Advice on furthering education

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Hello all! I wasn't sure where to post my questions so I apologize in advance if this isn't the right place! :)

I am currently a Labor and Delivery nurse in Oklahoma. I have recently been thinking about how I can further myself. I have always been the type to want to learn more and go further (& I picked a great career for that!). I am thinking about a women's health NP or CNM. Neither of these programs are available in Oklahoma as far as I know. If anyone knows of the nearest one and could let me know that would be wonderful!

Also, typically, how much experience is needed before applying to one of these programs? Is it necessary to have a master's degree? If so, in what?

Lastly, is labor and delivery the best place to be getting experience for either of these to NP paths? What other types of nursing would be beneficial?

Your responses are greatly appreciated! :nurse:

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

Frontier Nursing University has both of those programs. It's located in Kentucky but offers distance learning programs. Check them out: http://frontierschool.edu/

You also may want to check the AANP website. They have a list of the advanced practice nurse programs listed by state. http://www.aanp.org/AANPCMS2/ResearchEducation/EducationPageOne/NP+Preparation/NursePractitionerPreparation.htm

You can probably find the answers to all of your questions under the Advanced Practice Nurses tab on this website.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in ER.

One thing that ticks me off is new grads who immediately want to rush into grad school to avoid dealing with the ugly side of nursing. I usually have no respect for them, not because I don't value higher education, but before you begin giving your fellow nurses orders, many who have greater experiences than you do, you should definitely do the time, get the experience necessary before advancing your career. You're able to get into advanced nursing degrees after 1or 2 years of undergraduate experience, but that doesn't mean you should. You need to develop your critical thinking skills, floor nursing skills, people skills, etc and I don't believe any RN after 1-2 years experience has it down to pursue an NP position.

I know I may come off as rude, and it's not my intention- just being honest. Do yourself and your future patients a favor and be a nurse a little longer before moving on-- experience is the best teacher, not the classroom.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Thanks RNewbie!

& GAVagabond RN, My intention is to go back to school in a year or 2 and go part time (University of Oklahoma has a 3 year part time program in Tulsa for a FNP if I change my mind to do that) while working full time. So, that'd end up about 5 or 6 years bedside experience. I have no problem with "the ugly" side of nursing. In fact, I love my job. & yes, I understand that you are being honest but the post is offensive especially when you just assume I am trying to bypass bedside nursing. There is nothing wrong with wanting to advance yourself

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WOW, GAVagabond, RN. This is the problem with nursing a a whole. There are always "gate keepers" trying to knock down someone elses dream and goal. Stop hating on people who want to further their education. RNewbie, get yours!!! Hating is a hard job but some1 has to do it!

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Specializes in ER.
Thanks RNewbie!

& GAVagabond RN, with 2 years RN experience, I am not a new grad. My intention is to go back to school in a year or so and go part time (University of Oklahoma has a 3 year part time program in Tulsa) while working full time. So, that'd end up about 5 or 6 years experience. I have no problem with "the ugly" side of nursing. In fact, I love my job. & yes, I understand that you are being honest but the post is offensive especially when you just assume I'm a new grad and think I am trying to bypass bedside nursing all together. I also agree, experience is better than a book

How does my honesty offend you? I clearly stated that new grads who rush to advanced degrees to get away from the ugly side of nursing **** me off- if that doesn't apply to you, then why are you offended? And btw, I didn't "just assume" you were a new grad- I clearly saw you only have 2 years experience before replying to your post.

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Specializes in ER.
WOW, GAVagabond, RN. This is the problem with nursing a a whole. There are always "gate keepers" trying to knock down someone elses dream and goal. Stop hating on people who want to further their education. RNewbie, get yours!!! Hating is a hard job but some1 has to do it!

Call it hating or whatever you want, but wherever your career takes you, you'd realize that experience is what defines you as a good nurse, not classroom time.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.
How does my honesty offend you? I clearly stated that new grads who rush to advanced degrees to get away from the ugly side of nursing **** me off- if that doesn't apply to you, then why are you offended? And btw, I didn't "just assume" you were a new grad- I clearly saw you only have 2 years experience before replying to your post.

I went back and edited my original because it read as though I thought 2 years was a lot of experience. The bolded is exactly why your post was offensive. With 2 years, I REALIZE that I am very new especially since I will be at this job for at least 20-something more years. I posted questions and I appreciate those that responded to them without cutting down my experience level. Also, an "honest" question, do you talk down to everything with less experience than you who has future goals?

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Specializes in CriticalCare.

Remember you all, these are JUST opinions. My opinion is that it does not matter if one 'only' has a year of direct care experience before you begin advancing your education.

If the program does not prepare you, in addition to your continued experience, that is no fault of the student

Move forward--if going to school after 1-3yrs is your desire, do not be discouraged.

remember, opinions vary, ESPecially from nurses.

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Specializes in ER.
I went back and edited my original because it read as though I thought 2 years was a lot of experience. The bolded is exactly why your post was offensive. With 2 years, I REALIZE that I am very new especially since I will be at this job for at least 20-something more years. I posted questions and I appreciate those that responded to them without cutting down my experience level. Also, an "honest" question, do you talk down to everything with less experience than you who has future goals?

Again, I'm not demeaning your experience; Kudos to you for having been in nursing for 2 years- that's great! As for me, an ER travel nurse with only 6 years experience, I realize that I have more learning and growth to absorb, but not nearly as much as I did in the earlier years as an RN. At your experience level, I wouldn't be comfortable pursuing an advanced degree because I'd feel liable, as if I owed it to myself and my patients to get the experience necessary before going further. This is my 2 cents, so no need getting bent out of shape.....

And the answer to your "honest question" is no. As someone seeking advice, you should probably be prepared to explore different opinions, even ones different than yours as long as it's constructive criticism - that's why it's called advice. What good is it to come to a forum for people to advice you- but only with answers you want to hear? We all have an opinion and if you don't like mine, move on to the next person.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I understand that there are varying opinions. I posted here to get facts about programs not to hear opinions about why I shouldn't go for it. The question about experience was pertaining to NP programs. I've heard that many require at least 2 years critical care etc... And yes, answers that I wanted to hear would have been nice because the questions that I asked were 1) where there were programs 2) How much experience is required before applying 3) Do you get a masters in something else first and then apply for NP and 4) what areas are going to be helpful in teaching me skills for my future goals. I am all about opinions and agreeing to disagree but I didn't ask "should I keep working on the floor or apply to NP school now". I guess I need to look back at my own reasons for posting my questions here. I thought that this site was not only for opinionated discussion but also for nurses and prospective nurses to seek answers from other people who have been there and done that

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.
Remember you all, these are JUST opinions. My opinion is that it does not matter if one 'only' has a year of direct care experience before you begin advancing your education.

If the program does not prepare you, in addition to your continued experience, that is no fault of the student

Move forward--if going to school after 1-3yrs is your desire, do not be discouraged.

remember, opinions vary, ESPecially from nurses.

Your post is making me re-evaluate why I got offended in the first place. It isn't so much that I got an opinion that I disagreed with it was more so that I was expecting facts. & to the bolded, us nurses definitely do have the strongest opinions! :lol2:

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