Easier to get hired as RN or specialized NP?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi everyone,

I am going to be starting a BSN/MSN program. I will be getting a BSN and license in 1.5 years but this is a general RN license (not specialized).

Would that make it harder or easier to find a job? Since if you're generalized, you can apply for a plethora of units but a lot of job postings wants a specialized RN with experience in a specific unit only?

Finally, after getting my RN, I will be starting a NP program, most likely family NP? But as the job market is, I feel that there are more opportunities as jobs for RN than NP in general so would harder to find a job as NP than RN?

Or is it possible to become an NP and apply for RN positions and work my way up?

Thank you!

One1, BSN, RN

375 Posts

Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

The beauty of the nursing world is that (in theory) you can work in any area you like, or change from one area to another as you grow as an RN. Nowadays, pretty much every nurse is a "general" nurse fresh out of school. You specialize (maybe for the last time, maybe for the first of many) once you start working in a field. You could try to get work as a new RN in an area you really enjoyed during clinicals, or be completely open-minded and start in whatever area you are able to land a job in. Many new grad nurses have a hard time finding that first position because a lot of employers do not want to spend the time and money to train you, but on the other hand, you come without "bad habits" from other jobs. After a year or two in your job you can see if you like that area or if you'd like to move. Even experienced nurses do not necessarily have specialized experience when they change fields (they will have it from their old specialty, but not the new specialty), but it is usually a bit easier to change fields with SOME/ANY hospital experience under your belt. A lot of NP schools prefer that you get some RN time under your belt before you start NP school and I personally agree with that. That way, you will also feel more confident in your choice of specialization later on. There are always more jobs for nurses than NPs.

Summers3

201 Posts

The beauty of the nursing world is that (in theory) you can work in any area you like, or change from one area to another as you grow as an RN. Nowadays, pretty much every nurse is a "general" nurse fresh out of school. You specialize (maybe for the last time, maybe for the first of many) once you start working in a field. You could try to get work as a new RN in an area you really enjoyed during clinicals, or be completely open-minded and start in whatever area you are able to land a job in. Many new grad nurses have a hard time finding that first position because a lot of employers do not want to spend the time and money to train you, but on the other hand, you come without "bad habits" from other jobs. After a year or two in your job you can see if you like that area or if you'd like to move. Even experienced nurses do not necessarily have specialized experience when they change fields (they will have it from their old specialty, but not the new specialty), but it is usually a bit easier to change fields with SOME/ANY hospital experience under your belt. A lot of NP schools prefer that you get some RN time under your belt before you start NP school and I personally agree with that. That way, you will also feel more confident in your choice of specialization later on. There are always more jobs for nurses than NPs.

Dear One1,

Thank you for taking the time to share your advice. I am planning on getting licensed and working as an RN before starting NP or at the very least, work and do NP program part time. So hopefully that would work. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it! :)

One1, BSN, RN

375 Posts

Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

You're welcome, good luck on your path!

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