Graduate courses prior to enrolling in NP Program

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Looking at enrolling into an NP program after I leave active duty military service. Doing some research into programs now and this site has been exceptionally helpful, but still have 2 years left before separating from the Navy. I've been an RN 12 years now (BSN) with mainly ICU experience.

My undergrad GPA isn't stellar (~3.1) for nursing school. I'd like to take maybe 1-2 graduate level classes online so I can strengthen my application prior to applying for a full-time program. What would be some ideal classes to take that would likely transfer to an NP program (I know this is not guaranteed), that would also show that I'm older and more mature by making good grades as a graduate student? I'm thinking something like an online Pathophysiology and graduate level research class? Also can anyone recommend a school that would allow me to take these classes without being enrolled their NP program? I am getting ready to be stationed on a ship so I will have internet access to complete online courses but cannot enroll in NP program just yet as deployments/underway periods will likely prevent me from completing necessary clinical time.

Has anyone done this? My main motivation at this time is to get some Grad courses on my transcript to help bolster my admission chances into a good program.

Thanks!

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I was able to change the wording of my search (to non-degree seeking) and found several posts with recommendation for schools :) Sorry if my original post is redundant!

Some of the posts I've been able to locate are a few years old so anyone who has taken classes as a non-degree seeking student recently I would love to know which school you chose!

Thanks!

[MallysMama]

I think most schools would let you- you'd just need to get permission first. I would personally try to take the classes from a school you hope to apply to.

I think advanced pathophysiology is an excellent course to start with! A research or ethics class would be good too. My school (OHSU) has a few of the "fluff"-type classes online - ones that aren't super specific to any specialty. And patho has been offered as a distance learning class (the prof records the live class for it).

Good luck!!

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Thank you! I think I am going to look at adv patho first and see how it goes. Also, Liberty University keeps popping up in my searches as allowing students to take classes as non-degree seeking. And they have a significant discount (almost 50%) for active duty military such as myself. I'm definitely leaning towards this route for now, since i'll be paying for these initial classes myself then letting my GI Bill kick in when I get into a program full time. Plus their website has a WEALTH of resources for military students i'm pretty impressed.

Anyone have advice regarding Liberty University? They seem pretty legit and VERY military friendly.

[ThereB4Death, BSN, RN]

anchorRN said:

Thank you! I think I am going to look at adv patho first and see how it goes. Also, Liberty University keeps popping up in my searches as allowing students to take classes as non-degree seeking. And they have a significant discount (almost 50%) for active duty military such as myself. I'm definitely leaning towards this route for now, since I'll be paying for these initial classes myself then letting my GI Bill kick in when I get into a program full time. Plus their website has a WEALTH of resources for military students I'm pretty impressed.

Anyone have advice regarding Liberty University? They seem pretty legit and VERY military friendly.

I know this is from quite a few years ago, but was wondering what you ended up doing? I'm also military and need to take an advanced path class. Did you do a class at Liberty and did they allow you to do it as a non-degree seeking student, or did you take another course of action? Thank you!