MSN to NP???

[shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hello, I was wondering if any of you had any information that might help me in making a decision about which advanced nursing route I should take. There are several online RN-BSN and BSN-MSN programs. I was wondering if you have an MSN, what will it take to become a NP? Does it require all the schooling all over, or just clinicals? I can't decide whether to just go to a classroom setting for a NP or if there's a way to do it mostly online.

Thanks for the help!

[meandragonbrett]

If you already have an MSN you will have to take the NP courses and their associated clinical components and you will also need advanced patho, advanced assessment, and advanced pharm if you've not already had them.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

MSN education is generally specialty-based. You can pursue nurse practitioner preparation as a part of a MSN degree, or pursue a Post-Masters NP certificate program after you complete a MSN degree in a different area.

If financial aid is a factor, you might want to look at a MSN program that offers NP preparation as part of the program. Changes in student aid regulations permit aid (scholarships and loans) for degree programs. But the regulations are making loans and aid for non-degree programs tougher to obtain.