Aspiring NP but... with a bad knee / hip / back? Am I dreaming?

Extra Pickles · May 2, 2016

Before you become an NP you become an RN. You don't become an advanced practice nurse without first becoming a nurse. And you don't become an RN without going through 2 years of clinical rotations in which you will bed, squat, climb, reach, twist, and on and on. You will pull and push and pick up. You will need to be physically strong enough to get through all that and then work as a nurse long enough to make you worth considering for an advanced practice school program.

sailornurse · May 2, 2016

With your bachelors degree your best option is applying for direct entry into practice MSN as a NP. Are you in theBaltimore/ DC area? These programs are competitive and probably you will have prerequisites to complete but no you don't need to go through the RN and work three years or two years this is for people that have a bachelors in another field direct entry means you'll learn the basic nursing skills you may or may not get a BSN and this may take you three or four years but at your age this is probably your best route.

MomAndSonInMD · May 2, 2016

sailornurse, even though my bachelors is not in nursing? Yes, I am in the Baltimore/DC area. My family wants me to attend Hopkins, but they are just too pricey, especially since I have zero income right now as a SAHM. I like the program at UofMD too, so that is an option. But there's also community college as an option, and I feel like no matter which school you talk to, they tell you their program is the best option. I figured hearing it from nurses would be less biased. In addition to whether I can even do this at my age with my physical limitations.

If I do the 3-4 year route you speak of, that sounds about right since RN would be 2 years and NP later would be another 2 years. So doing them all together to go straight to NP would make sense at 4 years, if that's really an option. But how do you gain work experience so you're employable after all that school? Should I take a CNA course then work as a CNA while I'm in school to be an NP? Four years straight is a long time to not have a job, but it would be nice to knock it all out in one shot.

I suppose I'm trying to get a good idea of how I should approach earning my NP and also what the physical demands would be at each stage of that process. Thank you again.

Extra Pickles · May 2, 2016

Being a nursing assistant is one of the most physically demanding jobs you'd do in your life just fyi. don't know if you'd be employable in your area as an NP with no nursing experience but I guess you'd have to do some legwork and figure that out first.

MomAndSonInMD · May 2, 2016

Extra Pickles, I appreciate the feedback. That's what I was thinking about CNA too. Sadly, I have unofficial CNA experience but that doesn't count for much since I was caring for elderly in their home with no certs, etc. I couldn't do that now, all the lifting, bathing, etc that I did then.

The geneticist that worked closely with my pregnancy had been wheelchair bound since she was a child. If she can practice medicine, there has to be a way. I just need to figure out how to get there. I am very smart, graduated with high honors from an honors university with my bachelor's.

I need to find a way to use my brain and heart to help people. It can't be just all lifting and pushing.

roser13, ASN, RN · May 2, 2016

The "lifting and pulling" isn't necessarily in the NP position that you would gradually obtain. It's on the road to obtaining that position. Whether as a student nurse or earning your stripes as an RN, lifting and otherwise strenuous work/long hours are unavoidable.

The MD comparison is false, simply because the MD's never go through any type of rotation/training/school where the physical labor is required. That's because nurses do it.

I'm not trying to stomp on your dreams, honestly. Just want you to have a realistic view of the path to advanced practice nursing.

littlepeopleRNICU · May 2, 2016

The "lifting and pulling" isn't necessarily in the NP position that you would gradually obtain. It's on the road to obtaining that position. Whether as a student nurse or earning your stripes as an RN, lifting and otherwise strenuous work/long hours are unavoidable.
The MD comparison is false, simply because the MD's never go through any type of rotation/training/school where the physical labor is required. That's because nurses do it.
I'm not trying to stomp on your dreams, honestly. Just want you to have a realistic view of the path to advanced practice nursing.

What roser said. Your geneticist was able because she was never required to do what nurses will in school, from a physical aspect. Even as a physically healthy, 22 year-old, my body HURT after many shifts when I first got out in the nursing world.

What I would do if I were you, is call the schools whose nursing programs you are interested in. I say nursing programs because even if you don't choose to get an ADN or BSN first, and go direct entry, these programs still typically make you go through earning a nursing degree and having clinical time through their programs first. Explain your physical limitations to them and ask if they felt you would be suitable. I have seen a couple of nurses at work who are wheelchair or cane bound. I do not work with them or know them, so I have no idea how limited their abilities are, or how long they have been that way...but they had to start somewhere too. If this is what you really want to do, it's worth a shot to ask.

About not having nursing experience when you graduate...hate to say this, but join the club. There are many, many students going to NP school now with no nursing experience whatsoever. Either through direct entry, or fresh out of nursing school. I feel like the majority of NP students do have some experience, but with it becoming a gluttonous career choice and schools lowering admission standards to include no bedside experience needed, there are a lot of students who have never functioned as an independent nurse. Whether or not that will be a hindrance to you, will depend on where you apply and your location.

As far as the physical labor comparing NPs to RNs, that is something that is just going to depend on your setting and you, personally. Theoretically speaking, no, it is not in the NP's role to do the physical tasks nurses do, such as baths, helping to the bathroom, turning a patient in bed, etc. on a regular basis....but I have known some to do it, simply because they know nurses are busy and want to if they are already in there with the patient. That is NOT typical.

Also, depending on your setting, chances are, you will have a ton of walking and standing involved.

MomAndSonInMD · May 3, 2016

The "lifting and pulling" isn't necessarily in the NP position that you would gradually obtain. It's on the road to obtaining that position. Whether as a student nurse or earning your stripes as an RN, lifting and otherwise strenuous work/long hours are unavoidable.
The MD comparison is false, simply because the MD's never go through any type of rotation/training/school where the physical labor is required. That's because nurses do it.
I'm not trying to stomp on your dreams, honestly. Just want you to have a realistic view of the path to advanced practice nursing.

roser, I don't think you are stomping my dreams, but thank you for being mindful. I want a realistic idea of what to expect which is why I turned to people that have already done it, you guys. It's a big risk to change careers this late in the game and as an only parent. I need to be certain I can do it. I appreciate your honesty, and everyone that has taken time out of their day to give me input.

You make a really good point about the geneticist / MDs. I had not thought of that. I'd go that route since it's what I want to be doing, but at 40yo, I'm just not loving the idea of finishing school / residency when I'm ready to retire. lol

MomAndSonInMD · May 3, 2016

What roser said. Your geneticist was able because she was never required to do what nurses will in school, from a physical aspect. Even as a physically healthy, 22 year-old, my body HURT after many shifts when I first got out in the nursing world.
What I would do if I were you, is call the schools whose nursing programs you are interested in. I say nursing programs because even if you don't choose to get an ADN or BSN first, and go direct entry, these programs still typically make you go through earning a nursing degree and having clinical time through their programs first. Explain your physical limitations to them and ask if they felt you would be suitable. I have seen a couple of nurses at work who are wheelchair or cane bound. I do not work with them or know them, so I have no idea how limited their abilities are, or how long they have been that way...but they had to start somewhere too. If this is what you really want to do, it's worth a shot to ask.
About not having nursing experience when you graduate...hate to say this, but join the club. There are many, many students going to NP school now with no nursing experience whatsoever. Either through direct entry, or fresh out of nursing school. I feel like the majority of NP students do have some experience, but with it becoming a gluttonous career choice and schools lowering admission standards to include no bedside experience needed, there are a lot of students who have never functioned as an independent nurse. Whether or not that will be a hindrance to you, will depend on where you apply and your location.
As far as the physical labor comparing NPs to RNs, that is something that is just going to depend on your setting and you, personally. Theoretically speaking, no, it is not in the NP's role to do the physical tasks nurses do, such as baths, helping to the bathroom, turning a patient in bed, etc. on a regular basis....but I have known some to do it, simply because they know nurses are busy and want to if they are already in there with the patient. That is NOT typical.
Also, depending on your setting, chances are, you will have a ton of walking and standing involved.

You ladies and men are a wealth of info. Thank you so much!

Hmm, the two of you make a really great point. I love to help people directly so I think nursing would be more rewarding (I'm just not sure that I can handle doctors getting the final say with my patients which is one reason I wanted to be a doctor lol). I have been in a caretaker role my entire life (mom was severely ill in and out of hospitals most of my childhood, then aging family, etc), so it is literally what I've been groomed my whole life to do, be a caretaker. I spent so much time in the CICU with my dearest relative that one nurse said I knew more than her (that's concerning :|). So while I would LOVE to work as a hands on nurse bedside (especially in a fast-paced shock trauma unit or in an intimate space such as ICU where I'm most comfortable, having been there so much), right now I need to think more about what can I physically do and still serve others, because my brain and my heart work just fine. :)

Considering what you both said about the geneticist, perhaps the better path would be PA since it would be through medical school vs nursing school and would have similar roles as an NP, or am I wrong? I like that with an NP you can pick your hours and aren't tied to working when the physician is working (which is helpful as a single mom).

That is a good tip to call the schools. I did call one (but only the one I want to attend, maybe I should have called more) before posting here. He handles clinicals, but said he wasn't a nurse so he couldn't answer my questions other than telling me how many hours of clinicals you do per semester at that school as an RN (UofMD). He suggested I post here.

College is a business. If people are wanting to take the courses, I can see them taking in people to fill seats. However, what is the best track to be good at your job while keeping in mind I'm not a spring chicken? lol RN then NP, not straight to NP? PA? I value your opinions since you've done it.

littlepeopleRNICU · May 3, 2016

You are right that PA school follows a different route to ultimately have similar roles in the end. One thing you might want to consider though, is that they are extremely competitive to get into. I also have never heard of a PA program online. Not saying they don't exist, or that you were going to go online route for NP, but just know you would be spending a lot of time in class, as well as a lot of clinical hours. PA programs traditionally have a lot more hours of clinical because of the lack of healthcare experience NP students usually have.

Also, another thing that you've said more than once that is a little concerning...is that you want to be an NP because of being able to choose your hours. Most NPs I know work shifts and they are full shifts. They also work when they are needed. There's always the exception to the rule, but many NPs don't have the luxury of saying, "I'm going to work 2-8PM tomorrow, but then Friday, I'm going to work 12-4PM".

I also should throw in there I haven't graduated yet. I'm still an NP student, but just basing off what I have seen from NPs I've worked with or know personally.

MomAndSonInMD · May 3, 2016

Yes, I suppose I was unclear. You are correct. I was not saying that I think NPs can say they'll have certain hours one day then another set of hours later in the week. I was referring to the medical sites comparing NP to PA and the biggest differences they mention seems to be that 1. one goes to nursing school and the other to medical school and 2. that NPs can work independent of a physician, but PAs can't, and are therefore often bound by the physician's hours (or so the medical sites say, I clearly don't know firsthand).