Any other BSN students thinking about applying to NP school?

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · May 23, 2014

Im just finished my sophomore year of nursing school. I do plan on going to grad school, but not right after I graduate. I atleast want 1-2 years in MED-SURG or ER and an additional 1-2 years in L&D before I go back to school. I want the experience, and I also want to be able to afford to pay as I go if I can. Grad school is expensive.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 23, 2014

I've thought about it, but not too many employers are going to want to hire a NP with no RN bedside experience.

RobBSNRN · May 23, 2014

I wouldn't want a new NP with no RN experience being my PCP... But unfortunately for the patient there is no way to know that.

I really think the nurse part of nurse practitioner should mean something or else what's the point.

RunBabyRN · May 23, 2014

Nursing school is basically just a step for me, as my ultimate goal is to be a certified nurse midwife.

But, like ThePrincessBride said, no one wants to hire an APN with no RN experience. You're better off getting at least a couple of years under your belt before you go. It'll also make you more appealing to MSN programs. I was just looking at the program I want to attend, and they talk a lot on their website about how much they want you to have at least SOME RN experience. I'm planning to wait a few years (hopefully pay off my student loans in the meantime and save up to pay cash) before I apply.

Anthony BSN,RN · May 23, 2014

I am planning as well to apply to a masters program, but not right after school. I want to get some experience first, and pay my student loans as well.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 23, 2014

Consider what the "A" stands for in APRN. Advanced. I firmly believe that to go from NO practice to ADVANCED practice is unwise at best.

RunBabyRN · May 23, 2014

Consider what the "A" stands for in APRN. Advanced. I firmly believe that to go from NO practice to ADVANCED practice is unwise at best.

Hahaha, "I'm a master's prepared nurse. Mastered what I've never done before."

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 23, 2014

Hahaha, "I'm a master's prepared nurse. Mastered what I've never done before."

:roflmao: I know, right?

I've had similar thoughts about entry-level MSN programs!

nlynrob · May 23, 2014

I just finished my junior year too! I've been thinking about NP school since deciding to apply to nursing school. I hope to be an ACNP which requires experience as an RN in the ED or ICU areas before applying. I'm trying to move the process along by doing everything I can to get hired in one of those areas right out of school and skip the usual med-surg job new grads get. I recently got a job as an ED PCA in a level one trauma center that is also home to a school with the program I want, and I'm getting all the certifications I can get: NIMS, phlebotomy and whatever else I can get into!

Nolli · May 23, 2014

I've thought about it and I think it's something I eventually want to do. However, most of the programs in my area will not accept someone without 2 years of ICU or ER experience. The NPs that did come directly out of school and went into a program all told me the same thing, "don't do what I did." They said they didn't feel as confident as the nurses who went and got experience first. Nursing school is just the beginning and you won't be exposed to the wide variety of patients and conditions that are in your textbook. It is more or less the basics and what you need to be safe as a RN.

baseball mom · May 23, 2014

What if I went directly into a NP program after RN school and worked as well. Would those years of working part time as an RN be enough experience?