Any other BSN students thinking about applying to NP school?

[nursing_student93]

Just got done with my junior year of nursing school :) Just two semesters to go. I'm thinking about taking the GRE over the summer so that I can apply to some graduate programs that would start right after I graduate. I want to be a PMHNP. Is anyone else considering going straight through to grad school?

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I like how I have it set up. I went for my ADN and then I am going to have my BSN within 9 months. By then I will have a year experience and I can decide where I want to go from there.

[zips2015]

I'll be going into my senior year, too! Congrats! :)

I think it's a fantastic idea to apply as early as you can. Working and going to graduate school at the same time sounds like a great combination to me, as you are gaining field experience (as an RN) while earning your graduate education (as an NP). The roles aren't the same - so, depending on the prerequisite requirements for years of experience, I don't see the point in waiting years to apply - especially if you are a dedicated and motivated student.

You sound like someone who would be a "lifelong learner," so it just makes sense to me to be gaining some sort of knowledge all the time, whether in grad school, in CE classes, or otherwise. The more years of experience you have as an NP will benefit you more in that role down the road than the years of experience you have as an RN - not to say those wouldn't be valuable, however!

[datalore]

I'm going to go for NP for sure, but I'm going to take it really, really slow (as long a timeframe as the school allows) and do it while I work as an RN. I might wait a year or two before I apply. That way I can get *at least* 5-6 years actual RN experience before I even earn the graduate degree... and maybe find an employer that offers tuition reimbursement if I'm lucky.

[RunBabyRN]

I know, right?

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

Same here. I feel like those DE-MSN programs should require other medical experience, or something. You shouldn't be able to do that with an art history degree. JMO.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

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?

You'd be hard-pressed to find part-time new grad employment. Most facilities that would qualify as 'experience', would also be spending a good amount of time and money training you (orientation and precepting time). This is typically done as a full-time venture, for obvious reasons: the first year of nursing is expected to be a learning curve. Part-time, well.....would take too long to "get you there".

Bottom line: if you want to become an advanced practice nurse, first PRACTICE nursing, THEN go to school for the 'advanced' part.

Too many times, people skip steps in an effort to get there fastest or first, and then live to regret it.

[RunBabyRN]

You'd be hard-pressed to find part-time new grad employment. Most facilities that would qualify as 'experience', would also be spending a good amount of time and money training you (orientation and precepting time). This is typically done as a full-time venture, for obvious reasons: the first year of nursing is expected to be a learning curve. Part-time, well.....would take too long to "get you there".

Around here, most new grad positions are per diem, and many full time positions are being cut in an effort to save on having to pay benefits (even though they pay a per diem differential).

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Yeah, I was under the impression that experience was required for NP programs -- it's true, I really wouldn't want to be in a group of grad students who have years over me in actual hands on experience while I'm just the "bookworm" with no real practice experience. After I graduate, I'm hoping to get into a new grad program and really get some vital experience and feel like I really know what I'm doing (at least 70% of what I'm doing -- I know it'll never be 100%) and then apply. It seems like the natural course of things.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Around here, most new grad positions are per diem, and many full time positions are being cut in an effort to save on having to pay benefits (even though they pay a per diem differential).

Good to know. Guess the winds change with the needs; the idea of a PD new grad was unheard of until recently. The cost of getting a new grad up to speed made them NOT hire them as PD or PT. Learn something new every day :)

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

My ultimate goal is FNP. Not sure if I'll get there. But I won't stop until I at least earn my BSN. I'll see how I feel at that point...I'll be about 37 then. (-:

[floatnurse29]

I would like to go to graduate school eventually. But like they said above it helps to have some experience in nursing. At least then you would know how the system works in the real world instead of just in nuclex world.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm still debating between NP & PA school. For me, it's a matter of job opportunity and in my area, PAs have more open positions. In our state, PA & NP have the same authority, so the only difference is in the training (nursing model vs. medical model)

I'm waiting to decide when I finish the BSN. I know I certainly don't want to stop at BSN.

[RunBabyRN]

Good to know. Guess the winds change with the needs; the idea of a PD new grad was unheard of until recently. The cost of getting a new grad up to speed made them NOT hire them as PD or PT. Learn something new every day :)

I imagine this varies some, but I wish I could start with FT! I could use the stability and the hours while paying down student loans! I agree that FT makes it a better learning environment. The psych position I was offered was FT based on this line of thinking, and it makes more sense to me.