Become a nurse practitioner or just stay an RN?

Julitruli69 · Jun 16, 2012

I graduated with my BSN in August 2010 and went immediately into the MSN program. I just graduated in May with my MSN and yesterday passed my AANP certification exam. People have differing opinions on working between, but I will share, my experience was that the first year of the MSN was most intimidating. You will have to work harder and review more, because you will not have had time to master all that you learned in your undergraduate program BUT you CAN do it and do it well. The other key piece of information you need to consider is that there is a move to require a DNP for NP practice by 2015. If you start now, you may possibly be able to complete your program and be grandfathered in under the old criteria. Whatever you decide, make sure you follow your passion and it will be a win for you! Good luck!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 16, 2012

hey everyone! i'm a nursing student at the university of florida graduating in a year with my bachelors degree, which of course would make me an rn. however, i'm considering applying to uf and usf for their masters programs and wanted to get some advice from people who have been in my position.
i ultimately want to work in ob or neonatal, and would like to become a certified nurse midwife if i pursue my masters. i want to know what ob/neonatal/midwife experiences you all have had from the perspective of an rn and an np. like, what your duties are, a typical day, etc.
thank you all so much!

perhaps i don't understand the question. how does graduation from the university of florida with a bachelor's degree make one an rn? i believe that even in florida, one has to pass the nclex to become an rn.

Pug RN · Jun 17, 2012

I think she means that she will be finishing her casework and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX to become an RN.

Taylordawn, my personal opinion is that I would go ahead and work on the floor and make absolutely shore that neonatal or womens health is something you absolutely want. They are two completely different worlds, and depending on which one you would go for, they are two different tracks in graduate school. Neonatal ICU is one of the most rewarding, but emotionally difficult jobs you could EVER do. I thought I wanted to do it forever, spent 6 years as a NICU nurse, and realized that I just get too close to the job when it comes to those little bits and their families. So I am very glad that I didn't push right through to be an NNP. I would have been miserable and burned out emotionally way to quickly.

Along the lines of labor and delivery, etc. This is another specialty that you should really give some time to before you jump into that much more school. There are many, many nurses that think it is what they want to do, but once they get into it they realize that they hate it. If you go immediately into midwife training, and realize you don't love it as much as you thought after you give it time, you are pigeon holed in.

So, do what is best for you, but I strongly suggest giving it at least a year to see if you really like what you think you are going to like while you're in school. It can change dramatically after you get onto the floors.

Best wishes in whatever you decide. These are just my thoughts and advice after 15 years as an RN and 2 as an LPN.

babyNP., APRN · Jun 17, 2012

Sorry, big pet peeve of mine, but there is NOT a requirement to get a DNP by 2015. It is ONLY a recommendation. Only individual state BON can make it a requirement and considering that people without masters degrees can be licensed to be NPs, I highly doubt that DNPs will be making any big waves right now.

caliotter3 · Jun 17, 2012

perhaps i don't understand the question. how does graduation from the university of florida with a bachelor's degree make one an rn? i believe that even in florida, one has to pass the nclex to become an rn.

after reading the post, my question. before "just" staying an rn, i would think one needs to "become" an rn.