A lot of Hate toward NP Students without years of RN experience

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I am finding in most of the places I look for encouragement, tips, experience etc in social media, online etc. I am finding ALOT of negativity, STRONG opinions about how "dangerous" the "massive influx" of direct entry NP programs and new RN's who "think" they can "just become an NP". It is really disheartening. When I graduate from my program (I am finishing the last week of my first year of FNP) I will have a few years working as a nurse. I basically made the decision to apply while I was finishing my BSN and then pursued it not too long after getting my license. I had to have top grades in undergrad, attain top scores on my GRE, have STRONG references and recommendations from coworkers/preceptors/instructors. And now I have to actually learn all of the material, eventually being tested on it, then having to pass boards as well as find a job. I will then have to practice in a way that is safe and effective in order to keep both my job and my license. I feel that over time the path to and scope/role of nurses, "doctors", aides, NP's, PA's, CNA's LPNS, LVNs, RNs, BSN's, ADN's etc have intersected, changed and evolved. More and more people are looking at Nurse Practitioner as their ultimate career goal, not as a goal they set after years of working as an RN. These programs have to be accredited and we are all taking the same tests, passing the same classes (with differences but they still must pass accrediting body purview) and sitting for the same boards. I agree and yes wish that I would have had more time as an RN so that I could have more time and experience under my belt with patients. But I do not believe that this makes me or will make me an incompetent or dangerous FNP. IF anything I believe that instead of having any kind of notion that I have seen it all, or have a lot of knowledge, I operate to learn as much as I can and work as hard as I can to really provide excellent patient care. I spend my time in and out of school continuing to build my foundation for my practice, remembering that I should never stop learning and that there is always room for improvement. Everyone starts somewhere and to be honest I have seen the quality of care from fellow RN's run the gambit where years of experience was concerned. The point is this, I feel almost afraid to divulge the fact that I am pursing NP so quickly and that if I do I will be judge or criticized or dismissed. I don't think it should be this way. If there is evidence collected to suggest that only seasoned nurses should be considered for NP roles and degree programs, I haven't heard of it. Until then I guess I just wanted to speak about it and see if anyone else here can relate or has experience as an FNP/NP with relatively few as an RN. Thank you guys in advance.

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Who cares what people on this forum think? I don't. There are plenty of NPs who did not work as RNs. I am one of them. All the evidence suggests that RN experience does NOT produce superior NPs. I went straight from my BSN to my MSN and got a job within 2 months of graduating. The same for all of my classmates. What does matter is the MSN school - please do not go to a for-profit questionable NP school if you have little RN experience. Get into the best MSN program that you can! The best programs are usually cheaper than for-profit schools as well. Potential employers do care about the school you went to when evaluating new grad NPs. Good luck.

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Thank you for replying, I wasn't sure if anyone would. Its not just this forum, it is also some of the NP forums on Facebook, articles I have been reading...even some of my undergrad professors and other nurses. These aren't things people are telling to me as I typically don't disclose anything about my FNP program/goal. They are things said between colleagues or to other students, which is sad. I am happy you can give me the other side to the story. While I was in undergrad I was in a rural health facility for clinical, got paired with an NP (only she and a secretary were at this clinic) shadowed her for a semester and that was it for me, it sealed the deal in terms of applying right after school. I attend a non-for-profit school, a 3 year full time MSN program and yeah, the for-profit schools are a lot more expensive, I don't know why anyone attends them because of that alone. Thanks again, glad to hear you are having success and providing quality patient care, it is possible!

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I've found that most people who post on these forums are unhappy for various reasons, hence the negativity. Most people who are happy and successful are not going to bother with these forums. I'm only on here because I was curious and wanted to provide support to people who need it. Sounds like you are on a good path. Best wishes.

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The truth is that NPs just like everyone else, like to think that they are in some exclusive club. The price of admission is supposed to be a rigorous full-time B&M program only after having several years of RN experience. And then, you'll still have those who say it's not enough and we should all wish to be MDs or PAs(??). Take it all with a grain of salt. The truth is that the courses we take are structured so that we all learn the same material -- and what you put into learning, you will take out. We all pass the same boards. And just like the physicians that some people seem to revere -- there are good one's and bad one's -- this holds true for nurse practitioners, as well.

And just like when I was practicing bedside nursing and would grit my teeth at some of the really stupid things I've seen some RNs do, muttering about how they could possibly hold the same licensure as I, there will be NPs that give us a bad reputation. That's just the way it is. Focus on your own skills, education, and knowledge. Do the best you can do. Then hold your head up.

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Who cares what people on this forum think? I don't. There are plenty of NPs who did not work as RNs. I am one of them. All the evidence suggests that RN experience does NOT produce superior NPs. I went straight from my BSN to my MSN and got a job within 2 months of graduating. The same for all of my classmates. What does matter is the MSN school - please do not go to a for-profit questionable NP school if you have little RN experience. Get into the best MSN program that you can! The best programs are usually cheaper than for-profit schools as well. Potential employers do care about the school you went to when evaluating new grad NPs. Good luck.

I have to agree with some of the others. I had a new nurse ask me about applying to DNP FNP school as a new grad and I told her to do it. The longer you wait the harder it can be and we do pick up some bad habits over the years. For those who don't like that you are doing it then to bad for them. Ignore them. You could always start a facebook group for support for those who have no or limited experience so you will have a safe place to chat, ask questions and share things. just remember you will all be NPs. and 3 years in you will be just as good at your job as anyone else with 3 years NP exp.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

To the OP: You are way past pulling the trigger on a huge life decision. Keep your focus on your studies and doing the very best you can and getting the most out of your program. Go above and beyond the expectation -- do this whether you have RN experience or not. Don't take these things you hear on the street personally. I am one of those "old" nurses -- also slated for NP school -- who does land on the 'bedside experience is better' side of the debate. It's OK that I think this way. It's OK that you don't. If you read any threads here on AN about NP education you will see that there are several areas of concern regarding modern NP education -- RN experience is just one facet the whole thing.

For what it's worth I don't know many RNs who think they know it all. On the contrary, I think the majority of us are very well aware that our experience -- if we have it -- at the bedside is NOT provider experience. But, depending on what the experience is, I think bedside experience is a good thing. There are actually several reasons why I think this -- which I won't go into here-- there are lots of threads on this.

Bottom line is, when people say that -- they usually have some compelling reasons for saying it -- I don't think it's because they are unhappy, lol, like another poster suggested. It's worth your time -- as a nurse now vested in our profession -- to give it some thought too. I am noticing a trend (maybe cause I'm old) for young nurses to disregard what they don't like hearing. Please don't do that. You might very well be a leader in our profession someday -- do your thing -- but as you do it make sure to stay open and listen to all sides. You'll need that skill a lot in life. And regardless of my thoughts on RN experience is NP programs? .... I wish you and your future practice the BEST. I'm rooting for you!

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I am finding in most of the places I look for encouragement, tips, experience etc in social media, online etc. I am finding ALOT of negativity, STRONG opinions about how "dangerous" the "massive influx" of direct entry NP programs and new RN's who "think" they can "just become an NP". It is really disheartening. When I graduate from my program (I am finishing the last week of my first year of FNP) I will have a few years working as a nurse. I basically made the decision to apply while I was finishing my BSN and then pursued it not too long after getting my license. I had to have top grades in undergrad, attain top scores on my GRE, have STRONG references and recommendations from coworkers/preceptors/instructors. And now I have to actually learn all of the material, eventually being tested on it, then having to pass boards as well as find a job. I will then have to practice in a way that is safe and effective in order to keep both my job and my license. I feel that over time the path to and scope/role of nurses, "doctors", aides, NP's, PA's, CNA's LPNS, LVNs, RNs, BSN's, ADN's etc have intersected, changed and evolved. More and more people are looking at Nurse Practitioner as their ultimate career goal, not as a goal they set after years of working as an RN. These programs have to be accredited and we are all taking the same tests, passing the same classes (with differences but they still must pass accrediting body purview) and sitting for the same boards. I agree and yes wish that I would have had more time as an RN so that I could have more time and experience under my belt with patients. But I do not believe that this makes me or will make me an incompetent or dangerous FNP. IF anything I believe that instead of having any kind of notion that I have seen it all, or have a lot of knowledge, I operate to learn as much as I can and work as hard as I can to really provide excellent patient care. I spend my time in and out of school continuing to build my foundation for my practice, remembering that I should never stop learning and that there is always room for improvement. Everyone starts somewhere and to be honest I have seen the quality of care from fellow RN's run the gambit where years of experience was concerned. The point is this, I feel almost afraid to divulge the fact that I am pursing NP so quickly and that if I do I will be judge or criticized or dismissed. I don't think it should be this way. If there is evidence collected to suggest that only seasoned nurses should be considered for NP roles and degree programs, I haven't heard of it. Until then I guess I just wanted to speak about it and see if anyone else here can relate or has experience as an FNP/NP with relatively few as an RN. Thank you guys in advance.

I am applying to my NP program this month as a direct-entry MSN student. In addition to the pre-reqs and an undergraduate degree, one of the requirements of my application is a goal statement in which I detail my journey to the profession and how I settled on my specialty (CNM/WHNP). The only way I was able to write this statement and decide on a specialty was through years of working alongside women in both clinical and research settings. Although I won't really "practice" as an RN, that was never my objective.

There will always be critics and people who think they have something to say. However, it's commendable that you are on your way to becoming a FNP and have all of your accomplishments, too!

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

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PAs don't necessarily go into practice with any prior medical experience and no one is shaming them. Enjoy your education and become the best NP you can be. Haters will always find something to complain about and those whining are probably upset with themselves for not doing it sooner.

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I think there are pros and cons to both. I was an RN (diploma) for 30 years before I obtained my BSN after many years of procrastinating believing experience was all that mattered. Now I wish I had gotten over the demons that held me back much earlier. However I do have concerns with NP's who don't have much clinical experience. I can give a personal example of working with a very enthusiastic NP who graduated at 24 with limited clinical experience, and not much critical thinking knowledge. Experience is key.

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Best comment I've read since joining ANí ½í±í ¼í¿¾

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