BSN-DNP Advice

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hello everyone!

Im graduating with my BSN next December and plan to start a BSN-DNP program the following August. Eventually, I want to work as a FNP in a rural area. Preferably, in a setting like a community health clinic (I know Im not gonna land my dream job right after school but this is what im working toward).

I really want some feedback from people who have more experience and know how things work in the "real world" of nursing. Im worried that entering a BSN-DNP program right after graduating will set me up to fail as a FNP. I do plan to work as an RN if possible while I am in the DNP program. I really dont want to work a few years before going back to school because I dont think I would ever go back and I believe it would be much harder after being out of school for so long.

Is there anyone who has taken this path that can tell me about their experience? OR anyone who has any thoughts on the subject?

Specializes in ER, Trauma ICU, CVICU.

You need bedside experience, preferably in critical care/ED. You need to be able to develop your nursing skills very well before you start treating patients completely independently.

In my opinion, all schools should require at least one year of experience... probably more.

If you want it bad enough, you will go back to school and it won't be harder... if anything it will be easier because you will have real experiences to relate to what you are learning.

I went back to school after being a nurse over 4 years. If it is what you want, you will do whatever you need to do to make it happen. Good luck with your decision.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome!

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Specializes in Emergency.

You will get many answers, most of which is personal opinion. There are many programs that take someone all the way through without having the students work as RNs. They have to get their RN to continue in the program, but they don't have to work as an RN. I liken it to when I came out of RN school and many told me I had to work in Med/Surg before going to work in the ER. I didn't, and I don't think I missed anything other than a year of frustration at working in an area I don't enjoy.

There are many things I have learned while working as a RN, and for that matter while working as a MA during nursing school that I have been able to apply toward my NP education, in that vein, I believe my experience has helped me to be able to apply things I'm learning in my NP program to real life situations. I think this has helped me to both pick up didactic materials better and to apply it to actual clinical presentations. It has also helped me to feel more comfortable in the clinical setting because, well, I've been in the setting before, just not in this exact role.

Having said that, if the program you choose is use to having student who have no clinical experience, I have to believe they factor that into their program, or their students wouldn't be successful. It would certainly be something I would ask them about before I applied to a program though.

Finally, in the end this is a decision you need to make based on your comfort level with your experiences and your ability to apply the information in a real life setting. Another option, might be to get a job, and start school, but do it part time. That would give you time to gain experience as you continue to move along in your education process and not take a break from school. If the schooling is one year longer, well then you get the same amount of experience as if you had worked a year and then gone back to school, but you give yourself more time to absorb the materials in class as well.

Thank you both for your input. I've seen a lot of people say that the experience is important and some people say they were ok without it. I think going back to school and doing well requires more than just a desire to do it, especially if you want a family. So much to think about!

I just read your post and I was wondering if you ever ended up going right away for your DNP? I'm in the process of considering the same decision at a school that has a specific program for BSN students to continue their education right away. It starts part time so I would have some opportunity to get experience. I would love to hear how everything is going for you and if you would have done it differently. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thank you!!!!

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I'm also trying to do the same thing! Nervous that I will only have ~6 months experience by fall (if I get accepted), but I am in the same boat as you in that I'm worried that if I don't go now, I never will. Keep us updated! I'm glad I'm not the only one worrying about this.

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