Pursuing nurse practioner degree without RN experience

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi everyone, this is my first thread. I just passed my NCLEX in mid september and is wondering if it's a good idea to pursue nurse practitioner degree without RN experience? Also, how's the market out there for nurse practitioners?

I don't think you need it depending on specialty. If you work in labor & delivery and plan to work there as an NP, it's no necessary, but it would definitely help. If you prefer primary care, working on an oncology unit may not give you as much experience as a scribe or emergency department RN. Think about other providers. Do they require RN experience-MD, DO, PA? There's just a huge bias and stigma nurses place on those who do not have the "right" experience. Also, one may be a great RN, but not so great NP or vise versa. Don't stress over it too much :)

Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.
I don't think you need it depending on specialty. If you work in labor & delivery and plan to work there as an NP, it's no necessary, but it would definitely help. If you prefer primary care, working on an oncology unit may not give you as much experience as a scribe or emergency department RN. Think about other providers. Do they require RN experience-MD, DO, PA? There's just a huge bias and stigma nurses place on those who do not have the "right" experience. Also, one may be a great RN, but not so great NP or vise versa. Don't stress over it too much :)

Thank! There is an undue bias against us.

Specializes in med/surg 1 year, ER 5 years.

I feel like a few people in this discussion do not realize that MDs and DOs get literally 1000s of hours of training before they become independent practitioners. It's called residency and it consists of at least 80hrs per week, 49 weeks per year for at least 3 years! That's not even considering the 100s of hours logged during the last 2 years of med school. I can't speak for PAs but it is my understanding that they also must be trained for 100s of hours prior to graduating and they aren't even as independent as NPs are.

No one on this forum seams to be trying to discourage the OP from becoming an NP...I think it's great that he/she wants to do it! All we are saying is that it is wiser and safer for the OP to get a few years of clinical experience before becoming the sole practitioner responsible for treating disease processes that he/she has never seen in person.

Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.

I think some people are unaware of the hours of clinical hours a student NP has to have before becoming independent practitioners.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I think nurse anesthesia requirements get it right-the vast majority of them require one year of experience-no more and no less. It gives you time to apply and begin to refine the knowledge and skills learned in nursing school, plus other skills not necessarily acquired in school like time management and intuition. More than one year may or may not be an asset, some nurses with 30 years of experience have essentially repeated their rookie year 30 times, others have grown, others have just reiterated poor patterns and habits, others have harbored disdain for new nurses-especially those that seek advance practice and/or non-bedside careers.

So in short, I say if possible, work that one year in LTC. After that, work prn or part time as you pursue graduate study. You will have a few years under your belt by graduation, which will make you more competitive and possibly advance your skill/knowledge base.

Best wishes! Keep us posted!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm a seasoned APN (6 years) and do not have personal experience with APNs that don't have years of experience.

That said, the argument that as an NP student you get enough hours to be clinically competent is hogwash. My first program was 700 hours and my second program was 600 hours.

Even with 1300 hours AND 14 years experience, I was just as green as they come - lol.

Even when you graduate with your nice and shiny MSN and certifications, you are beginning again as a novice.

Specializes in FNP: Urgent Care & Primary Care; RN: Med-Surg.

So even with experience you had to learn your job. Just like everyone else does. So why look down on someone's training as hogwash?

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