Any other BSN students thinking about applying to NP school?

allnurses Guide · May 26, 2014

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

Actually, many employers don't place a ton of emphasis on it, for better or for worse.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 26, 2014

Actually, many employers don't place a ton of emphasis on it, for better or for worse.

Where I am from, they do.

allnurses Guide · May 26, 2014

Where I am from, they do.

Do you know from experience applying to NP jobs?

I only ask because even around here I have students that tell me "other nurses" have told them that; but it is absolutely not the case, especially in primary care arena under collaboration agreements.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 27, 2014

Do you know from experience applying to NP jobs?
I only ask because even around here I have students that tell me "other nurses" have told them that; but it is absolutely not the case, especially in primary care arena under collaboration agreements.

I live in a city with an influx of nursing schools and experienced nurses. I'm taking classes with the grad-entry students, and they have even told me that they are having a hard time getting anyone to hire them because the hospitals nearby are not fond of grad-entry RNs and NPs.

chartreuse · May 27, 2014

I don't understand the hate against grad entry/direct entry RNs (not talking about Direct entry NP- that I can understand a little better). My program is a masters level pre-licensure (non-nursing bachelors degree) RN program that offers more clinical hours than the BSN degree at the same institution. We also take upper level coursework leading to a broad and well rounded knowledge base. Why the hate? I guess not every program is set up as well, but I don't understand the negativity about the concept in general. I guess I'm just glad my program has a good reputation. ?

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 27, 2014

I don't understand the hate against grad entry/direct entry RNs (not talking about Direct entry NP- that I can understand a little better). My program is a masters level pre-licensure (non-nursing bachelors degree) RN program that offers more clinical hours than the BSN degree at the same institution. We also take upper level coursework leading to a broad and well rounded knowledge base. Why the hate? I guess not every program is set up as well, but I don't understand the negativity about the concept in general. I guess I'm just glad my program has a good reputation. 

No one is "hating" on anyone. :/

Many employers do NOT want to hire grad-entry NPs because 1) employers put a lot of time and money in orienting new RNs, and most NP students will only have a 1.5-2 years left before becoming NP and 2) many of the direct-entry NPs come out with very little if any bedside experience. How can one practice as at an advanced level if he or she has never even mastered the basics and fundamentals of nursing?

It has nothing to do with "hate" but patient safety. The best NPs typically have lots of bedside experience and knowledge that took years to acquire, and that experience is priceless.

allnurses Guide · May 27, 2014

No one is "hating" on anyone. :/
Many employers do NOT want to hire grad-entry NPs because 1) employers put a lot of time and money in orienting new RNs, and most NP students will only have a 1.5-2 years left before becoming NP and 2) many of the direct-entry NPs come out with very little if any bedside experience. How can one practice as at an advanced level if he or she has never even mastered the basics and fundamentals of nursing?
It has nothing to do with "hate" but patient safety. The best NPs typically have lots of bedside experience and knowledge that took years to acquire, and that experience is priceless.

I want to be clear from the start, I am not advocating for removing RN experience from NP curriculum requirements, but, I also believe in transparency for those that read these boards and make big lifetime decisions based on what they read.

This is a hot topic issue: everyone from perspective students (as above) to experienced NPs have their two cents to share, and almost all of it is subjective and anecdotal, and if for a rehashing of something once heard. My advice to my NP students (and to perspective students/students here) is to do their own research:

1. Look at the current extant literature on the topic: it may surprise you based on what you hear. There are several small studies published now on the topic.

2. Ask local employers what qualities they look for in NP applicants. Remember that in many NP positions, the hiring is done by the medical staff office/CMO or a physician not the CNO. This local info will ultimately dictate your employment and value. Local area vary tremendously.

3. Ask local NPs what their background is. This lets you judge whether the info local employers give you is the ideal or the reality.

4. Listen to anecdotal stories on the message boards but take with a grain of salt who is posting the information and their background. All points of view have value but not all have perspective.

I have some personal and professional thoughts on the topic from my experience as a practicing NP and preceptor,

which I would be happy to share if anyone has questions, but otherwise I will leave this post purely objective.

chartreuse · May 28, 2014

My post was in reference to ThePrincessBride's comment about employers not wanting to hire grad entry RNs. Whether she intended that to mean what I interpreted it to mean or not, this statement was what I was responding to. I know enough about the "hot topic" of direct entry NP to not want to bring up that whole debate. But since I'll be attending a master's level RN program, gotta try to give it the cred I think it deserves!

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2014

My post was in reference to ThePrincessBride's comment about employers not wanting to hire grad entry RNs. Whether she intended that to mean what I interpreted it to mean or not, this statement was what I was responding to. I know enough about the "hot topic" of direct entry NP to not want to bring up that whole debate. But since I'll be attending a master's level RN program, gotta try to give it the cred I think it deserves!

So then you are clearly bias...

This is what I'm hearing from the grad-entry students. THEY are telling me that what employers have told them, that they are not interested in hiring grad-entry students; many are having a hard time getting employment as most employers want relevant work experience.

allnurses Guide · May 28, 2014

So then you are clearly bias...
This is what I'm hearing from the grad-entry students. THEY are telling me that what employers have told them, that they are not interested in hiring grad-entry students; many are having a hard time getting employment as most employers want relevant work experience.

You are currently in a BSN program right? How many DE NP students are you in class with that are currently

applying for NP jobs?

chartreuse · May 28, 2014

ThePrincessBride, I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. I am speaking of direct entry masters level RN programs, NOT direct entry NP programs. If you're saying that generalist MSN nurses are getting negative feedback when applying for jobs, that honestly doesn't make sense to me. Not sure how a MSN program is less desirable than a BSN, ABSN, or ADN prepared nurse, logically speaking. Unless someone is attending a craptastic program with a bed reputation, then sure I understand employer hesitation.

The good and most important news is that I've spoken with alumni from my program and all graduates that wanted one have gotten a job (and at the top hospital in the state, no less), so I don't think that's "bias."

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · May 28, 2014

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

This is a peculiar stance. What makes you say this?