NP w/no desire for RN?

Specialties NP Nursing Q/A

Well, not so much NO desire...but are there any NP's out there that wanted to become (and had their sights set on being an NP from day 1) an NP with no real 'drive' to be an RN first? My cousin is finishing up her RN-MSN program and never really wanted to become an RN, but she really wanted to become an NP, so she went the RN route to become an NP (which I know you have to do).

I know this is somewhat rare, but wondering are there any other NP's out there that looked at RN as kinda pre-NP school/clinical stuff in order to become an NP? Like, they may not be real thrilled with what they are doing (RN) but they know they have to do it in order to become an NP. Keep in mind I'm not saying you would hate being an RN or hate RN's or anything to that affect, but you dream has been to become an NP and RN school/work is a sort of necessary 'not the most enthusiastic' hurdle?

I'm thrilled to have chosen my particular path. That is, to go back to school at 39 for my ADN, become licensed, and enter an RN to MSN program at an excellent school. I want to become an Adult NP, working in an office with a doctor, most notably one who specializes in the treatment of tick-borne disease. I know they're out there; I see one!

I respect and am in awe of floor nurses. I just happen to be interested solely in the above-mentioned tract.

I have health challenges, and I'm approaching middle age. I have other degrees. I want to get where I want to go in an expedient manner, but I trust that my life experience and future experience in the ADN program will enable me to be a stellar NP. Actually, the school believes this is possible, even for those without my life experience!

I could take a DE path, but I'm more comfortable having some nursing background before entering NP school. I'm sure there are fine NP's who were DE students, though.

To each his own!

krisssy, it really isn't the fact anyone doesn't understand and/or care. The fact is, you have an opportunity to work as an RN to gain the experience. You should take it. IF that's what you are wanting to do. Work med-surg if you can. If not, take a position in another area of nursing.

I don't think anyone here is bashing you specifically.

This is a thread about those in "general" not wanting RN experience before becoming an NP. It isn't about one "specific" individual.

Siri, you are right. I realize that know one is bashing me. I just wanted to explain how my case is somewhat different, being 59, graduating in 1969 and having no experience. I do tend to take things personally (and working on that) but not this time. Thanks for caring!.

Krisssy

I have applied to an accelerated BA/BS -> BSN program, planning to start in January 07. I'm 47 and male, BTW, and can't wait to get started on the prereqs...... Questions, questions!!

Hey, don't call yourself Old Guy! You're not old!!!!

(I'm turning 49 next week .... ugh)

Hey, don't call yourself Old Guy! You're not old!!!!

(I'm turning 49 next week .... ugh)

Thanks, but my kids keep cracking jokes around the "Old Guy". No sweat...I plan to be working for a long time.

Wow. I haven't read the entire thread, but what I have read is really turning me off to nursing. I want to be a NP, and am applying to direct entry programs, however it seems like I'd be entering a field full of bitterness and competition. Shouldn't the experienced nurses be helping out those who are strugging to make it directly out of grad school instead of berating them for having no experience? They're getting their advanced degrees earlier and will accumulate their experience just like everyone else.

I can understand both sides. But geez...the competition and anger of this thread makes me a little sick.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello, meagain716 and welcome to allnurses.com and the np forum

bear in mind, many of the members come here to vent. therefore, you cannot base your decision from a message board to consider nursing or not. must be based in real time/real life/tangible people.

you will find differing opinions regarding rn experience and the role of the apn.

In response to the last post...I understand your desire to accelerate your career and I wish you good luck. However, I think that a NP is better served getting their nursing degree.......working as an RN and once they have that down getting their NP. I think while it may be perceived as bitterness, it is really advice from those who are really nurses first.

It's a stick situation overall and it shouldn't discourage you from nursing. It should really help you to understand that nursing is a practice first. It's not just a career stop along the way.

For me I look at the accelerated programs as a way for the university's to make money and sell the dream that you will be able to truly practice as an NP and make thoughtful wise decisions. I'm not sure that is always the case.

Good luck to you no matter what path you chose.

Wow. I haven't read the entire thread, but what I have read is really turning me off to nursing. I want to be a NP, and am applying to direct entry programs, however it seems like I'd be entering a field full of bitterness and competition. Shouldn't the experienced nurses be helping out those who are strugging to make it directly out of grad school instead of berating them for having no experience? They're getting their advanced degrees earlier and will accumulate their experience just like everyone else.

I can understand both sides. But geez...the competition and anger of this thread makes me a little sick.

Keep in mind it's just a thread, and most often people come in here to say things they wouldn't normally say in person for whatever reason. It's not really like this in the real world. I went straight through from BSN to MSN, and in fact convinced the MSN program to accept me without the 1 year required RN experience. I ended up dropping out and getting it for other reasons anyway, but the point is it doesn't matter what other people think of how you want to get it done. If they stick their noses up at you then stick your finger up at them (your choice which finger) :nono: :rolleyes:

i have to agree with meagain716 vbmenu_register("postmenu_1733506", true); , i have been trying to decide between going into the pa program or accelerated msn. there does seem to be more negativity directed toward those that are leaning toward direct entry msn, than not.

i too have no desire to do bedside nursing, i have worked in hospitals for quite some time, and feel it is a thankless job. i have the highest respect for those nurses that work at the bedside.

take care,

cathy

My plan is also to NP. I am planning to bridge from LPN to RN ,only because I will have to get the RN before the advances nursing .If I could by pass the bridge to RN I would. So I understand completely.I do think the experiance of the RN will be invaluable to my practice though.

Good luck to all.

Huggs

Exitthedragon

Specializes in oncology, surgical stepdown, ACLS & OCN.
GO FOR IT!! Skip the RN time and don't look back. PA's aren't required to "do time" why should nurse practioners be required to do such? Also, something I've noticed as I investigated your question among nurses with varying degrees of experience:

The nurses that climbed their way up the hard way always seemed to think many years of experience were needed prior to becoming an NP. It's almost as if they were thinking, "I went through the punishment, and you should too". Luckily, this type of thought is changing, and these nurses who have worked being miserable with their two year degree for 30 years will soon be retiring. I had the unfortunate experience of being under their grumpy preceptorship during most of my BSN clinicals-- YuK! An interesting sidenote to this: most of these nurses were overweight, ate junk food at work all day, compained incessantly yet never did anything about their complaint, and took smoke-breaks whenever they could. This is the antithesis of what NP's stand for: mind/body holistic healthcare. No wonder these nurses never went past two years education.

Please if I have a medical emergency, I would rather have a PA, or an Md

with me not an NP. I would probably also want an ICU nurse. Most NP's are afraid of bedside nusing, they really need to work side by side with a physician, advanced practice is a different mind set except for a CRNA.

The NP still needs the experience that an RN gathers at the bedside.

Specializes in RN Psychiatry.

Yeah but who said anything about an emergency, maybe some want to work in this area but not most. And as far as needing to work side by side with a physician, that is just simply untrue. some do yes, but many many don't. Most go into community or private practice doing primary care services. Some states do not require any physician collaboration at all. Others like MA where I live its one meeting every 3 months. NP and CNS that work in hospitals have a very different role than those out in the community.

as most nurses that have worked as bedside nurses and then went into homecare or community (at the adn or bsn level) will tell you that being in the community requires a completely different skillset. Research on this has shown that community RN's feel that their time working in a hospital setting impeded their progress in the community because of the difference in autonomy and the lack of the availability of a team or certain equiptment. As far as outcomes of NP/cns primary care, research is showing comparable health and safety outcomes to MDs. In addition surveys and questionaires show that most patients actually report better experiences with NP/CNS's than docs because they feel they are given more time and are more thouroughly evaluated.

I think the need for bedside experience really depends on the setting you wish to work. There is some really interesting research going on about this now. You should check it out. Its pretty interesting.

one last thing... it makes me sad that you would turn your back on nurses and say you wouldn't want to see an NP or CNS. It sounds from your post that there is some sort of jealousy involved. Personally I think bedside nurses are incredible and amazing and extremely smart and knowledgable. Sometimes I get the impression that bedside nurses are projecting their feeling of insecurity about not having an MSN on those who are CNS or NP's because they are afraid that those people think they are "better" in some way. I don't think thats the case at all. I am amazed by all the things that bedside nurses do and will forever have an undying respect for them and their work. I think we need to all support eachother as nurses instead of trying to find ways to undermine eachothers value or competence.

Please if I have a medical emergency, I would rather have a PA, or an Md

with me not an NP. I would probably also want an ICU nurse. Most NP's are afraid of bedside nusing, they really need to work side by side with a physician, advanced practice is a different mind set except for a CRNA.

The NP still needs the experience that an RN gathers at the bedside.

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