In NP school with 1 yr's experience?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Specializes in Psychiatric NP.

Hi everyone, My name is Julie and I just graduated with my BSN from the University of Texas at Austin. I'm starting work in a telemetry unit and plan to work for 1 year and then try to apply for NP school. My undergrad GPA was 3.6 and GRE scores are pending. I've known I wanted to be a family NP ever since I started nursing school and can't wait to get started!

However, I've heard many discouraging words from admissions saying that most applicants need several years of experience and in ICU settings preferred.

I'm wondering if there are any of you who entered an MS program with less than 2 yr's experience and what school you're in? Any advice on good schools to check out? I'm open to any areas along the east or west coast. And also, what's a "competetive" GRE score? Thanks so much! I really appreciate your input!!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Hi Julie. I graduated with my BSN in May 2005 and after passing NCLEX and becoming an RN that summer I began working on a med/surg/tele unit in July 2005 (I still work there now). I knew I wanted to become an adult acute care NP for a long time, so in October 2005 I began studying for the GRE, took the GRE in Dec. 2005 and applied to the one graduate program (UMASS-Worcester) that I wanted to go to, and found out I was accepted in Feb. 2006. I started the NP program there in August 2006 and have felt fine in it. I have now completed 4 classes in the program so far and have received straight As in all of them. I'm taking 4 more classes this semester and have As in all of them too, so far. I feel I've always been a fast learner (I graduated from my BSN program with a 3.98 GPA) and my only problem right now is trying to find enough time to balance everything: full-time school, working part time, husband, friends, exercising, etc... I don't understand why grad schools are telling you that you need years of experience working in an ICU when you want to become a Family NP- If you feel comfortable with how you feel as an RN after however many months/years of work, just go with how you feel and keep looking for schools that share your same philosophy. Everyone will have an opinion on this matter but you are the one who ultimately knows yourself and your learning style/speed best. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions/comments. :) Oh & every grad school will have different requirements regarding the GRE exam. Some may not even require that you take it, while others will say you need to achieve a minimum score to enter their program, so find out first. I live in Worcester, MA and have known about UMASS-Worcester Graduate School of Nursing for all my life practically, and I knew it's a great program from hearing so many alumni of the program, so that's why I only applied to that program. So I don't really know very much about other programs. But good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

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