How do you get accepted into FNP program?

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Hey everyone!

I have always been drawn to doing therapeutic and medical work for as long as I can remember. For the last 7 years I have worked in caregiver roles and therapeutic settings.

As of 2 years ago, I gained the ability to enroll in college since I got my work and life circumstances lined up and under control. For the last 2 years I have been doing my general ed requirements at a community college and I am just now getting into prerequisites such as chemistry and anatomy and so on.

Does anyone know how to go about getting into a FNP program? I have been seriously considering this path as it is geared towards my interest in helping others and I love learning about the human body and treating illness.

I currently have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and I am studying hard to crank it up even higher. Its probably going to be another year and a half to 2 years before I can transfer out, but I want to start gathering info now rather than at the last minute. The counseling department at my school is not so helpful and super confusing. Google hasn't offered me much insight either.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Start by researching undergrad nursing degrees: ASN vs. BSN to earn your nursing degree, then work toward an advanced practice degree. Find out if you even like nursing before spending any energy, time & resources toward your goal of FNP.

Curious as to what degree you're currently working toward - prerequisites for what?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Have you looked into Physician Assistant studies?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

To be a family nurse practioner, you first have to be a nurse. Usually BSN minimum, to get into a graduate program.

What caregiving and therapeutic roles have you done? because your question tends to make me think you haven't worked with many nurses if you didn't understand the route to getting to FNP.

As Smiling Blue Eyes said, have you looked into being a PA, physician's assistant? They have autonomous roles as FNPs do, but have a different focus and education pathway (not through nursing).

Good luck! always glad to see someone get back into school and going for thier dreams.

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I suppose I was a tad vague in the use of the word "prerequisites." Anatomy, physiology, stats, chemistry are just a few of the courses that a vast majority of therapeutic and or medical degree programs require before you get accepted. Since I know I am headed in that direction, such classes feel like a safe bet at this point in time, even if I haven't committed 100% to a specific career path or degree program. (Mainly because I keep changing my mind.)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to prenursing

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Thanks for your advice everyone. :-) I just now read up on the PA. It seems eerily similar to a NP. Besides education, whats the difference?

I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant 7 years ago and I have continued to work for home health care agencies and hospice care services. A lot of the patients I have cared for have been mostly elderly or in midlife. Usually I am there because someone has cancer or had a severe stroke that incurred serious disabilities in its wake, or I am there because the patient has some form of dementia that requires them to be with a caregiver 24/7. I found most the geriatric cases to be challenging because as a younger person the families and patients do not see you as experienced or knowledgeable even though you may have been working in the field for several years.

In these cases, I occasionally would be there when the nurses would come visit or the PT would come to see how they were doing. They were really nice people for the most part who seemed pretty happy with their jobs. Other than that, I haven't been around the nurses a ton. (I know this wouldn't be true of a charge nurse in a hospital! Man, that job is stressful!)

My current patient is an exception in regards to the typical age range I care for. He is a precious youngster with downs syndrome and he is blind. I absolutely love taking care of him because he is so sweet and he has a great sense of humor! He has kind of inspired me to want to work with younger and or special needs patients. Beyond all my care taking experience, I have also used my music therapeutically to sooth my patients. I have a cello I have taken with me a couple times on the job and into nursing homes and hospitals around the Holidays.

The comments here have been helpful so far! Thanks guys! :-D

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