Doctor of Chiropractic interested in Nursing

[Chiro54]

Hello,

I've been reading this wonderful website incessantly for the last few weeks. I was looking for a bid of advice. I graduated from Chiropractic College a few years ago. I love doing the work that I do, but I would like to see a greater % of the population. Chiropractic's limited scope doesn't allow me to help nearly the amount of people I want to help with the 200+ thousand dollars of debt I've incurred. After doing my research I feel like becoming a FNP would allow me to help many more people. My passion is to help injured people in auto accidents, sports injuries, and or a lot of musculoskeletal issues in general. In my short career as a Chiropractor I've been able to help save people from surgery with my conservative approach. It really hit me a few weeks ago when I was able to help a patient that was barely able to walk in my office and was in excruciating pain able to walk out under his own power. He would've benefited from a muscle relaxer and or NSAIDS that off course I was unable to prescribe.

So here is my dilemma. I wouldn't mind at all working in a rehab hospital and or a PM&R department. I've looked at some of the direct to RN programs like International University of Health Sciences, but without financial aid I can't afford the 30k for the 1 year of education. I have looked into the BSN pre-licensure program at WGU w/ a possible move to FL (1 of the 5 states you can do this program) my issue is 2.5 years is a long time in my opinion just for a BSN. I've also looked into the non nursing degree MSN in family practitioner however it doesn't seem to be a lot of programs and they seem to be overly expensive. I want to make the best possible decision as far as cost balanced with time of completion. Any constructive advice would be very helpful. Thank you very much in your time & consideration while reading this.

[Gangsteroids]

Just curious but why have you decided that FNP would be a good idea? Honestly I think that a DO school would put you at more of an advantage to help the way it sounds like you would like to (plus they are less wary of career changers than typical medical schools, for the most part). Alternatively PT (PhD). Nursing kind of seems like a step backward for your situation.

If you're really into nursing then check this page for school and Direct Entry program ideas, if you haven't seen it already.

[Chiro54]

Thank you for the response. DO school is a very costly and time consuming. I've already incurred tremendous debt from chiropractic college. I have a wife & daughter and they deserve some time with me as well. If I was a little younger and single I would agree that may be a better option. The reason why I think FNP would be a good idea is I can move down that path without giving up my practice/ full time employment, and it would give me the ability to prescribe to certain patients that REALLY need it.