Gidget63

Yes, you an apply to a BSN to DNP program or an MSN program without prior nursing experience. Vanderbilt, Univ. of Miami, Columbia, Univ. of FL, Univ. of VT, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Georgetown and other schools accept new BSN grads into their programs. Often acceptance is conditional on obtaining your BSN and RN License by the program entry date. Look for schools that also offer post bachelors RN programs as IMO they are the most receptive to new BSN grads in their Master and DNP programs. However, keep in mind that somewhere along the way, you are going to need some RN experience - either while you are in NP school or while you are waiting to be accepted. Otherwise upon graduation from your program, you will be BOTH a new RN and a new NP which may make it difficult to land that first job. Good Luck Gidget.

Hi. I am not sure of a Dec. graduation timeline but I graduated in May with a BSN and started my FNP program in August. I applied for many of the programs between November and March. The majority of the programs made a decision prior to my graduation. A few made a decision after my degree was conferred. So, yes, you can apply and receive a decision prior to having graduated with your BSN. My acceptances were conditional on having an RN license by the start of the program which for my program was by August. As a new BSN grad in an FNP program, I do not have any problems with the academics as I was already used to studying, taking exams online, writing papers, etc.. I think the problem for me will come when I graduate as an FNP and have little/no RN experience. To offset this, I was lucky and found a RN job where the nursing director was willing to work with my program schedule. Most places wanted me in a new graduate nurse program which conflicted with my school schedule and once I told them that I was in the NP program and would need some scheduling flexibility, 3 out of my 4 job offers said NO and 1 agreed to it. Needless to say, I either eat, sleep, work or study and have no social life. My peers think I am nuts as I should just enjoy being in school. I hope the RN experience will help me with an FNP job and I won't be viewed so much as a new Nurse and a New FNP when I graduate in August. Don't let others discourage you as you will be able to handle the FNP academics and clinicals without a problem - or at least I have been able to. When I applied to FNP programs, I applied everywhere as I felt I only needed to get in 1 place. I ended getting accepted to several and out of a BSN class of 150, only 2 of us went on for our MSNs and the rest of the class went to work. More would have applied but the professors were on the side of work first, then go back for the MSN and discouraged many of my friends. . Good luck Gidget