RN experience before ACNP

[lmarti10]

how many years of RN experience/ ICU experience do you recommend before returning to school? I want to go back for acute care np, and i've been working in the SICU for a year now.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Depends on how you feel about your own readiness. If you feel that you have a great idea of how acute care services are run, I think you may start with the training now while you acquire more experience.

Where are you interested in attending? In some schools, you could easily get in with one year of acute care experience but in some the competition between applicants can make it tougher for less experienced RN's to get in.

[travelea]

It's a very personal choice. It's nice to have some experience under your belt... I would think the more comfortable you are in your nursing role, the easier the transition will be to NP. I waited a while, but others start much sooner and have done great.

Look at some of the schools' websites you are interested in, as some may have a minimum number of years you have to practice as an RN before applying. Also see if you can shadow an NP around your unit for the day (if your hospital employs them.. if not a PA or another mid-level provider). That may help guide your decision. Best of luck !:)