local college to gain the hands on experience of nursing. We are not taught nothing like this in chiropractic school. I actually am doing my clinicals at the local hospitals and everyone knows me and thinks that it is awesome what I am doing. I treat most of them and have to reassure them that I am not going to stop practicing chiropractic (that's my life and passion), but I do want to make sure I get paid for my services through the insurance companies, medicare and medicaid. Also, I think it is great to be able to practice either more in neurology or orthopedics since this is a big portion of our education. I think there is a huge oportunity for chiropractors to diverse into midwifery, Ob/gyn and family practice adding that holistic approach most chiropractors have. A friend of mine who was a chiropractor for 20 years with a successful practice went back and did this and now works with a spine surgeon. He does surgical assist 2 days a week and 3 days a week he does new patient exams, follow-ups, etc... On call every 6th weekend and works M-F 9-5. $100k/yr. Not what he was making in chiropractic, but it takes the stress off his joints that 20 years or chiropractic can do. Just research the schools and get to know the admissions people face to face. They are less likely to descriminate if they know you. We all should work together for the sake of patients.
Try your local community college. Most have 2 year programs. Mine was $3,500 for the whole A.D.N (RN) program. 1/10 the cost of these online or distance programs and you get the hands on experience chiropractors need to successful I think.
Breakthrough....K+ on the heads up. I'm not sure how the local community programs work for the intitial acquisition of the RN or BSN degree...but I'm gonna look into it.
I see plenty of programs online that allow BSN to MSN, but no online/distance learning programs for getting that initial degree (RN/BSN).
I really don't want to add any significant blockades to my existing practice(s), so if it requires a boatload of hands on....taking off a plethora of days, etc.....I may have to bite the bullet and do the pricey setup with Mid America and their cronies.
For me convenience is king. If the tradeoff is that I have to spend alot of time not working so I can spend relatively little money to accomplish the same thing......it may not be my cup of tea. If I had that kind of time to devote, I'd just ship off to the Carribean or some other god-awful place to scoop up my M.D.. I got more money than time, and a significant interest in expanding my scope of practice.
This A.P.N. gig seems like it gives you the benefit of both worlds without the hassle, pomp or circumstance required in other endeavors....right here in the good old U.S. of A.
Would love to just pick up the PMR skills and ability to bill 3rd party payors. Don't need to be cleaning up feces and urine and all that jazz. Leave that for the people that find it interesting.
That sounds right up my alley. Did alot of homework last night because of your prior reply. Researching Seton Hall, Rutgers, and other places nearby. If I can score a weekend/evening placement that'll be fine. Problem with researching anything initially is they always want to get a bunch of info. from you up front to "send you a catalog" or whatever. Alot of sizzle with no substance initially. Gotta call the places direct and shake a few trees to get somewhere. If anyone has the scoop on the NJ/NY/PA/CT area o' the world....would love to hear about it.
cursedbyapollo
2 Posts
Good question. Any suggestions or recommendations?