Advice on furthering education

[DeliveryRN2007]

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!

[zcoq72mehs]

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!

even when the opinion is not asked for

which is my point.

further direct engagement encourages further.......unasked for, 'opinion'

it is unlikely you will be able to change that opinion, despite supporting evidence.

so, it is more logical to disregard the irrelevant

and encourage further response from others thru redirection..........

which you partially did

be well.

[AppleRN4]

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

You asked for advice regarding experience necessary, I gave you such. Anyway, the best place to get any information you're seeking is from the horses mouth itself.....

American Association of Nurse Practitioners website is http://www.aanp.org

They have more than enough info to answer all your questions without offending you or your experience.

Good luck

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

To the OP:

1. You get the MSN when you complete the NP program - its a master's level course of education.

2. There are many schools, maybe not in OK but you can probably get into some type of online/hybrid school. Frontier, which someone else mentioned, has an excellent reputation.

3. Different schools require different levels of experience.

4. Everyone has their own path to the APN world: I did an MSN in management and leadership and then went back for two more post-MSN certificates (I don't recommend this path - lol).

5. Everyone has different experiences related to their work and education lives - you kinda take what you can use and go from there.

Good luck with your path.

[DeliveryRN2007]

Thank you TraumaRUs!

[foreverLaur]

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.

There are a lot of nurses with a lot more education, knowledge, and experience than you that decide how much RN experience is necessary to continue on to be a NP or CNS. You don't have to like it or agree with it, but that is still the fact of the matter. I have seen RNs go to graduate school with no experience and be wonderful NPs and I am sure the opposite is also true. I have seen RNs with a ton of experience go to grad school and be terrible NPs and I am sure the opposite is also true there. If you feel this passionately about the experience, maybe you should look into a career change that puts you in a position to actually fix the system you believe is so broken instead of dashing people's hopes and dreams on an anonymous forum.