RN - BSN to MSN - NP schools

[nurseonie]

Hey all! Long time troller and reader....finally decided to make an account and post.

I have my BSN and roughly 2 years of med - surg experience on a surgical ICU step down unit. I love my career choice and want to advance my education. Im 23 with all the time in the world so why not now while i have the energy! I'm currently looking into getting my MSN with a specialization in NP to become an FNP. To the extent of my knowledge the ANA is suggesting NP get their DNP and a lot of schools are changing to meet those requirements where nurses who have entered in the past year of 2012 or 2013 were "grandfathered" in. On the other side, I see a lot of posts regarding that some FNP programs still only require a MSN. I'm afraid that many places of work will require a DNP like most require their nurses with an ADN to go back for their BSN.

A DNP seems a little far fetched for me right now because I want to further my education and get my MSN, but I feel like education and/or management are not my cup of tea. The FNP program looks appealing but I am having trouble finding schools that will provide the clinical rotation opposed to some of the MSN-FNP programs that require you to find and provide your own. I'm not opposed to to hybrid program that is online and in class or all online. A fast cheap program maybe appealing but I want a program that will prepare me with the tools and knowledge to succeed (I sound like a virgina college commercial haha). I've even seen posts that MDs if asked to choose from two NPs...would choose the one with the well known school such as Georgetown or Vanderbilt. By no means am I rolling in dough and only being two years post graduate I am still no where near putting a dent into my loans I already have thus far. So i am looking for a great school with a great program, a great reputation, awesome advisors and instructor s, clinical sites provided....that won't break the bank and make me survive on oodles and noodles. Too much to ask for ?

There are tons of similar posts that allude to my questions and concerns but none directly. So i do apologize if im some what repetitive to the other forums. If anybody could advise or give their own experiences on schools and programs please give me some input!

Also happy nurses week !! 