Can you really become an NP in 4 years from scratch?

[J-Swish]

I met an NP earlier today and he was only 24 years old. He told me he went from an accountant to an NP in 4 years. I was completely shocked. He must've really had his game on. However, I'm wondering...how do you do all that in 4 years?

We didn't talk much and I don't think I'll see him around anytime soon, but he did tell me he started with the good 'ol ADN.

This means:

Year 1 - 1st year of ADN program

Year 2 - 2nd year of ADN program

Year 3 - RN-BSN or RN-MSN in 1 year or less

Year 4 - NP in 1 year-1.5 years?

I wish I had asked him which schools he attended to...

[bsnanat2]

I'd like an NP to have some good basic nursing skills, experience which you get in the real world after nursing school. I feel the same way about new PA's, education but lacking in background. It doesn't matter how fast you get the paperwork done. That kind of self-confidence is scary!

I reasoned the same way until I spoke to some NP's, all of which have many years of experience in the RN role and the NP role. What I have come to realize is that the roles are different. Yes, the right kind of RN experience is helpful, but it seems that it is not as important as some would like it to be. That thinking appears to be similar to the "everyone needs med-surg" thought. In speaking with them, they spoke of NP's who kept thinking like RN's and this is problematic. The individual seems to be the key. Some do need years of RN experience while others do not. I hope that you are an NP or NP student, otherwise it sounds like the ADN nurses who speak ill of BSN programs. Things change. If the person isn't any good at it, they won't last long. Hard work, dedication and proper training allows the one who accomplish this the right to at least give it a go. The biggest hurdle to NP's is not MD's, but other RN's. I don't have a MSN or DNP but I applaud those who do whether I ever get one or not.

[tryingtohaveitall]

I am a PNP student, 3 quarters left til graduation and I can't imagine starting out as an NP with little/no bedside nursing experience. I have seen the ones in my classes with much less experience definitely have a harder time in our PNP program. There is so much I have learned over the years at the bedside.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

1 year ABSN program

1 year working as an RN

2 years to get the MSN, NP

Done in 4 years.