Mapping my coursework...does this sound right?

I don't know where in NC you are hoping to do your NNP, but UNC has an RN-MSN option where you don't have to finish your BSN before starting the program (you just have to take a few bridge courses). You might be a little optomistic in being done with the MSN-NNP portion of your coursework in 1 1/2 years going part time. UNC at least says 4 semesters plus a summer for full time, about 6 plus a summer for part time. The best thing you could probably do is talk to/e-mail an admissions advisor at the school. They can give you lots of good information!:)

I have a similar path planned - I already have a BA, which has gotten me past some general electives, so, I'll be starting my RN in September - finish in 2 years. Then, I enter an accelerated BSN/Masters program, which I'll finish in 3 years. I begin "Master's Status" after the second Fall semester. So, five years, altogether.

Good luck to you!

Thanks. I asked the school that I was looking at if they thought I was nuts to inquire about an NP program before I even started on the NP portion of it, and they said, "Are you kidding? We wished more people would plan that far ahead"

Because I want to do Neonatal work, they said that they had tons of students that had worked for 10 years as an RN, but in another field, and you have to have the 2 years in the NICU in before you can even apply.

They do have an RN to MSN-NNP, but you still have to have the 2 years NICU experience before you can apply, and that is what is throwing me off.

I figured it just working 2 years, then applying and doing the program part-time vs. doing the BSN first, working that same year, and then working another year and not going to school to establish in-state domicile...and I saved a year working it like that.

The only thing I'm really concerned about is is taking the GRE's.

Is the part time option really only 1 1/2 years? That does not sound right to me. The program here is 2 years full time - which would mean 3 years or so part time. I did my MSN a combination of part time and full time and it took me 3 years.

Also, when schools require a year or 2 years of work experience, they usually mean full time working experience. If you're only planning to work part time, you might have to budget an extra 6 months to a year. You might want to ask the school about that. And, based on my experience, managers may be less than willing to hire a new grad into a specialized area like NICU only working part time.

I don't mean to burst your bubble - just trying to be realistic. When you are all done, it won't seem like it took as long as it seems now.

Becki

Hopefull - I haven't even started my RN yet, and have already met with the folks from the BSN/Masters program - to find out what I need to take t be prepared (for example, I'm taking an online Anthropology course this summer to fulfill one of their gen. ed. requirements. I didn't take that during my undergrad.)

I think it can never be a bad thing to find out what you need to do. I was very surprised at some of the things I could "get out of the way" before the nursing coursework began - like this online thing.