New Grad NP applying for RN job?

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Hi everyone,

In the near future I'm going to be attending a NP program (will probably choose family NP) and graduating in a few years.

However, I'm afraid about the job market for FNP as new grads so as a PLAN B, would it be weird if a NP apply for an RN job after graduation?

Would this increase chances of getting the job since new grad NP will already have more experience than an new grad RN? Or do places rather not hire someone like that since they don't want to pay extra for NP to fulfill RN role? (if this is their reasoning for not hiring, what if I accept the salary and responsibilities as RN?)

I thought of this only because I might not get a NP job right out of graduation and by starting out as an RN, it's a way to get my foot in the door so I can move to a NP position in that same place later on?

Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I'm a bit confused. Are you not already an RN working as an RN?

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.
I'm a bit confused. Are you not already an RN working as an RN?

I think she is saying that if, WHEN she graduates, she cannot find a NP job if it's weird to apply for a RN position so she can at least have a paycheck coming in.

Plan A = get a NP job after NP graduation

Plan B = get a RN job after NP graduation (for a paycheck)

I'd think you'd be able to find a NP job somewhere, somehow. I see tons of postings for the Medicare in home assessments, for urgent cares, etc. Especially if you apply a few months before graduation (worst they can do is not call you) surely you can find something. I'm currently looking for my first APN job and graduate in 76 days (yay). I have only applied to one place because it's in my dream area (cardiac). If I can't find a cardiac job in my search area my fall back are several postings for urgent care or primary care (which is ok for me).

Your first job likely won't be your dream job. But just find something and get experience (similar to telling new RN's to just get on a med surg unit at least then move to icu).

My view. Not worth much.

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Do you mind clarifying a few things for me?

1. are you a working RN? If so, did you just graduate or how long have you been working?

2. are you in NP school?

3. What area/state are you from?

4. "Would this increase chances of getting the job since new grad NP will already have more experience than an new grad RN? " --- are you talking about will once you are a new grad NP and you work as RN after NP school...will it increase your chances of getting a job?

I'm confused of what you are trying to ask.

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Hi there, I'm sorry for the confusion! But it is exactly as Anh06005 said. I will be attending NP school in the near future and in a few years by time I graduate, I will have my NP license by then. But I'm afraid of not finding a NP position after graduation so my question is "would it be weird or not favorable for a new grad NP to apply for a RN position?"

I am located in San Diego, CA and is expected to graduate few years down the future. The NP program also grants an RN license in addition too. I know the job market might be different by then, but I would like to still ask for advice from people just to see in the present view.

Sorry for the confusion and I thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with a new student like me. THANK YOU! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

So,....you are starting an NP program before becoming an RN? I guess my confusion was based on the assumption that you are an RN, and would be working as an RN and therefore could just keep your RN job until you found a job as an NP.

I guess I wasn't aware that you could start a Masters Program without having an undergrad degree. Are you saying that you will graduate as an NP with no nursing experience at all?

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Dear BrnEyedGirl,

So sorry again for the confusion! No, the program does grant a RN license! (accelerated BSN program) Then after that is the NP program. It is highly suggested that students work as RN BEFORE starting NP program and students can keep working even during the NP program. But for some reason, some choose to go straight into the NP program without working so they have little or no experience as RN even though they have RN license.

So in those rare cases, if a new grad NP applies for RN position, do you know it would be weird or unfavorable?

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Dear BrnEyedGirl,

So sorry again for the confusion! No, the program does grant a RN license! (accelerated BSN program) Then after that is the NP program. It is highly suggested that students work as RN BEFORE starting NP program and students can keep working even during the NP program. But for some reason, some choose to go straight into the NP program without working so they have little or no experience as RN even though they have RN license.

So in those rare cases, if a new grad NP applies for RN position, do you know it would be weird or unfavorable?

Its probably better if you are getting your RN experience while in NP school rather than once you finish NP school. I guess you will have to gauge that yourself and would have to take into account your finances and what not. I don’t think its weird that you would take a RN position after NP school while looking for a NP job position. However, if you are already have your NP certification and license and you are still sticking to your RN position it may cause you some role confusion and employers may question you on whether being NP is what you really want to be which can be seen as being fickle or undecisive. Also, you may want to research on how your state licensing board puts responsibilities for a NP working as a RN. For example, in TX if you hold a certification for APRN but you are working as a bedside RN and you give a medication to a patient that the doctor ordered in which you know may have an adverse reaction with other meds or put the patient at risk for an adverse reaction for any reason…would you give it?

If you give it and the patient has an adverse reaction, you are not held responsible at the RN level but you are held responsible at the APRN level because you know better and you hold a certification. So does this mean there is a potential that you can be sued? Probably.

If you don’t give it and you refuse and you tell the doctor you won’t give it because of your reasons xyz…then it would create a conflict between you and the doctor and in the workplace in general.

As far as the job market goes, perhaps in the city the pay maybe lower because everybody wants to live in proximity of convenient amenities. There are plenty of job postings and I believe that if you are willing to move sky is the limit on job opportunities.

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Thank you for taking the time to share your advice with me, aprnKate. :)

Even though I haven't even started school yet, I was still very worried about being able to gain a job position after graduation due to current and future debts/finance and living situations.

The reason why I even thought of this is because to ensure I will be still working as a nurse after graduation for a temporary time (for more experience and finances) even if it's not a NP position for the time being. But I hope to locate a permanent NP position down the road.

Thank you again for your advice and encouragement! :)

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Tina N.,

The questions you are asking are great questions! I'm glad you are asking them and taking the time to thoroughly make a map on how to reach your goals because many prospective NP students don't. Doing this, will in turn save you time , headache, and hopefully some money. Good luck!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Likely the job market will still be better for NP over RN; plus you really want to get an NP job after you graduate and get licensed as you will be "on the clock" once you are licensed.

Sent from my iPhone.

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aprnKate,

I sincerely appreciate it! I'm a huge worrywart, always scared about the "what-ifs" in life. So that's why I want to be as prepared as I can asking all the crazy questions beforehand. ^^

Again, thank you for your advice, it truly does make the world a bit less scary when you have someone share their encouragement for you from time to time.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!! :)

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