I was wondering....

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So my start date got pushed back until July 1st due to over-enrolling. (Blah)

Now I'm questioning if this is the right path. My program is the RN-MSN leadership and management. I am wanting to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Has anyone done this with this program or should I choose a different path, just wondering what others have done, any insight would be helpful.

Thanks

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Specializes in Emergency.

That is my plan too actually. I want to be an NP and it will be a lot cheaper going through WGU first and less time. If you don't start WGU in July, where will you go? You'll end up waiting to get into school somewhere. I know how you feel about being pushed back, I was initially suppose to start in March. I didn't have all my stuff together so then April, well they had me under RN-BSN instead of RN-MSN which was full til June. So I know how you feel, just stick it out. It will be here before you know it! 99% of the reviews I've read for WGU have been nothing but good. Can't beat that!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I was accepted (but eventually declined* for other reasons) enrollment into a post-masters NP program after my WGU MSN. I would have been able to complete in one year, part-time. I am pleased with my WGU education, and am currently in a DNP program (was accepted to two DNP programs actually)

*meaning I declined their offer

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So with the masters in leadership and management program I should still be accepted for the FNP. I was just wondering if I should choose a different course of study or if the leadership and management track would suffice.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

There are only two tracks. Mine was in Education.

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I know that there are only two tracks, I was wondering if it was ok to choose that track to be able to keep going and get my FNP or would education or another track from a different school work better, or does it matter as long as I have my MSN?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If you are doing a post-master's certificate for you FNP, it is assumed your MSN is in a non-clinical area. So I don't think it really matters. Like I said, I've applied to three different schools with my MSN from WGU and been accepted into all three no problem.

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Ok, thanks so much for the input.

I appreciate it.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Why not just do a FNP? Getting your Leadership first seems a very roundabout way of doing it.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Why not just do a FNP? Getting your Leadership first seems a very roundabout way of doing it.

Depending on how quickly you progress through the coursework, doing the WGU MSN first and then a post-Master's is actually a great idea. For a post-Master's FNP, all you have to do is the clinical portion. The non-clinical portion (or what I like to call completely useless fluff, with the exception of patho, pharm, and health assessment), can take a year or more.

If you can complete the WGU MSN in the same amount of time it would take to complete the fluff courses, you'll save both time and a significant amount of money. If WGU's MSN had incorporated patho, health assessment, and pharm back when I first applied to FNP programs, this is the route I would have taken. Unfortunately, WGU added these courses after I'd already begun my FNP program.

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You know I 'm not really sure, I was under the impression that to practice as a FNP you would have to get a doctorate degree, after talking to my fellow co-workers today I was told that it is just recommended and I can just get a Masters and practice as well, thank you for your input. Now I will be just getting my BSN with WGU and obtaining my Masters in FNP elsewhere.

Thanks

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Specializes in tele, med/surg, step down.
Depending on how quickly you progress through the coursework, doing the WGU MSN first and then a post-Master's is actually a great idea. For a post-Master's FNP, all you have to do is the clinical portion. The non-clinical portion (or what I like to call completely useless fluff, with the exception of patho, pharm, and health assessment), can take a year or more.

If you can complete the WGU MSN in the same amount of time it would take to complete the fluff courses, you'll save both time and a significant amount of money. If WGU's MSN had incorporated patho, health assessment, and pharm back when I first applied to FNP programs, this is the route I would have taken. Unfortunately, WGU added these courses after I'd already begun my FNP program.

Not to mention, most FNP programs require 1 year experience as an RN before you can even apply. At that rate, doing 1 year at WGU and getting your MSN will be cheaper, quicker and easier to do a post-master's certificate (while they're still around :yes:). As a new graduate with no experience

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