Thinking about NP school

[FoundAndy]

I am currently working in mental health as an RN, I have 3 years of RN experience. My main concern is my lack of med/surg experience. I want to start applying to NP programs, but I do not want to specialize in mental health for NP. I am interested in Acute Care NP programs. Does not having much med/surg experience hinder my chances of being accepted into a NP program? My reason for attaining an NP is to have more involvement in my patient's care. I am a good RN, and also case manage when I do intake in ED. My undergrad BSN GPA is 3.3, I am hoping this will speak for me.

I appreciate any comments.

Thank you,

Andrew

[SlyFoxRN, BSN, RN]

I am currently working in mental health as an RN, I have 3 years of RN experience. My main concern is my lack of med/surg experience. I want to start applying to NP programs, but I do not want to specialize in mental health for NP. I am interested in Acute Care NP programs. Does not having much med/surg experience hinder my chances of being accepted into a NP program? My reason for attaining an NP is to have more involvement in my patient's care. I am a good RN, and also case manage when I do intake in ED. My undergrad BSN GPA is 3.3, I am hoping this will speak for me.

I appreciate any comments.

Thank you,

Andrew

Most acute care programs require acute care experience.

[Annaiya, NP]

I think your best bet is to contact some of the programs you are interested in and see what they have to say about your experience. It may vary a lot between programs. Good luck!

[NJprisonrn]

There is a mental health RN in my program. He is doing just fine. I am in a primary care focused program, though.

[FoundAndy]

I was thinking the samething. Is acute care the same as critical care tho? I am hoping I meet the criteria.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Don't worry about your RN experience.

[FoundAndy]

What should I be concerned about for entry to an Acute program?

[MommyandRN]

From experience, an adult acute care NP needs more of a critical care or tele background, and works in hospitals or higher acuity areas. A Family NP treats all ages and can work in a wide variety of areas. A mental health NP would be more fitting with your background, obviously. But if you don't want to go that route, maybe Family NP instead of Acute care? That way you have more options.