[Wen83]

I'm thinking about becoming an FNP in the future. I have 2 semesters left before getting a BSN and would like to get some experience before applying to grad school. I'm curious to know what area of nursing some of you worked in before becoming an FNP. Is it more useful to being, for example, an ER nurse, pediatric nurse, or working in urgent care to begin with? Does it even matter?

Thanks!
Wendy

[sirI]

Originally Posted by NurseWendy

I'm thinking about becoming an FNP in the future. I have 2 semesters left before getting a BSN and would like to get some experience before applying to grad school. I'm curious to know what area of nursing some of you worked in before becoming an FNP. Is it more useful to being, for example, an ER nurse, pediatric nurse, or working in urgent care to begin with? Does it even matter?

Thanks!
Wendy

Hello, Wendy,

I think the individual seeking experience to prepare for NP should try at least for the ER. The critical care units are good, too. I worked in OB, peds, CCU/ICU and ER before hand while preparing for my NP career. I had experience in Med-Surg and just added a little more with these.

But, you will find the answer to this will vary amongst every other NP you talk with especially here. My experience was over the course of a few years and many do not agree you need any experience beforehand.

Good luck.

[CardioTrans]

I am not an NP yet, but in the FNP program. I have experience in Med/Surg, ICU/CCU, Home health and Hospice, and the OR. I had been a nurse for 10 years before applying to grad school. Im not saying that you need 10 yrs, just that I did.

Good luck to you!

[Softballmama]

I'm also in an FNP program currently. I have been an RN for 8 years, most of which have been in the ER. I feel that so far, my clinical background has helped me since I've dealt with all age groups from infants to geriatrics. In my patho. class, we do cover different disease processes that affect the different age groups, so I feel that my basic understanding of all the different age ranges and body systems have been beneficial.

[smelendez]

I know for CRNA programs they REQUIRE at least 1 yr critical care.
Do NP programs require any type of experience? I understand it is highly recommended...but could someone go straight through from ADN, to BSN to NP without actually working as a nurse?

[sirI]

Originally Posted by smelendez

I know for CRNA programs they REQUIRE at least 1 yr critical care.
Do NP programs require any type of experience? I understand it is highly recommended...but could someone go straight through from ADN, to BSN to NP without actually working as a nurse?

Hello, smelendez,

There are programs that allow the RN entrance with no experience at all. You will see many here who have done this.

But, IMHO, I advise the RN to have at least 1, if not 2 years experience in the specialty areas, especially ER and ICU/CCU. It depends upon the individual.

But, that is only my 2 cents worth.

[lalaxton]

In my NP program there were those who had just graduated from a BSN program. They definitely had a much harder time than those who had at least a few years of experience as an RN.

[smelendez]

I saw frontiers website and they require 1 year RN experience, but extensive experience in other healthcare field would be considered.
Would a paramedic of 8+ years have much problem going straight to an NP program without any RN experience. I know the RN experience must be valuable but my previous paramedic experience in the prehospital setting should also be beneficial.

What do you guys think?

[sirI]

Originally Posted by smelendez

I saw frontiers website and they require 1 year RN experience, but extensive experience in other healthcare field would be considered.
Would a paramedic of 8+ years have much problem going straight to an NP program without any RN experience. I know the RN experience must be valuable but my previous paramedic experience in the prehospital setting should also be beneficial.

What do you guys think?

Hello, smelendez,

As long as you have your RN even without RN experience, you can enter an NP program. And, yes, many who have experience as paramedic are considered. Just check out the many programs and see what's out there for you!

[prairienp]

Originally Posted by siri

Hello, smelendez,

As long as you have your RN even without RN experience, you can enter an NP program. And, yes, many who have experience as paramedic are considered. Just check out the many programs and see what's out there for you!

I have been on FNP admissions committees for the past 10 years. We have yet to admit one student without RN experience. Several have tried, we allow them to take graduate courses and reapply the following year. ED experience is fine, community health is better. The more autonomy as a practicing RN the better. Previous paramedic experience is a positive when associated with previous RN experience.