The most depressing conversation with my instructor

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

I stayed after class today to speak with one of my instructors about my desire to become an NP and my plan to apply to two schools, Rush and Vanderbilt, with hopes to start next Fall (2011) in a PNP program. I graduate next May from nursing school. This instructor is a great teacher and is also an ANP, so I thought she could give me some words of wisdom and insight as far as schools and specialties go. This ended up being one of the most depressing, disheartening conversations of my life!

First, she told me that I should not be applying to MSN programs as I had planned, despite the fact that I would be done and (hopefully) licensed as an NP BEFORE 2015 because, according to her, congress has passed a bill that all NPs will have to be DNPs, most likely BEFORE 2015. Not just to become licensed, but even if you are already licensed and are working as a NP--your license will most likely be void. I explained that I was more than willing to do a DNP program but my plan was to do it as a bridge after getting the MSN, which she said was not smart and I should go get my BSN and then do a BSN to DNP program instead, which she said would take me less time (about 2 years after the BSN). Then she told me that NP school is extremely hard, so if the school tells me that my program will take about 3 years total I should plan on that meaning 4-5 years tops. Then she said that some chick she worked with who was a graduate of an RN-MSN program was a total moron who no one respected because she had no experience (even though I had already told her that I planned to do school part-time so I could gain experience while I was in school). And being a NP isn't all it's cracked up to be--she makes more money working as an RN. And the AMA has "clipped our wings" to the point where NPs are severely limited, underpaid, etc. And although I have a non-nursing BS degree and will have my ADN in the Spring, I most likely don't know how to write or how to read and understand a nursing article since I don't have a BSN and so I will probably really struggle if I DO end up getting into an MSN program (even though she originally said that they will ALL BE GONE in a year or two since all schools will stop offering them completely), so I am setting myself up for failure if I pursue this. When I told her that I had spoken to admissions people and department chairs at both schools and they both seemed to think that the MSN-NP programs would still be around for years to come and that students can and often are admitted with non-nursing BS degrees and ADNs as long as the grades, etc., are there, so said that schools will say anything to get your application fee and then they will decline you.

I feel like crying! I'm a good student (3.97 GPA, 1380 GRE), I've never missed a single class, I work my butt off in school and have maintained my grades even when my husband was gone for a year long deployment and I was left with my two small kids and was going to school full-time. I volunteer at a local hospital in the NICU. I normally feel pretty confident about my academic ability and I am HIGHLY motivated and was so excited about pursuing grad school for next fall. Now I am confused and kind of crushed.

Can anyone sort out reality from misinformation here? I don't know what to believe....:(

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Wow...your teacher is completely wrong...either she has some sort of agenda, or she is...well to put it nicely, not up to date on the current information. I am a BSN to DNP student, so I will tell you what I know.

1.) The DNP is still only a recommendation at this point...although I will say that (and you will see many people say the opposite) it looks like this will in deed happen...but highly unlikely in the next 5 years!

2.) People who do NOT have a DNP will be grandfathered in. Just like everything else in nursing...there are still NP out there that have a BSN...the requirement for an MSN was not always entry level, NPs with out a MSN were grandfathered in.

3.) If you CHOOSE to do the BSN to DNP program, most programs are 3 1/2 to 4 years long full time. Some programs have more summer classes, and that can cut it to 3 years. The program I am in is four years (including summer classes). There are a variety of programs out there, but all should have the same class requirements. People will say, "it only takes one more semester etc...not true just an FYI...I was told this, and what they meant was "one more semester if you went part time to an MSN program. Clearly not the same thing!)

4.) NP is hard. period...but is it doable while working full time...absolutely. HOWEVER, that takes a lot of dedication etc. You can do most programs part time. This takes 3 years... The DNP program part time is 5-7 years.

5.) I'm not sure about admission if you have a BS that is non nursing...that is tricky

6.) It is TRUE that many schools are getting rid of their MSN programs. My school has already transitioned from the BSN-MSN into the BSN-DNP... I know several other schools in my area that are doing the same thing. Speak to an adviser or the director of the program you are interested in.

I will post some helpful links to help you understand the DNP better. Let me find them...

Don't panic...for one thing, the DNP is not bad....Personally, I would advise just doing BSN to DNP....but that is my opinion. This needs to be your choice. But your instructor clearly does not know what she thinks she does.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

AACN position statement and FAQ

AACN - DNP - FAQs

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

To add to the above, I'd not seek any more advice from that particular instructor. I've heard a lot of misinformation about the DNP, but what you've described, SydneyJo1, is just off-the-wall.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
To add to the above, I'd not seek any more advice from that particular instructor. I've heard a lot of misinformation about the DNP, but what you've described, SydneyJo1, is just off-the-wall.

lol...agreed!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Wow, SydneyJo...to put it bluntly, your instructor gave you a lot of crap!!! As the others said, there is no mandate for the DNP, and it's unlikely to happen in the next few years. And just to let you know, I had a BS in another field, did a Direct Entry NP program (I essentially have a ADN/MSN), and lived to tell about it!! I very quickly found gainful employment as an NP despite only having RN experience through my school clinicals. I LOVE being an NP...I think I make good money, and I have regular schedule that I probably would not be able to have as an RN. I went to school full time, worked part time, and my children did not go unfed, unclothed, or unwashed. It's hard, but doable. You sound like a great candidate for an NP program. Follow your dream and apply to those programs. I think you'd be a real asset to the profession.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

Thank you so much, everyone! You've made me feel so much better. I've wanted to become an NP for so long, and I felt like I got kicked in the stomach after my conversation with her. What a relief to hear that her take on things wasn't completely accurate. I appreciate the feedback so much!! :)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You're welcome and good luck. Don't let one individual get in the way of your dreams.

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Talk to some more people, you just happened upon a naysayer for your first conversation and she was happy to get on her personal soapbox, no matter how tilted on a cliff it may be. You will get a different perspective after you have spoken to others and done more extensive research. Good luck with your plans.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree that you need to talk with some others.

Some, but not all instructors are not clinically current and that may mean that their ideas are slightly skewed.

I would also contact your state's advanced practice organization and go to a meeting or two.

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I just graduated from an MSN program that took 3 years to complete part time. I worked full time at one job, part time at another, studied around ball games, school, work, husband, and kids. I have a job that pays well above what I was making as an RN, plus my schedule is 4 days a week, 8 to 5, no holidays and you can't do that very well as an RN in a hospital. Do not let this instructor keep you from pursuing your dream. I ran into a instructor like that 14 years ago at Belmont university in Tennessee. I took courses and was convinced that I did not have what it took to be an NP. The instructors were so negative... I stopped coursework and returned to work as a full time RN. Since then I have completed my program through another university and I am looking forward to doing what I have wanted to do for the past 14 years. Don't let one person's perspective stop you from doing what you want to do.

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I would say that most of that is BS. I'm in a NP program right now and actually I'm happy I'm doing it prior to the DNP being "required" because I'll be grandfathered in and I'm not yet convinced I want to do the DNP. Ever. I'm all for education, but until I see proof that NPs are going to be compensated for that education (as in, making more than PAs who are required to have a Masters) I don't see the point.

Besides, the position paper that recommended RN education to be a minimum of BSN came across YEARS ago and as we all know, plenty of good schools graduate wonderful ADNs every year! I'll believe it when I see it...

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