Looking for a short NP program- less than 2 years

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Hi I am posting this here since I think most of you may have completed your programs already and can offer your thoughts. I am seeking a shorter program than those that are 2 plus years long. There are schools that are this short. I am a nontraditional student and do want to complete the work online and be able to practice sooner. Knowing those schools which are very used to older students would be very helpful too. I will transfer in courses from another accredited MSN program. I hope you can help me narrow down the schools that offer online NP programs that are shorter than 2 years and are very used to nontraditional students. Thanks, Barinbass.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Are we talking FNP? I would be very skeptical of a FNP program that is less than two years (going full-time) in length - BUT, that's just me. I don't know how it is possible to get the required clinical hours (plus class) squeezed into that time-frame, unless they only require the bare-minimum.

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I am ANP, and there are three programs that I can think of that are less than 2 full years. One is 4 semesters and the other two are 5 semesters. They contain the same courses as the others just not spread out over a longer period of time so you can start working and making NP money sooner. I am seeking others that allow me to complete the program in no more than 2 calendar years. Barinbass

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

Well if you are an ANP then why don't you get a postmasters? Vanderbilt has a very short program if done full time. 3 semesters I believe.

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I meant I am ANP (student now) as opposed to FNP as was in the response. Would love the three semesters, so will definitely consider that for a certificate.

Duke is one of those that is 5 semesters, less than 2 years. Thanks, Barinbass

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Post-masters certificate is the way to go IMHO also.

I did my MSN in 2005 (management and leadership), then did a post-MSN adult health CNS in two semesters (512 clinical hours), then just finished another post-MSN peds CNS (504 clinical hours) in three semesters.

Very doable.

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Sounds like a good idea. How long was your MS program? That would make the difference. It needs to be as short as possible. Thanks Barinbass

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My MSN was 39 credit hours and I did it in one calendar year.

My first post-MSN certificate - adult health CNS was 2 semesters which included a total of 512 hours of clinical.

My second post-MSN certificate - peds CNS I did in three semesters and this also included 504 hours of clinical.

I want to state though that I worked for these - doing homework late into the night, using lots of PTO for the clinicals - doing 18 hours of clinicals in a day, etc...

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

So was it pretty hard fulfilling the clinical time? I ask that seriously because I'm thinking of a post masters and working full-time. 500h/12h shift =~ 40 days/2 semesters 20 days of clinicals/4 months in a semester= 5 days a month. I think I could swing that working a 3/12 shifts, or am I missing something?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

It was easier doing my first post-MSN because I was still a staff RN (though I had an MSN) and worked 3-12's.

With my second post-MSN, I was already a working APN and working 45-55 hours/week plus call so I had much less free time.

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Traumanurse

where did you complete your first cns?

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I'd like to know where she did her NP. I didn't see that mentioned and was the reason I posted. Barinbass

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