RN-FNP. Any help would be appreciated :)

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Hi all!

I am graduating this December with an associates RN degree as well as a BSN in Psychology. I plan to work for a year before attending FNP school.

The questions I have are:

1. What area of nursing should I apply for? I feel it would give me the best experience with patients if I attain a job in the ICU or ER. Do you think so? Or do you have a better suggestion?

2. Do I need to get my BSN in nursing prior to entering the FNP program? I have read several things on "bridge programs" and RN-FNP programs, but nothing has clarified these for me and I am extremely comfused as to whether I should do an online BSN program while working next year or just gain my experience and enter one of those programs.

3. Is it reasonable to think that I can work as an RN while completing FNP schooling online? (I am unmarried with no children.)

Thank you for your time. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I cannot seem to find the answers myself.

Starkyss*

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I'm sorry stupid question but what is FNP?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner.

I have a question: you are obviously in school now and finishing up your ADN so you will have your associates degree as a RN. Then, you have a bachelors of science with a major in psychology also?

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Yes, I am in my 5th year of schooling. I began as a Psych major and one semester away from graduation I decided that I did not like the direction I was going. I feel nursing provides a larger opportunity to help people and is in itself gratifying, whereas psychology bears a significant degree of disappointments. So, I switched my major and dual majored, as it would be crazy to discount the 4 years I put into it or the psych understanding I have attained.

My college only offered the Associates program, so I took it while completing psychology.

I feel I do have one-up, regarding nursing jobs, on others graduating with me who will only have their RN. Psych still interests me, but it is not a profitable career choice for me, in neither money nor gratification.

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Oh Im sorry, I will not have a Bachelors in Science with Psychology. It will be a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with Psychology.

I did not catch that you put that, and I realize it may make a difference regarding advanced practice because it is not a science degree.

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It probably depends on the school. I am currently applying to an FNP program; the admissions requirements clearly specify a Bachelor's in nursing.

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Frontier has a distance program and you can apply with a non-nursing bachelors & an RN....

  • Portfolio
    • If your baccalaureate degree is in a discipline other than Nursing you will need to submit a portfolio (see the Application Materials for information for portfolio instructions)

http://www.midwives.org/admissions.asp?id=168&pid=38

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I have seen several schools that have an RN to MSN track. I did a direct entry program, and received an RN, not a BSN, along with my MSN. I had no trouble getting a job as an FNP, even without any RN experience and no BSN. I worked part time throgh the whole process (I went to school full time) and I'm sure you could, too. Just keep in mind that you may have to make some adjustments once you start your clinicals.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP).

Hi, Even if you want to go on in nursing into an advanced practice role, you do not necessarily have to have a BSN. There are schools that will permit an RN with a BA in psych. or other area to enter a masters program. Sometimes there is some bridge coursework required. Thats what I did. Good luck!

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