Need Advice on Route to NP

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kururu16

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Hi, this is my first thread in this forum! I am going to be a 3rd year undergrad student at UCSD. I am interested and am looking into NP as a profession in the future. However, since my university does not offer any nursing programs, I am looking for some advice on what route I should take to get there. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.43 and a science GPA of 3.6 or so. I am working towards a Biology bachelor's degree and have completed most introductory science courses.

Anyways, I have heard of programs like direct-entry MSN and accelerated BSN and such. I've heard things like how direct-entry MSN programs are pricey and that it's usually hard for direct-entry MSN graduates to get jobs due to lack of experience.

I guess my questions are these:
1. which is the best (fastest, most money efficient) route to take to become NP and why? (direct-entry MSN, accelerated BSN and then work as RN for a bit and then applying for NP, or just transferring to another university with BSN program maybe? although I prefer not to do this)
2. do people coming out of direct-entry MSN programs really have less chances at jobs?
3. what kind of experiences should I be getting right now to help my applications? (I'm planning to get CNA training and I am currently volunteering alongside RNs in cancer department of the hospital)
4. are these programs competitive? what kind of grades do I need to be getting to stay competitive?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 🙂
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While we can certainly help you, I would strongly recommend you check out allnurses. They have a much more experienced community in regard to this topic.

1: The most efficient way to do things is a direct program like those offered by Yale, Columbia, and others that give you your nursing degree in a year followed by direct entry into the NP program.

2: Less experience translates to less opportunity in health care, period.

3: CNA is the best experience you could get.

4: Depends on the program. Most require a minimum of a B in all prerequisites and look for a 3.0 or higher, but realistically are snagging candidates with 3.2+ GPAs. Most good NP programs will also require you to take the GRE, though how high of a score you need will vary vastly depending on the program.
 
kururu16 said:
Hi, this is my first thread in this forum! I am going to be a 3rd year undergrad student at UCSD. I am interested and am looking into NP as a profession in the future. However, since my university does not offer any nursing programs, I am looking for some advice on what route I should take to get there. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.43 and a science GPA of 3.6 or so. I am working towards a Biology bachelor's degree and have completed most introductory science courses.

Anyways, I have heard of programs like direct-entry MSN and accelerated BSN and such. I've heard things like how direct-entry MSN programs are pricey and that it's usually hard for direct-entry MSN graduates to get jobs due to lack of experience.

I guess my questions are these:
1. which is the best (fastest, most money efficient) route to take to become NP and why? (direct-entry MSN, accelerated BSN and then work as RN for a bit and then applying for NP, or just transferring to another university with BSN program maybe? although I prefer not to do this)
2. do people coming out of direct-entry MSN programs really have less chances at jobs?
3. what kind of experiences should I be getting right now to help my applications? (I'm planning to get CNA training and I am currently volunteering alongside RNs in cancer department of the hospital)
4. are these programs competitive? what kind of grades do I need to be getting to stay competitive?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 🙂
Click to expand...

I just graduated from a direct entry NP program. It was an excellent career move, IMO. Let me see if I can answer your questions.

1. I don't know if there is any "best" route. The fastest is a direct entry program. In terms of monetary efficiency, it really depends on the cost of your program, likelihood of getting an RN job while you're in school, etc. I went to a program located in an extremely saturated area where there were very few RN jobs. I'd still say that the majority of my class managed to find an RN position will in NP school... if they wanted one. Some people didn't care to work as an RN. I worked as an RN during my last year and it was stressful to start an RN job while learning my NP role, but it made a lot of financial sense for me. If you do a slower route (ADN to MSN, BSN to MSN, etc.), you will probably pay less for tuition (maybe not though, depends on the expense of the university). You could also take time off to work as an RN if you want (though you can do that in most direct entry NP programs). Also, if you go a slower route remember to calculate the year(s) of lost NP income. Keep in mind that there are a lot of scholarships for NPs right now. Especially if you go to a large university that has research/grant funding for its students and if you're interested in doing primary care/psychiatry/helping the underserved.
2. Not at all. The NP market is absurdly hot right now. I was offered a job the night before I graduated. We graduated about 1 month ago and people are getting jobs left and right. It's crazy. Just make sure you get a job that is going to train you up/supervise you closely for 3-6 months. Or you can always do a residency if you don't feel ready.
3. Volunteering with RNs is a great move. Foreign language skills are always a great thing to develop, especially Spanish.
4. Yes. Some of the programs are more competitive than others. My program was extremely competitive my year (~10% admission), but was less competitive the next year (~18% admission). You just kind of roll the dice when you apply. Just make sure you get the strongest grades you can, good GRE scores, and apply broadly.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions.
 
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kururu16 said:
Hi, this is my first thread in this forum! I am going to be a 3rd year undergrad student at UCSD. I am interested and am looking into NP as a profession in the future. However, since my university does not offer any nursing programs, I am looking for some advice on what route I should take to get there. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.43 and a science GPA of 3.6 or so. I am working towards a Biology bachelor's degree and have completed most introductory science courses.

Anyways, I have heard of programs like direct-entry MSN and accelerated BSN and such. I've heard things like how direct-entry MSN programs are pricey and that it's usually hard for direct-entry MSN graduates to get jobs due to lack of experience.

I guess my questions are these:
1. which is the best (fastest, most money efficient) route to take to become NP and why? (direct-entry MSN, accelerated BSN and then work as RN for a bit and then applying for NP, or just transferring to another university with BSN program maybe? although I prefer not to do this)
2. do people coming out of direct-entry MSN programs really have less chances at jobs?
3. what kind of experiences should I be getting right now to help my applications? (I'm planning to get CNA training and I am currently volunteering alongside RNs in cancer department of the hospital)
4. are these programs competitive? what kind of grades do I need to be getting to stay competitive?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 🙂
Click to expand...
I would suggest doing the accelerated BSN program first, if you want to go the NP route. The undergraduate nursing will help tremendously with the NP program. If you want a direct entry healthcare program from undergrad, I would go to PA school. Just get some shadowing and volunteer work.
 
kururu16 said:
Hi, this is my first thread in this forum! I am going to be a 3rd year undergrad student at UCSD. I am interested and am looking into NP as a profession in the future. However, since my university does not offer any nursing programs, I am looking for some advice on what route I should take to get there. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.43 and a science GPA of 3.6 or so. I am working towards a Biology bachelor's degree and have completed most introductory science courses.

Anyways, I have heard of programs like direct-entry MSN and accelerated BSN and such. I've heard things like how direct-entry MSN programs are pricey and that it's usually hard for direct-entry MSN graduates to get jobs due to lack of experience.

I guess my questions are these:
1. which is the best (fastest, most money efficient) route to take to become NP and why? (direct-entry MSN, accelerated BSN and then work as RN for a bit and then applying for NP, or just transferring to another university with BSN program maybe? although I prefer not to do this)
2. do people coming out of direct-entry MSN programs really have less chances at jobs?
3. what kind of experiences should I be getting right now to help my applications? (I'm planning to get CNA training and I am currently volunteering alongside RNs in cancer department of the hospital)
4. are these programs competitive? what kind of grades do I need to be getting to stay competitive?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 🙂
Click to expand...

From someone who was in your shoes and then had a doctoral degree before they thought nursing seemed like a good idea:

I say find a good associate's degree nursing program (technical schools have them and they are usually cheap!). You will be able to get your associate's degree RN in around 2 years and can probably work part time somewhere. Then the AD RN to BSN programs are usually around 1 year of online classes and you could be working as an RN while completing this and many hospitals want magnet status so they will probably pay for your BSN degree. Then you can keep working as a nurse and take 2 years to get your MSN. Quickest route? No, but it will get you plenty of experience and be cheap.

I looked into the fast track BSN -> FNP programs for health science bachelor degree holders. They were competitive to get into (I had a doctoral degree and 2 years healthcare experience so I would have slid into a slot pretty easily) even at the state schools, but it would have been impossible to work during the 3 years of the program (most do not allow you to work even once you get the BSN after the first year because it's compressed almost like PA school). I just couldn't afford it financially with current student loans.

It all really depends on what you want to do. If you don't mind taking on more debt and want the fastest track then the BSN -> FNP fast track 3 year program for health science majors would be your ticket if you can find a cheap state school and don't mind another 3 years of no income. If you want experience and a cheaper, but longer route (and experience as others have said in healthcare is what matters) then do the AD Nursing to BSN to FNP route or bite the bullet and apply to a state college BSN program and almost all your credits will transfer so you will probably just need to take the nursing courses which means you might be able to work as a nursing assistant or some other type of job part time.
 
Just thought I'd say that the vast majority of direct entry NP programs allow people to work as RNs during the NP portion. Even programs that "advise" against it, still have a lot of people working as RNs. It's the norm for people to work at least a little as an RN during the NP program, and that definitely helps with costs. Also, if you got to a large school there will be significant scholarships/grants.
 
Have you looked into PA? You are on track for PA school. Just need some HCE and volunteering.
 
TheEarDoc said:
And have less independence in terms of practicing in many states.

Now if you want to do more specialties like surgery the yes PA is a great route to go.
Click to expand...

The independence thing I think is more of a danger to patients than a good thing but having a strong lobby helped achieve that goal...nothing to do with clinical skills.
 
wutthechris said:
So...administration?
Click to expand...
no I mean acute care nurse prac and CRNA,...... not admin(for the most part). Them qualifying as admin is up to the hospital or place of work, it isn't guaranteed
 
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