Thinking of taking courses non-matric for FNP

[NYNewGrad]

I'm a recent BSN graduate and very much interested in going for FNP. I know that the longer i push off starting an NP prgram, the harder it will be for me to give it my undivided attention.

Obviously NP programs want students to have experience working in the field before they start.

Queston is this - would it make sense for me to start taking a course or two as a non-matric this coming spring while i work? if so, what courses would be the most "standard", meaning that it would be easily transferable if need be?

I'm thinking maybe I should see if I can take nursing research... what do you guys think?

[icugirl33]

I'm a new graduate (5/05) and I will be starting graduate school in the spring (1/06). I found out last week that I was admitted. The courses required before starting clinicals are advance pharmocology, advance patho, adv assessment, adv research, theory & culture, and there is one more I can't think of right now. I think most schools will allow you to take some of these courses even as a non degree student.

[AlexCCRN]

Obtain the curriculum sequence for the program your most likely to attend. Start in on any of the 1st year courses that don't require matriculation. As for experience, it's becoming more common place for new BS RNs to be admitted and obtain NP status. Realize though that the entry point for a new NP with less nursing experience may be different than that for a mature RN with years of diverse nursing accomplishment. IMHO, I'd keep on trucking while the coals are still hot and the knowledge is fresh in the head.