[Nursing P.]

Does RN experience make NP school easier? Are there any NPs that worked as an RN for like 10 years and found NP school easy because of there extensive experience? I want to make it easy on myself.

[DonaldJ]

If it makes it easier for Med school, I would imagine it would make it easier for NP school. I don't know from personal experience, but I've read several stories about RN's who excelled in Med school because of their experience.

Of course, NP school isn't *exactly* the same, but I'm sure it won't hurt.

[traumaRUs]

I've been an RN for almost 12 years and I haven't found CNS school too hard. I think a lot depends on your experience. For instance, in one of my classes is a nurse who hasn't got much clinical experience and she is struggling. I have 10 years in a busy ER and 1 year in ICU and I haven't had issues.

[sirI]

Check out this thread in the NP forum about this very topic:

NP with No Desire for RN?

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by Nursing Pimp

Does RN experience make NP school easier? Are there any NPs that worked as an RN for like 10 years and found NP school easy because of there extensive experience? I want to make it easy on myself.

Well, nurse practioners are advanced nurses. Of course nursing experience is going to make NP school easier. What many nursing students don't understand is that the learning curve really begins AFTER graduation, during that first year on the job. While I know there are BSN-MSN programs out there, I don't think it's wise to do them full-time. Working full-time and going to school parrt time would probably be a better idea, so that you coule be growing as a nurse as you train to be a nurse practitioner.

[christvs]

I really think it is a great idea to have at least a little (if not a lot)experience as an RN first before going to NP school. However, the other day I read an article in "The Nurse Practitioner" journal (either the Dec. '05 or Jan. '06 issue) about how physicians thought students who went from RN school straight through to NP school had better NP clinical skills than RNs with many years experience before going to NP school. The only thing is-the article never speculated on WHY this might be so. Anyhow, I thought it was interesting to throw out there, even if I don't really agree with it.
-Christine

[zenman]

Originally Posted by christvs

I really think it is a great idea to have at least a little (if not a lot)experience as an RN first before going to NP school. However, the other day I read an article in "The Nurse Practitioner" journal (either the Dec. '05 or Jan. '06 issue) about how physicians thought students who went from RN school straight through to NP school had better NP clinical skills than RNs with many years experience before going to NP school. The only thing is-the article never speculated on WHY this might be so. Anyhow, I thought it was interesting to throw out there, even if I don't really agree with it.
-Christine

Probably because with nursing experience behind you, you don't put up with much c**p from physicians, LOL

[gauge14iv]

Originally Posted by zenman

Probably because with nursing experience behind you, you don't put up with much c**p from physicians, LOL

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking!!!!! Those NP's might be saying "Yes Doctor! Right Away! Here! You can have my chair Doctor!"

[Coolgramma]

As an NP AND PA, with National Certification in both fields, and have been a member of our State NP organization for over 20 years. I will tell you that being an RN FIRST makes a HUGE difference, and significantly depends on what your RN experience has been!!! The best route is a couple years of basic med/surg followed by ER and/or Critical Care nursing...(I had all fo these). It prepares you for the medical level decisions combined with nursing decisions that NP's are responsible for. I don't know even ONE NP who does the "yes sir, no sir" with MD's. NP's work under their own license and malpractice, in COLLABORATION with the MD, NOT supervised by the MD, and can be in private practice!!! PA's work under the license and malpractice of the physician and legally, must be supervised by the MD. Check your state rules and regulations for specifics.

PS I have the PA certification because years ago when I graduated from my NP program, my state had not ammended the Nurse Practice Act to include the expanded practice of nurses in ANY field...it is no longer possible to get the PA certification by challenging the national exams. I maintain the NP certification as my primary credential.