Male Chiropractor considering nursing...advice please :)

[NP/PA?]

Hello All,

I am a 31 year old Chiropractor looking into nursing as a possibility. I'm researching going to an accelerated 1 year BSN program for 2nd degree non-nursing majors. I have all pre-reqs from prior education. I'm also looking at PA programs that are at a minimum 2 years, some 2.5 to 3. I would also have to move for the PA programs, since only ones in my area are 3-4 years. My ultimate goal would be to get NP while working as an RN. Maybe CRNA, if I go the nursing route.

I guess my question relates to the better option for a male with a Chiropractor degree. I hear NP would give me more independence, but PA would give me more ability to switch specialties. And some tell me, that their really isn't much a difference at all.

Certainly, money is some what of an issue, since I already have a ton of loans with Chiro degree. I've also looking into going back for DO, but honestly don't really want to put the time and money into that. I really just like helping people and not in it for titles and money....although I do have lot of loans to pay back. Anyways, I would really love to hear from some nurses out there, especially men out there(not many I know). Anyone know any Chiro's that have gone this route? Any thoughts is much appreciated. Thanks so much.

D

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Hi all, I found this post while searching options into the rn-bsn route. I am currently a chiro practicing in Saint Louis, MO and looking at cost effective ways into nursing. I am wondering if anyone knows of any online programs that have clinicals within a couple hours of the city? I would ideally like to work while doing the schooling. Thanks![/quote

Are you already an RN? RN cannot be earned in an online program.

[MIZ-DC]

I am not an RN. I would be looking to start from from an unrelated Bachelors degree.

[Chiro2Nursing]

Hey Doc,

You would have to get the BSN prior to entering any Nurse Practitioner programs. The issue is that you will not find an online BSN unless you already are an RN with an ADN. There are endless online bridge programs for ADN/RN to BSN. You may be able to do an ADN to MSN, but that is a much longer path.

You do have a few options:

1- Your best option would be to look for an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program in your local area. You must have a Bachelor's degree to enter this type of program as well as complete any remaining nursing pre-reqs. In your case it is likely only Nutrition and Developmental Lifespan Psychology because you already took the other pre-reqs prior to Chiropractic College. These accelerated programs are usually found at major universities. It requires a full time 15-16 month didactic & clinical which gets you the BSN. The program is fairly demanding and usually consists of 18-21 credit hours/semester. Once you have the BSN (1 year), you can proceed to the MSN program and obtain the ARNP (1.5 years). The benefit of this approach is that you are able to get the NP in 2.5-3 years and you get both degrees from an accredited major research university (which will likely have connections with all of the hospital systems in your region). Additionally, the cost of this route is reasonable at approximately 30K-40K total for both programs. The programs are very competitive to get into and your undergraduate GPA & Pre-Req GPA are what is looked at. Additionally most of these programs will require a dynamic personal statement or interview. My program had 1500 applicants and only accepted 30 students into the 2nd Bachelors Accelerated Program. Your Chiropractic coursework will not considered because it is Graduate level work and does not transfer to a Bachelor's level program. Most candidates have an overall GPA in the 3.6-4.0 range and a pre-req GPA in the 3.7-4.0 range. Total Time/Cost: 3 years,

2- There is one program Wayland Baptist which is in Texas which is specifically made for the DC. This program is an online BSN which takes 2 years, costs ~35K, and requires monthly travel to Texas for clinical. This is followed by the FNP which takes an additional 2 years, ~35K, with the same travel requirement. There is also another school Samford University (Alabama) that takes chiros that have their RN as well and offers the NP program. These are both private schools, and they are accredited, however the cost is significant as it can total approximately 100K by the time you factor in travel expense and tuition. This is the most common route for our profession and there are quite a few chiros that have done this program. Total Time/Cost: 4 Years, ~$100K

3- The third option is to go to a community college or a private college that offers the ADN. In my opinion, this is the least effective path to take. The cost is significantly less at a community college, however you have to do 2 years at a community college for the ADN(RN), bridge to a BSN via online program (1-2 years), or go to an RN to MSN program (3 years). This process will take much longer and is the least productive seeing that you already have a Bachelors degree. Additionally, there is much more competition for the ADN programs and you must have a very hig GPA to be considered, despite your record of upper division and graduate level coursework. An ADN at a private college can cost quite a bit as well (up to $50K) Total Time/Cost: 5 Years, ~30K-$70K

I was fortunate to get into the accelerated 2nd degree BSN program at the University of South Florida. I just started the program in August 2016. I will have my BSN in December 2017 and I plan to go directly into the MSN program (FNP or Acute Care) which will take approximately 1 1/2 - 2 years to complete. So far it has been a great experience and my DC degree is well received. I am paying tuition out of pocket, however it is very reasonable because it is a public university and I am an in-state resident.

I am still practicing 2-3 days/week while attending the program, however you will need to have flexibility in your practice as well as good time management to accommodate the demanding school schedule. I am currently taking 17 credit hours this semester and will take 22 credit hours next semester. I am in the Hospital clinical 1day/week this semester and I believe we are in 2-3 days/week next semester. The program does go by very quickly.

I assume that you have already maxed out your student loans with your DC degree. This was a major issue for me as I have to pay 100% out of pocket.

I hope I provided some insight. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any additional questions as I was in your situation not very long ago. I would be happy to help you in any way I can.

[MIZ-DC]

Chiro2Nursing, any way I can get in touch with you? I am too new to the site for PM, could you message me on here? Not sure exactly how that works.. Thanks

[Chiro2Nursing]

Chiro2Nursing, any way I can get in touch with you? I am too new to the site for PM, could you message me on here? Not sure exactly how that works.. Thanks

Check your PM, I sent contact info

[KatieK1]

Was wondering which route you decided to go with ?

[Chiro2Nursing]

Hi KatieK1

I completed the Accelerated BSN on 12/8/17 and am awaiting my NCLEX date for RN Licensure. I am also in the process of completing the application cycle for Nurse Practitioner programs.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss the details of going from Chiropractor to Nursing. I would be happy to help.

[DCtoRN, ASN]

Congrats Chiro2Nursing! I am entering the 5th quarter of a two-year ASN program through a community college. The education has been very good. For those of us who got tired of the old-school chiros holding the profession back and making us look bad (I was one, and I think they are a vocal minority who make debate and discussion difficult), look into the Forward Thinking Chiropractic Alliance. They have a webpage and a Facebook page. They have fun while focusing on best practices, EBM and integration. Also, the ACA is making some serious moves in the direction of actual progress. I'm glad I don't have to wait around any longer, as I will finally make a decent living as an RN and maybe an NP eventually. I will continue part-time niche chiropractic practice as long as it's fun and profitable, but no third-party BS and no non-compliant patients will be tolerated!