Current RN applied for FNP MS programs.

[eternity112]

Right now I am an RN that is almost done with his Bachelors of science in Nursing.

I applied to a MS in FNP, most likely getting in. However, I am a little concerned as a lot of people told me that I need RN experience before becoming an NP. On the other hand, some people said it is not necessary, as when you are an NP, you do not do RN tasks.

I guess long story short... Is it essential to have RN experience before applying NP? Right now I am concerned if I do not enter into a MS in FNP program in order to gather more RN experience and I still do not get a job, I would not only have not gotten a job, I wasted a year that I could have spent completing a year of a MS in FNP.

Right now I Live in NYC, and it is Incredibly hard to find RN jobs, as you know NYC is a tough place as everyone is moving here and wants to live here. ​However, I still want to apply for NP school, since the sooner you apply even without RN experience, the sooner you will graduate.

I know a lot of people became NPs without RN experience, what do you think about that? I really want to be an NP, that is the main reason I went into RN school, just to be an NP. Not sure if anyone thinks that selfish, but that is my agenda.

I really love the fact that NPs are getting more independence, and have their own license. I contemplated become a MD/DO, however the years are so long and I would be 29-30 when I finish med school. However, if I went straight for NP, I would be 25 when I finish NP school.

[Tiger95]

I don't think you "have" to have RN experience but from what I am finding out, it will set you apart when you are an NP and can say that you've had bedside care experience. I am an ICU nurse and will start my MSN/FNP program next month. I work with a lot of folks that are attending NP school and the word on the street is that 2-3 years of RN experience will make you a more attractive candidate. Just my thoughts.

Good luck!

[eternity112]

First of all thanks for your response.

But on the other hand, there are studies that do not prove any correlation between years of RN experience and NP clinical competence, in fact it is a negative one.

Personally IMHO, I feel as if many nurses treating attaining RN experience like "pay your dues" or like hazing, something that you must do. If it is mandatory, like I guess a 2-3 post NP residency where you function in a dual role as an RN/NP? It should have been implemented like Post MD/DO/DPM residencies to make NP grads suffer as RNs/Novice NPs and "become more competent." Without a mandatory requirement as an NP/RN in order to practice as an NP you will never make it universal for NPs to gather RN experience, and you will have the problem with NPs being out there without RN experience, and believe me when I tell you they will find a way to "bs" or push their way into a position.. WHy not? They already got into an NP field without RN experience, you don't think they will get a job.

I read dozens of opinions, the question is whether you need it or not, and you answered that you don't need it. Experience of course makes anyone an attractive candidate, becoming a home aide would of course make an RN candidate or RN student more attractive, but not a lot of RN students have it.

What I am saying is that, most of the arguments for it does not seem adequate and most nurses seem to just say "you need it " "you need it" as if you have to suffer for a while before you can become an NP. It seems to be more of a subjective/emotional reason for becoming an RN, because most RNs do not progress to being APRNs and had problems where they could not go directly into the NP field. Believe me if they had the will, passion, and opportunity to become on, they would. Those who don't will give a reason not to do it right away. Some professors/doctors I know said you need it some say you don't, those who said you don't need it say, the NP field is vastly different with of course some similarities to RN, but does not mean you'll be a better NP.

There is a reason to get RN experience of course when becoming an NP, but it doesn't seem to be a very valid reason. Seems to be a subjective/opinionated one as I said before. The question is, is it essential, if not, that speaks to something.

[RescueNinjaKy]

First of all thanks for your response.

But on the other hand, there are studies that do not prove any correlation between years of RN experience and NP clinical competence, in fact it is a negative one.

Personally IMHO, I feel as if many nurses treating attaining RN experience like "pay your dues" or like hazing, something that you must do. If it is mandatory, like I guess a 2-3 post NP residency where you function in a dual role as an RN/NP? It should have been implemented like Post MD/DO/DPM residencies to make NP grads suffer as RNs/Novice NPs and "become more competent." Without a mandatory requirement as an NP/RN in order to practice as an NP you will never make it universal for NPs to gather RN experience, and you will have the problem with NPs being out there without RN experience, and believe me when I tell you they will find a way to "bs" or push their way into a position.. WHy not? They already got into an NP field without RN experience, you don't think they will get a job.

I read dozens of opinions, the question is whether you need it or not, and you answered that you don't need it. Experience of course makes anyone an attractive candidate, becoming a home aide would of course make an RN candidate or RN student more attractive, but not a lot of RN students have it.

What I am saying is that, most of the arguments for it does not seem adequate and most nurses seem to just say "you need it " "you need it" as if you have to suffer for a while before you can become an NP. It seems to be more of a subjective/emotional reason for becoming an RN, because most RNs do not progress to being APRNs and had problems where they could not go directly into the NP field. Believe me if they had the will, passion, and opportunity to become on, they would. Those who don't will give a reason not to do it right away. Some professors/doctors I know said you need it some say you don't, those who said you don't need it say, the NP field is vastly different with of course some similarities to RN, but does not mean you'll be a better NP.

There is a reason to get RN experience of course when becoming an NP, but it doesn't seem to be a very valid reason. Seems to be a subjective/opinionated one as I said before. The question is, is it essential, if not, that speaks to something.

It seems like you already have your mind made up

[RescueNinjaKy]

I'm also a bit curious as to these studies that actually prove a negative correlation between rn experience and clinical competency.

I feel that "pay your dues" is a bad way to phrase it and that a lot of people don't mean it in that way. Rather i believe that the issue is that they view the experience as an rn as a sort of training in the nursing model. After all, like the other post you frequent, if it's not the nursing model you are interested in then people are going to be perplexed as to why be a np and not a pa. Going to nursing school and getting your license is not good nursing experience/training in that nursing model. As many will tell you, when you actually work as a nurse is when you learn the most in your nursing career.

Now I am not saying that np programs dont teach the nursing model, rather im saying that it starts at the advanced lvl. Which is why some feel that "how can you go straight to the advanced lvl when you arent even done with the core lvl (that you obtain while working as an rn, not from rn school, bc really it teaches you how to not kill someone and the very basics of nursing).

And comparing it to the medical internship and residency is a good point. I understand that you don't see it necessary and that the fact that there isn't one proves that np don't need the rn experience. But a lot of people feel that there should be a type of np residency program training. And in regards to the if it was necessary then it wouldve been mandatory argument; well np isnt that established of a profession yet. It has not been around as long as some of the other pcp roles so it is not completely established yet.

And from perusing other posts you will see that people feel that the np profession isnt very well regulated which is a possibility as to why such a requirement isnt in place yet. There is a call for maintaining higher practice and regulation of the np profession from many posters here and one of the reasons is that people with no real clinical experiences are becoming np and the other is the lack of rigid educational standards. The opinions on the online np mills are strong and in many cases not in a good way.

I am not an np nor am I enrolled in a program but these are just some points that I've seen whole perusing the forums.

[Tiger95]

I think you have a very negative attitude about RN work and I am personally offended that you would use the word "suffer" when referring to bedside care. I have never "suffered" during a day of patient care. My patients suffer and I'm there to help them. As SNurseKylam puts it - it sounds like you already have your mind made up so why bother asking.

Here's another point to consider. NP's work in many different settings so if you are going to work in the inpatient hospital setting as an NP, then of course any RN hospital experience will help you.

Don't be so closed minded about it and please don't insult those of us that take pride in providing patient care as RN's.

[guest769224]

If financially feasible, you should begin FNP school now. Knock it out early.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

As a student in a BSN to DNP program that went in with experience, no I do not believe it is necessary. An NP and an RN are 2 completely separate jobs. You may even have an edge because you don't have to lose one mindset to move on to a more advanced one. As a clean slate it may make learning more natural. Bedside nursing skills have not come up within the first 3 yrs of my program. Being the 4th year focuses on my capstone I don't forsee that peri care etc skills will be useful now either.

[eternity112]

Well I sorry you feel that way.

I never meant to insult anyone else, and if you are responding to me response in an emotional rather than a logical and ego free discussion so be it. I am not here to "desensitize" or fill my threads with "kisses and roses." I speak from what I believe. And your response if anything is emotional and lacks critical thinking.

The only thing you said is that I am negative, you are offended, patients are suffering, I am closed minded, and insulting others that take pride in providing patient care. I am not here to cater to anyone's pride nor to denigrate anyone's proession. If anything, your post boasts of ego and quite frankly I believe is egotistical.

I was simply discussing the necessity of RN experience for NP school. You reversed it and turned it to a blow to your ego. Don't be so emotional.

By the way, you barely even addressed the question.

[eternity112]

I'm also a bit curious as to these studies that actually prove a negative correlation between rn experience and clinical competency.

I feel that "pay your dues" is a bad way to phrase it and that a lot of people don't mean it in that way. Rather i believe that the issue is that they view the experience as an rn as a sort of training in the nursing model. After all, like the other post you frequent, if it's not the nursing model you are interested in then people are going to be perplexed as to why be a np and not a pa. Going to nursing school and getting your license is not good nursing experience/training in that nursing model. As many will tell you, when you actually work as a nurse is when you learn the most in your nursing career.

Now I am not saying that np programs dont teach the nursing model, rather im saying that it starts at the advanced lvl. Which is why some feel that "how can you go straight to the advanced lvl when you arent even done with the core lvl (that you obtain while working as an rn, not from rn school, bc really it teaches you how to not kill someone and the very basics of nursing).

And comparing it to the medical internship and residency is a good point. I understand that you don't see it necessary and that the fact that there isn't one proves that np don't need the rn experience. But a lot of people feel that there should be a type of np residency program training. And in regards to the if it was necessary then it wouldve been mandatory argument; well np isnt that established of a profession yet. It has not been around as long as some of the other pcp roles so it is not completely established yet.

And from perusing other posts you will see that people feel that the np profession isnt very well regulated which is a possibility as to why such a requirement isnt in place yet. There is a call for maintaining higher practice and regulation of the np profession from many posters here and one of the reasons is that people with no real clinical experiences are becoming np and the other is the lack of rigid educational standards. The opinions on the online np mills are strong and in many cases not in a good way.

I am not an np nor am I enrolled in a program but these are just some points that I've seen whole perusing the forums.

Thanks for your post and I appreciate that you didn't add strong emotions as other posters did.

Well the reason I did not become an PA and did an NP is a long story and believe me no one wants to hear it. All I could say is that I would prefer the reduced supervision I require as PAs do. As an NP I am essentially almost at the top o the educational hierarchy as an RN with some exceptions, not having a DNP, experience, etc, but essentially I am getting there. I simply do not want to be in a profession that revolves around being the subordinate of a doctor. The Physician Assistant profession.. And the Title for heavens sakes implies legal and ethical supervision and oversee. While NPs may function with a collaborative agreement / collaboration with the doctor, this is not supervision and I do not want to have my whole profession bogged down to a doctor having the final stay and critiquing everything I do.

Again, I agree with you that RN experience could only help for future/prospective NPs. The thing again is that there is no incentive for future younger NPs to acquire experience. I feel this is a big disserve for those that believe NPs need xp, because not only are these NP students/grads void of credible RN experience, the advocates for essential RN experience are seeing NPs without experience. Not sure if this has consequences, who knows, but certainly studies show nothing of the sort. I may post them later if I feel people are requesting for them.

The younger generation will also rush to the easiest route, becoming an NP without xp. I understand that the X generation usually are of the notion that you need 1 - 2 years xp and they generally never questioned authority and caved into the wishes of their superiors, hence why many RNs believe experience is essential, but they superiors believed it.

Again, RN experience only helps, if RN experience was essential, it would be part of the law. Thats the problem with the Nursing profession, while it has a strong lobby that protects the practice of RNs/NPs, there is a lack of supervision over the experience needed for APRNs. That is a reason why NPs are graduating with no experience. Reasons for this are student indifference, graduate admission indifference and desire to make money, and a lack of effort by the Nursing State Boards. Honestly, I blame the State Boards, if the Medical Boards mandate a residency, why don't the Nursing Boards do? You can't have it both ways, fail to require RN experience before/ and or after and then say you need it. If anything, that is unfair and quite frankly selfish to do on behalf of aspiring NPs. Think about what NPs go through: 2 years of graduate school thinking they'll function as APRNs and then have someone let them down by mandating xp?

Again, let us not be emotional and simply mandate it because we must endure the RN profession according to the Nightingale work ethic of toiling without reward. That is what I believe it is. If it is mandated it would be, its not and as a result, it is not necessary.

[ICURN7]

It seems like you already have your mind made up

I was about typing in the same exact thing and saw your comments…lol

[CitaGstudentFNP]

Go for it!