How competitive are post-BSN to DNP programs?

TarheelGirlx3 · Jul 3, 2015

I'm from NC and recently graduated with my BSN, and I am licensed in NC. I, like you, have looked extensively into online MSN/DNP programs, and have found a lot of issues with schools not accepting NC students. I emailed the NC BON about a particular program and they sent me this link...you can look up programs to see what is currently approved in NC. If it is not on the list, it isn't approved.

http://www.northcarolina.edu/?q=content/approved-degree-programs-licensed-institutions

kep308 · Jul 4, 2015

Hi! Thanks for your reply. I read some of your posts and I see you are looking to do the same thing as I am...become an NP. What is your experience so far? I worry because my GPA is 3.4 (I see yours is 3.9...congrats!) and I'm attending NCCU. I got into Duke but who has that kind of money even when they give you half? UNC said I didn't upload my essay. Well I sure thought I did! But it was ok because I seriously didn't want to take another pre-req on top of the NCCU bridge courses I was taking at the time. Anyway....what does one do? How hard IS it to get into an NP program? Is an MSN even worth it anymore? I am just not going to be satisfied quitting at RN.

Also, when it says "Salisbury, NC" does that mean only Salisbury accepts those degrees?

[TABLE=class: views-table cols-7, width: 631]

[TR=class: odd views-row-last, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TD]Frontier Nursing University

[/TD]

[TD]Online, Clinicals in N.C.

[/TD]

[TD]Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]Doctorate

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD]

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[TR=class: odd, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TD]Northeastern University

[/TD]

[TD]Salisbury, N.C.

[/TD]

[TD]Doctor of Education

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]Doctorate

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD]

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[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TD]Northeastern University

[/TD]

[TD]Salisbury, N.C.

[/TD]

[TD]Doctor of Nursing Practice

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]Doctorate

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd views-row-last, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TD]Northeastern University

[/TD]

[TD]Salisbury, N.C.

[/TD]

[TD]Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Transitional)

[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]Doctorate

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

TarheelGirlx3 · Jul 4, 2015

Your GPA is good, so don't let that worry you! and thanks! I accepted a new grad position in a coronary care unit, and I will start orientation in a few weeks. I will be precepted and oriented for a total of 16 weeks, so I'm pretty relieved over that. I will have to stay on that unit for 24 months (signed a good faith agreement). I originally wanted to go into maternal/child health, but the position and facility I will be working is wonderful and I couldn't turn it down. And you're right about duke, crazy expensive! I went to UNC for my first degree in biology/psychology, and started working as a CNA because I wanted to go to PA school. But then I realized I like nursing, and NP better! So back to UNC I went! and I think the biggest thing with getting into NP school, and I could be way off, but of course is grades, experience, and letters of recommendations. I think I will start out with MSN, just because there are more options online. Also, you should check into state schools with DNP online, I'm pretty sure ECU is one of them! I am learning towards FNP, or the combined FNP/AGACNP program at University of South Alabama (was recently approved by NC) Good luck!

TarheelGirlx3 · Jul 4, 2015

and about the salisbury thing...I don't even know! I've never heard of that school and when I looked it up it seemed kinda sketchy and some of their programs for NP have been suspended for review so I'm not even considering it.

kep308 · Jul 4, 2015

Thanks so much for the info! Yes, I started out on the PA path (which is the only reason I'm also a CNA...and thank god I am....what a HUGE advantage and one that I wouldn't have had had I planned to be a nurse originally) well I managed to get on the wait list for Elon but reality made me seriously happy to have Plan B which was nursing and NP seems like a GREAT option! Yeah, maybe just go for MSN and go from there. I really appreciate your input!

Jules A, MSN · Jul 4, 2015

Speaking only anecdotally it seems as if the DNP programs are now a dime a dozen so I can't imagine anyone who has the check book to finance it will be unable to find a school willing to admit them.

IsabelK · Jul 5, 2015

Some online DNP programs can't admit students from certain states, especially if the student is looking into BSN - DNP. Some of the problem with a number of the schools I looked at for the BSN - MSN was affiliation agreements. I know that the school I went to for the MSN- DNP specifically states that it cannot admit students for BSN - DNP from certain states because of concerns setting up clinical. Apparently NYS is a tough one for some of the on-line programs, as are a number of other states.

You might want to also ask schools you are interested in. I emailed a few of them when I was looking before I even filled out applications.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 5, 2015

Many online programs require you to find your own preceptors. Something to keep in the back of your mind.

IsabelK · Jul 5, 2015

Many online programs require you to find your own preceptors. Something to keep in the back of your mind.

This is true. I had to find my own preceptors for my MSN program (completed at one school) and my DNP program (completed at a second school). The MSN program was in the same state I was doing clinical so it wasn't as much of an issue--they had already established relationships with some preceptors--as it was for the out of state school. Affiliation agreements are a PITA.