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Thank you for your input! I appreciate it. :) That makes a lot of sense.

It's because I am almost done with it and I could skip the ADN and go for an accelerated BSN. Weighing the options.

You're right, you don't need an MSN to get into a DNP program, it's just seems like a quicker stepping stone to NP (I'd love to have experience as an NP first before going into a DNP program). I appreciate the help! Definitely leaning more toward option 2 now.

@Simplistic Thank you! :)

Hi everyone! I have been researching the different routes to becoming an NP and reading a ton on the forums here. I'm a little unsure of which path is most efficient and most realistic. Thank you very much in advance for your thoughts and helping me figure this thing out! -- I always wanted to be in the medical field, yet when it came time to enter college at 17, my dad convinced me to settle for a business degree ("med school is too expensive"). Three years in, I left and continued my freelancing work. It's been 7 years since I left school, and in hindsight I realize it was silly to leave with only 2 semesters left to complete my B.A. Fast forward to now! I was accepted to UMUC to finish my degree, which would take me about 12 months (or less) since they graciously transferred almost all of my credits. I will also need to complete prerequisites in anatomy, biology, etc. on top of my B.A. to be accepted into BSN/MSN programs. Probably another 9 months. So now I'm wondering if I should start like this... Finish B.A. (12 mo.) + Prereqs (9 mo.) --> Accelerated BSN (12-18 mo.) --> BSN-MSN (12-18 mo.) = 4-5 years (not including possibly earning DNP) OR Forget finishing B.A. and go straight for... --> ADN (2-2.5 yrs. - instead of 3ish due to transfer credits) --> RN-MSN (18 mo.) = 3.5-4 years (not including possibly earning DNP) What do you think? Am I missing another great option or are one of these the winner? Thanks for the advice!