R.N first or straight to N.P?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 10, 2014

If you haven't even gone through nursing school, how do you know you want to be an Advanced Practice nurse? Go to an accredited school of nursing. Sit for and pass the licensing exam. Then and only then will you "have your R.N.". Once you've become an RN, work for a few years, determine what specialty you might actually be interested in. And THEN apply for a graduate program. You cannot be a nurse practitioner without being a nurse first. If this idea really bothers you, check out PA schools.

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2014

All NPs are RNs.

You have to get your RN en-route to NP.

ronchelednik · Jun 10, 2014

You want to take a shortcut? Then you need to be a physicians assistant.

verene, MSN · Jun 10, 2014

Thanks you for the replies. I think I should clarify a few things.

1) I am well aware that all NPs are RNs. The question is do I get an ADN/BSN level certification first? Or should I apply to an early-entry masters program, where the first year is preparation to sit the NCLEX-RN in addition to taking graduate level courses?

2) I am fairly certain on my desire to be an Nurse Practitioner and not stop at the ADN/BSN level of education. I've done a fair amount of research on what the different levels of education allow on do in practice and feel very strongly that if I stay with the mental health side of nursing (where I currently work as an aide), that the level of education I want in psychopharamcology and counseling those with severe mental illness can only be achieved with an MSN or higher education.

3) I have no interest in med school or becoming a PA... I'm not looking for a shortcut. I'm trying to figure out which option given current life experience would better prepare me for high level practice with in the nursing paradigm of care.

ATBStudent · Jun 10, 2014

I have a friend in nursing school that wants to be a np. She has a degree in biology and made it into an accelerated masters of nursing program. She says that it's more expensive, 10x more work, and she's still just learning the same things as the BSN students....when I decided to do nursing, she advised me against doing what she did. Just something to think about.

Phi Gam · Jun 10, 2014

Being an RN before an NP can be very beneficial by helping you build a foundation of knowledge and skills as a nurse that you won't see as an NP. So much of what you'll use as an NP, in my opinion, could be improved by having real life experience as an RN first. I am currently in the process myself of applying to NP grad programs, and I consider the 3 years I've spent working as an RN as pure gold. Sure you can make the transition to an NP without the RN step if you want, and you'll probably be fine when it's all said and done, but unless you're severely hurting for time I'd recommend going the full route.

Barnstormin' PMHNP · Jun 10, 2014

My 2 cents....I entered nursing with the desire to culminate as an APRN. I did my prereqs while running my own business, attended an associates program while working, obtained my RN license, got a job as an RN, and immediately began attending a brick and mortar school for my BSN (hybrid format, I only had to be on campus about once every week, the rest online). Applied for the PMHNP program in my last semester, was accepted and am now starting grad classes this summer. Once again in a hybrid format at the same university while working full time (btw they supply preceptors or you can have your own vetted). I had a couple nurses in my RN-BSN program that were trying to go the straight route but the faculty did not let them apply to grad school, they were told to get some experience nursing and to come back. It was very obvious during class and online discussion who had experience and who didn't. I would heartily recommend getting experience first just so you can get the full experience of nursing, let me say this; it is VERY different than it looks from the outside. I had SOLID plans to be a FNP but psychiatric nursing snuck up behind me and showed me where my true interest and talent lie. I value all my experience as a nurse and would personally feel like an imposter if I didn't have nursing experience to give me confidence and insight. The work/school route has worked out great for me.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jun 10, 2014

Well, I have no experience as a NP, so take my advice with that. One reason I choose the path I did was because I wanted healthcare experience as a RN prior to going on to get my NP. I felt like this would help me to be able to apply what I was learning during the didactic portion of my program and to apply it better during the clinical portion and thus at a minimum reduce the learning curve a bit when I became a new NP.

So far, I can say that having my RN experience has helped me in my program, or at least I feel like I am better able to retain and apply information and that what I'm learning is material that is building upon knowledge already obtained as opposed to being new knowledge. For that reason, I do not feel like the additional time was time wasted or poorly used.

Having said that, there are many who choose the other route, and are successful, so I can't say that my route is the correct one for them. It is the correct route for me. You will have to perform a self assessment and determine the best route for you.

verene, MSN · Jun 18, 2014

Thank you for the responses. This has given me some good feedback to think about as I pursue this path. :-)

MissT19 · Jun 19, 2014

I had a degree in bio first. I did an accelerated BSN program in 12 months then went directly onto the MSN portion. I worked as an RN for over a year while doing the NP program. I am now working as an NP and I wouldn't change a thing. I knew I didn't want to work as an RN for years then go back, I already knew what I wanted so I kept going.

guest538567 · Jun 22, 2014

I agree with others that practice as an RN can be invaluable prior to NP. It not only serves as a foundation to basic clinical practice but it can hone your likes/dislikes regarding your APRN specialty. I use skills and knowledge everyday in NP practice that I developed as a staff nurse.