bachelor's in another field to NP in 3 years

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Okay, I know most of you out there hate these programs but they exist. But most are a fortune. Does anyone know of any that aren't going to cost me 75 k to 100 k or more? I know there is Yale (GEPN), Vanderbilt, Univ of IL in Chicago...but all are so expensive. At 41, I don't want to go 100k in debt just to be an NP (it will take me so long to pay back and I need to save save save) but I don't want the process to take six years by going the associate to BSN (or just BSN) work for a year or two then get into an NP program part time. And yes, for those of you wondering if I really know I want to be an NP I do. I've worked in hospitals, I am an EMT, I've shadowed and volunteered at many clinics. I really appreciate any guidance. Thanks.

innatchka you must be a smart one lol. how was the teas? congrats on getting in.
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They want seasoned, experienced NPs. When an ad for an NP/etc. states a particular number of years of clinical experience, they mean experience as an NP/etc. -- same as if ads are asking for an RN with x number of years of experience, they don't mean experience as a CNA or LPN, they mean RN experience. Significant experience as an RN before returning to school might be seen as an advantage in the hiring process over someone who didn't have previous RN experience, but it wouldn't count toward a desired amount of NP experience.

Ok, went and got the Sunday paper, and really should have had my glasses on when I read this ad.

They are looking for an Assistant Director of Advanced Practice Nurses and Physican Assistants, who reports to the director.

Experience wise they want someone with five (5) years clinical in an acute care setting with three (3) or more years of "progressive management experience.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Getting clinical experience is the Key. Even if you paid 100k to do the NP in 3 years, chances are you won't get hired because you have no experience as a nurse. You gotta crawl before you can walk. You have to put time into the practice before you advance. You are setting yourself up for a major road block. 41 is not old. I am barking up the same tree and I am 1 yr into my RN nursing career. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

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nc girl rn, how do pa's get hired every day without experience once they pass their boards? np and pa often apply for the same jobs. i agree, being an rn certainly helps but you can't tell me all these people graduating from yale, john hopkins, and any other 3 year np program are not getting jobs.
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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

The forecast for nursing is changing due to the economy and how many companies have less money directed towards training new nurses. This will get better once they rebound. However, if your switching careers into nursing, one should do so carefully and with the right steps. Being an Advanced Practice Nurse, is exactly what it says! I went to the community college first, did an Accelerated RN to BSN (if you already have a BS/BA, this should be fast) and now I'm about to start my MSN/FNP program. It really helps to have as much experience as the actual nurse, and not shadowing or in a paraprofessional role. You could accomplish your goals within 5 to 6 years. Are your running away from the DNP being the entry level?? No matter the route you take, there will always be an expensive. I say pick a school based on its passing rate and reputation. It would not be worth it to have your Masters and cant get hired because you lack any nursing experience.

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Depending on what state you practice in, the rules are all different for NPs vs. PAs. PAs must have a supervisory relationship with a physician and (again, states vary) the doc must be available to consult and a certain number of charts reviewed and/or signed.

NPs work under their state's nurse practice act and may require either NO physician supervision...depending on the state, of course. NPs generally are working under much more independent circumstances than PAs. That may give a justification for having greater experience requirements. However, I think that is very market-dependent. In areas that are more rural, underserved, and in need I think the experience requirements are not as great. If you want to work in a popular urban or upscale suburban practice, you may find the requirements to be much higher since they can afford to be pickier.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
nc girl rn, how do pa's get hired every day without experience once they pass their boards? np and pa often apply for the same jobs. i agree, being an rn certainly helps but you can't tell me all these people graduating from yale, john hopkins, and any other 3 year np program are not getting jobs.

maybe you can find a job fresh out of school or maybe not. i guess you will find out once you achieve your goal. from what i have seen, most np jobs want clinical experience. at the hospital i work at they want at least 5 yrs of clinical experience. i am not saying every place is like that but a majority are. i was not trying to kill your dream but im just saying be prepared.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Getting clinical experience is the Key. Even if you paid 100k to do the NP in 3 years, chances are you won't get hired because you have no experience as a nurse. You gotta crawl before you can walk. You have to put time into the practice before you advance. You are setting yourself up for a major road block. 41 is not old. I am barking up the same tree and I am 1 yr into my RN nursing career. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

They do hire NPs who are without experience. The ones I know are placed in $60,000 positions because they are usually in a clinic where the liabilities are less. It is not in an acute hospital settings.

The NPs with experience (the ones I work alongside) are usually in the $100 plus range and work directly with the surgeons and in-house hospitalists.

I know that going for my NP I won't work as one unless base pay STARTS higher than $100 K. I wouldn't want the extra responsibilities without the pay.

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! I went to the community college first, did an Accelerated RN to BSN (if you already have a BS/BA, this should be fast) and now I'm about to start my MSN/FNP program. It really helps to have as much experience as the actual nurse, and not shadowing or in a paraprofessional role. You could accomplish your goals within 5 to 6 years.

Cheers, MC1906! This is the pathway I choose! I already have a BS, now going back for my ADN. After that I plan to do RN->BSN, and then MSN. If you get a job right after ADN, they should pay for all fo the subsequent steps, so it would be considerably cheaper than an MEPN, IMO :yeah::redpinkhe:clown:

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Salem State in MA has an accelerated program.

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You may want to look into the Cal State Long Beach program for EL-MSN that takes three years. It is pretty inexpensive as well but I am not sure of the exact costs. I believe it might be close to $32K. It is a competitive program and they are admitting students with a 3.75 or greater I guess in prerequisites. I am also considering the BSN to the MSN which is part-time or full-time and can take anywhere from 2-3 years. To make up for the RN to BSN portion there are a few additional courses such as statistics, pathophysiology, community health nursing and health assessment. This may take you a year but you can do these while working as well. So if you go any other route than an accelerated MSN, it seems like it will take at least 5-6 years. Yet, you are gaining valuable experience in the meantime and will be able to get your education without going into an extreme amount of debt.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

GAH! This is exactly why physicians continue to deride any expansion of NP privileges -- because apparently people can become an NP without sufficient clinical experience or education. It's no wonder that we (nursing) look like doofuses whenever they pull out the "comparison of educational & training requirements" arguement. We need to raise the bar for entry into NP - that's why the requirement is going up to DNP in 2015. Sheesh.

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