Transitioning from NS to NP (how difficult was the coursework)

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 26, 2007

I really had no difficulty at all for I had several years of RN experience prior to the NP program.

Others will come along and offer input, too.

VivaRN · Jun 26, 2007

I started grad school after about 6 months as an RN (& still working). Haven't found it more difficult.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 27, 2007

In comparison to your nursing level of education (undergraduate) how much of a difference in difficulty did you experience moving up the ladder to getting your masters as a NP?
I am very interesting in pursuing my masters in N.P. after graduation and would like all the insight possible!! thanks in advance all you NPs

I don't think the coursework in grad school is harder than undergraduate work, but I would say it is time-consuming and demanding. I started my NP program after being an RN for one year and I have received straight As in all 9 graduate courses I have completed so far-and am really enjoying and learning the material well. I can't wait to start my first NP clinical in August. Good luck. :)

mom and nurse · Jun 27, 2007

Hi - I had worked a year as an RN before I went back to grad school. I continued working about 20 hours a week. However, I found that as i entered my first real clinical semester, I was not able to keep up my 20 hours a week and the amount of clinical hours required, along with the massive amount of reading, papers, tests, quizzes etc. that is required in my Adult NP program. I don't think it was more difficult than undergraduate work, just very time consuming.

So now, I'm a PRN nurse and go in only sometimes on the weekend as I prepare to enter my last semester in the fall.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 27, 2007

I did grad school after 10 years experience and it went very smoothly. Papers are time-consuming, no getting around that. Good luck.

BrandiBooh · Jun 27, 2007

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE FEEDBACK!

So, would you guys suggest working first as an R.N. for a few years before pursing my masters? I know some programs require that but the one I am interested in does not..It seems the transition is a little more smooth when you have been working as an R.N. for a few years...

I take in account the posting saying that clinical hrs becomes overwhelming if you try to work full time as an R.N. as well...

Maybe only working part-time as an RN? The program I am interested in is part-time anyways so that may work...

Trauma Columnist · Jun 27, 2007

I worked full time getting my BSN (I was an ADN grad), MSN and post-MSN degrees. Had to, no choice - doable but busy.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 27, 2007

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE FEEDBACK!
So, would you guys suggest working first as an R.N. for a few years before pursing my masters? I know some programs require that but the one I am interested in does not..It seems the transition is a little more smooth when you have been working as an R.N. for a few years...
I take in account the posting saying that clinical hrs becomes overwhelming if you try to work full time as an R.N. as well...
Maybe only working part-time as an RN? The program I am interested in is part-time anyways so that may work...

Honestly, it totally depends on the program you're looking to get into, and also on you-your comfort level and how quickly you learn. Some say you should work as an RN for several years and then apply to grad school, but everyone is different. I only worked as an RN for a year and then started grad school and have been at the top of my class with a 4.0 GPA and can really say I am learning and retaining the material well. I should say a word about working during school too-again, it is different for everyone and everyone has a different situation (kids, family, bills, etc..) I worked 24 hours/week for my entire first year of my NP program and I was a full time student taking 4 classes per semester. It was hard to juggle it all, but doable. However now I'm starting my clinical year this August, so as of August 1 I will only work per diem about 8-16 hours/week....if you can afford it, it definitely helps to cut down your work hours due to the demands of clinical, classes, studying time, etc...