PharmD to NP

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 20, 2014

Anyone else can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that, in order to become an NP, you have to have a BSN and then proceed to receive an MSN or DNP. I don't think having a PharmD exempts you from that process. However, you probably already have your prereqs for nursing school out of the way! I also started out in pharmacy but decided it wasn't my cup of tea. Good luck!

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · May 20, 2014

If not looked a whole lot but the one "direct entry" program I've seen put the candidates through an accelerated BSN (AKA 2nd degree BSN) program first. On passing the NCLEX the candidates then had to become employed as RN minimally 8hrs a week while they completed the graduate NP program over 2 years.

The reason is that NP unlike medical program doesn't have an extended residency. They rely on experienced nurses adding advanced skills to their already present (and hopefully substantial) clinical abilities and judgement.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · May 20, 2014

You would have to go to nursing school, then get an MSN, and then NP. You might be able to achieve your goals more efficiently by considering Physician Assisting school.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 21, 2014

Look for a direct entry MSN/NP or bridge program. They exist.

mgfam · May 21, 2014

Emory has ABSN/MSN program for degree holder

LadyLamp · May 21, 2014

As the poster stated above, you'd probably want to look at a direct-entry NP program. The Ivy's come to mind, like Yale and Columbia, but there are others. The first year mimics an ABSN program, in that you gain the basics for nursing practice and can sit for the NCLEX, but then you go straight into specialty training. As such, these programs require that you declare a specialty before you start the program.

However, in order to go directly into a master's/doctoral program in nursing, you need a BSN and/or you must be an RN. A BSN does not equal a BS/BA degree in the nursing world; the same applies for advanced degrees.

KG MSN RN CCRN CEN, MSN, RN · May 21, 2014

Nursing school and Pharmacy school are two different breeds. I am in nursing school now, and my brother is in his last year of pharmacy school. The way the two tests are run are completely different, also the way nurses and pharmacists think is very different. I can pretty much guarantee that you would have to go through 6 more years (BSN then MSN) of schooling to become a NP. I am pretty positive that they can't allow someone from a completely different program to progress straight to NP school, because nursing school provides you with all of the needed information and skills. But I mean, if it is something that you have your mind set on, by all means go for it

elkpark · May 21, 2014

I can pretty much guarantee that you would have to go through 6 more years (BSN then MSN) of schooling to become a NP. I am pretty positive that they can't allow someone from a completely different program to progress straight to NP school, because nursing school provides you with all of the needed information and skills.

This is not true. As already noted above, there are scads of "direct-entry" MSN programs that take people with a BA/BS (minimum; nothing stopping people with graduate degrees from applying) in another subject, and no nursing education or experience, and put them through what is basically an accelerated BSN program + MSN program. These programs are typically 2-3 yrs (full-time study) in length, and you graduate prepared to sit for the national certification exam in your advanced practice specialty. Some of the programs don't even require that students work as RNs during the program; in the program I attended (as a traditional, experienced-RN student, but the school also included a direct-entry track and those students were my classmates), none of the direct-entry students worked as RNs while in school, and graduated and entered advanced practice with no RN experience whatsoever (and no intention of getting any).

These programs are v. popular (not necessarily with a lot of nurses, but they are with potential students ...) and are all over the US.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 21, 2014

But also from what I am understanding, that doing a direct entry MSN is not always wise. I have just heard that employers don't like to hire those that come from direct entry MSN programs for a variety of reasons. The first being they expect more money being a MSN and they have no experience at bedside. They could pay a BSN or ADN new grad far less for the same experience. Also seeing as how most MSN programs require at least a year of critical care experience they understand and have more experience. That is what I am understanding the staffing issues are these days. Hospitals want to hire people with experience and are shying away from hiring new grads. But the new grad with a direct entry MSN has a double whammy. No experience but wants higher pay. Someone can correct me if I am wrong on that but I have read some articles on the subject. I have been contemplating maybe getting my MSN someday to become an Advanced Practice Nurse so I did some research on it to see what the best way to go was.

mgfam · May 21, 2014

NP mostly does not do bedside job, RN can never do a NP job. Most MSN will do NP rather than CNS.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · May 21, 2014

In my opinion, it doesn't make much sense to pursue nursing since you would have an additional 4-6 years of education to become an NP. Since you want to work with patients in a clinical capacity, and you have a degree, you should be a qualified candidate for PA school (physician assistant) which is a masters program. You would likely have pre-reqs complete and only 2 more years of school.

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