UMSL DNP Program Fall 2019

[nicu_RN88]

Hi everyone! Long time follower, first time poster. I have learned so much from All Nurses in the past and this is such a wonderful forum!

I am living in St Louis and have decided it's time to go back to Grad school. I graduated nursing school in 2013 and my BSN in 2016. Here in St Louis, there is only one school (not counting the online "for profit" schools) that offers the FNP program and it's UMSL. It's a DNP program, no one is even offering the MSN program for FNP track in the area. It's also very affordable compared to schools in other areas that I've researched. I've read so many posts about the DNP being a "fluff" degree since you can practice with a MSN and the DNP doesn't give you any more "career power" so to speak. I've already applied to UMSL and I'm waiting to see if I got in.

What I'd like to get input on is, will the DNP be a complete waste of time and money? When looking at other MSN programs, its only 2 semesters longer than the MSN would be. One of my biggest concerns is the DNP project--it seems so daunting and I've even seen that people have to take out grants for this project??!

I would be more than happy just to get a MSN, its just not offered here. I could move back home (to Florida) and go back to school there, but I'd have to wait a year to gain residency for tuition purposes, so it pushes back my timeline significantly. Any input is appreciated! I've talked to a couple of my friends in DNP programs and they have essentially said, yes, it seems like a waste of time and is never ending, but at least I'll NEVER have to go back to school again.

[JDPsychNP]

Did you end up starting school? I start in August at UMSL for PMHNP.

[nicu_RN88]

I did and I love it! I’m so happy I went through with it.

[JDPsychNP]

Thats so good to hear and encouraging!!

[rn897622, BSN, RN]

Hi all!

I am interested in applying to UMSL BSN-DNP program. I was looking for information regarding the required years of experience as an RN-- but it is not explicitly mentioned under the admissions criteria. I was wondering if you guys perhaps knew?

Thank you in advance!

[JDPsychNP]

They do not require experience ?

[rn897622, BSN, RN]

@JDPsychNP

Thanks for your response!
Did you end up doing the program? If so, how are you liking it? Are there people within your cohort that have less than a year of experience?

Just trying to get a general idea of what my candidacy would be like in relevance to others.

[JDPsychNP]

I withdrew bc I did more research n am anticipating psych nps to b oversaturated I the future.. I don't want to spend all that time n money n end up making the same I am now... but if I did go to school, I would choose them.