Applying for FNP too soon?

[stickit34]

Hello. I am currently working as an RN on a medical-surgical unit. I just received my BSN this past May. In an ideal world, I would like to start graduate school as soon as possible (to get schooling out of the way basically). I am very interested in FNP, but am not sure if it is the best route to go with. Is AGNP better?

Also, am I too young or inexperienced to apply in your opinion? I'm 22 years old and I know I don't have a lot of experience under my belt, but I feel that I would like more experience in the advanced practice level because that is where I want to be and practice. I also only have a GPA of 3.2, but I am planning to take the GREs.

I don't know. I'm a hot mess haha. Opinions anyone? Thank you so much.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Boston FNP- are you suggesting that it takes on average 5 years to get an FNP position or am I misreading your post? Thanks ahead of time for clarifying!

Oh goodness no.

Most NPs need to renew their certification every five years; in order to renew you need to have at least 1,000 practice hours in advanced practice. So once you pass your boards that timer starts counting down. If you consider 1,000 hours is about a half-year of full time work, and it takes about 6 months to get a job and get credentialed, a fresh NP has about four years to find a job and start working full time just to renew without retest.

Basically if you get your NP and decide not to work in advanced practice right away then you need to have a plan for the next 4-5 years.

[zeus&lincoln]

Gotcha, that makes much more sense! I was thinking that I've never heard of that before hence the need for clarification. Thanks!

[meraki86]

I currently work in a cardiac ICU at a children's hospital and am already considering my options for an advanced practice degree. I too, like the idea of starting early. My future goals are to work in a clinic setting (preferably remaining in pediatrics). I guess my question is when should I consider applying to school? I just finished my GN residency and would like at least a year of experience under my belt but if I can start sooner I'd love to. Also should I apply as a PNP or an FNP?

[tmitchsork]

I was accepted into UTMB AGNP program with only 10 months of experience at the time of the application. So I guess trying pays off.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

as along as you keep working even if you have to cut down hours, it should be fine

[BiotoBSNtoFNP]

I graduated from my BSN program in march 2013 (previously had a bs in biology) when i was 23. I landed a job in june 2013 and applied for my fnp basically right after my bsn and started fnp in sept! I now have about 9 months of rn experience and i think as long as u are working to gain experience during ur program, its never too soon to apply! I would definitely be lost in a lot of just basic healthcare things (ie interacting w patients) if i didnt have at least some experience before i became an fnp-but its definitely not too soon!!

[Lisalis]

Go for it. You know exactly what you want and you control the outcome.

[Candimk2]

Rememer that a lot of hospials will pay for you to go back to school and also there's the NHSC (Natonal Health Service Corps) which will pay for ALL of your schooling, in return you just have to work in an underserved area for 2 years after graduation.