What path shall I choose?

[JD_USD]

Hi everyone! (I was told to repost in this forum to get more solid advice.)

I'm 21 and am married to a beautiful wife and father of our 2yr old daughter ( with another baby on the way! ) I'm about to enter my senior year in completing a B.A. in Biochemistry at the University of San Diego.

I've decided that a career in nursing is for me. Specifically, I have an interest in becoming a FNP and one day opening my own practice. However, I'm concerned as to the path I should choose to obtaining my goal(s) as an FNP. Initially I thought doing an MEPN program somewhere in Cali would be perfect since I'm not an RN and obviously have a bachelor's in another field. However, many MEPN programs here are switching to being two year programs that end with a "clinical practitioner" advanced degree and expect you do do post-master's work between 1-2 years more for becoming FNPs.

My question is: Instead of spending 3-4 years to get the equivalent of a master's degree, would I be better served getting a DNP instead? What would be the Pros/Cons, especially considering the latest talk about a DNP becoming the standard degree for Nurse Practitioners??

[golden-hair]

Hey--sorry I can't help, but I am trying to get info on the path I should take to become an np aswell. Is a DNP a Doctorit program, and how much longer does it take? I heard that np's won't be required to get their doctorit for at least 5 yrs if they even decide to make that a standard. What do you know about that?

Thanx!! and good luck!

[rockybeanz]

Hi, im from San Francisco, and i am currently looking into Samuell Merrit's ELMSN for the FNP track. Im exactly interested in what you want to do JD USD user. I have a b.a in sociology and could not think of anything else to do with that passion than become a FNP. Go to their website and tell me what you think? its in oakland california. supposedly a 3 1/2 yr program but after a 1 1/2 yr you can take your rn test and work and finish the program. Sounds good huh?