Cons of master's entry NP programs?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Perhaps this has been posted before, but I am curious to know if I got accepted in a master's entry nurse practitioner program what my chances of finding a job after graduation would be having little experience in nursing. I received a non-nursing BA years ago so the master's entry programs sound attractive to me. Are their other cons I'm not considering?

dancingnurse13,

Thank you for sharing. You're the first person I've come across that was a direct-entry grad. Do you know if most of your graduating class found jobs as NPs or did some have to start out as RNs first? I know there's a bunch of nurses who have negative opinions of direct entry programs but I'm mostly wanting to know about job prospects and whether or not you and other grads feel adequately trained.

By the way, congrats on your degree and job find.

haha, its not me...is BCgradnurse that has finished the program and been a successful direct entry grad, i think you're question is directed at her :) But i'm on my way to start next summer.

Oops, I have no idea how I made that mix-up!

ademium, I cannot figure out how to PM you but I'd really appreciate your input...first off what MSN program did you attend? What are you doing now? I see in a lot of your threads you were conflicted about FNP, ANP, ACNP...I too am the same. However, I do not have my RN at this point am going for it now but considering just going for direct entry MSN with an accredited school since I also have a BA and have spent time in health care. I am wondering what you based your final decisions on? thanks so much

I sent you a PM.

I plan to apply to direct entry programs this year, and the biggest con (to me) is the cost.

I plan to do psychiatric nursing and am already a Masters-level counselor, but I might have a different opinion if I, say, wanted to be an Acute Care NP. I don't really see the difference in prescribing abilities to PA programs, which are no longer than Grad Entry NP programs.

For me, part of it was the ability to stop and work and earn money while gaining experience prior to going back for NP training. A PA program would have required more time not working. I agree, if you're looking at a full direct-entry program that has you getting a Master's without ever stopping to work as a nurse, then the parallel to a PA training is stronger. Then you have to look at their work opportunities and training differences and see what's the best fit for you.

Yes, I agree. I'm mainly looking at UIC, and they encourage people to work as RNs during the NP portion of the program (the RN part is full time, but you can drop to part time during NP training). That's what I would prefer to do.

I'm still considering getting my ADN then applying to an NP program later, though. It would be a LOT cheaper, and I already have one Masters to pay off.

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

I haven't quite finished my MS, but I went to UIC's GEP program (graduate in May). I can't speak about hiring problems because I know pretty much ANY NP has a difficult time finding work (average from license to job in Illinois is about 1 year). I went part time and I'm now working in the CCU at Loyola. I cannot imagine even passing clinicals without having bedside experience. Simply being in the environment and getting used to reading notes and lab reports will help you astronomically. If you choose to go the NP route without having minimum experience as an RN, you are going to cheat yourself out of learning in those very, very, very expensive clinicals. I certainly wouldn't want to care for patients without having a nursing background to build on.

I don't know about other people's circumstances, but I personally need things like....a paycheck and health insurance. It takes roughly 3 months just to become licensed after graduating along with another 9-12 months to find a job.....I certainly wouldn't want the weight of health insurance, a mortgage, and school loans to weigh on me with everything else....

Specializes in Clinical Nurse Leader.
The cons I can offer as someone who has worked with several new graduate CNLs as floor nurses is they are really behind the curve with regard to clinical skills and staff aren't too pleased that the new person with so much training in delegation hasn't ever given an injection. :rolleyes: Personally I just can't imagine being ready to prescribe medications without at least a few years working in the field but I know these programs are cranking out degrees to anyone who pays the tuition. Hopefully some people who have been through it will write and share their experiences but my take is I argue that getting some nursing experience prior to going for NP is preferrable.

This surprises me considering UVA offers 1000 clinical hours for the CNL direct entry program which is a lot more then most schools.

We get 1000 hours for the RN license in my direct entry program as well...

Specializes in Clinical Nurse Leader.
We get 1000 hours for the RN license in my direct entry program as well...

Oh wow, what program are you in?

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