Am I too rusty to be an NP?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I’ve been a nurse for 15 years. The last five have been on the quality side as a certified clinical documentation specialist. I have always wanted to be a nurse practitioner and my job helps by collecting data, looking for clinical indicators and treatment to assist MD for diagnosis specificity. I’m great at that but still want to be an NP. I want to do more, help more, and grow. My concern is that I have not been bedside nursing for awhile and those skills are quite rusty. I wonder if it would impede my hiring abilities or my confidence as an NP? I’m thinking I would be a family NP. I don’t see many skills necessary but I don’t want to be naive either. Shots I can do all day long, give those to my brain injured hubby. Thoughts?

Dear Wants to be Nurse Practitioner,

Not having recent bedside experience shouldn't affect your hireability as an NP.

Being a provider is a different role with different skill sets than nursing. Becoming a successful and skilled NP requires a steep learning curve.

For one, you will be diagnosing. Your knowledge as a documentation specialist regarding what documentation is needed for diagnostic billing will serve you well as a provider. In this regard, you are already ahead of the game.

Good luck to you ?

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!