Hello to all!!! I have worked as a parmamedic for 20 years, have a B.A. in Economics, and I wanted to advance my career in healthcare. I was originally looking to pursue the PA route, but for certain practical reasons (including my union not helping to pay for it) I have been looking at other options, nursing/NP.
I was very excited to learn of a school near me that has a combined BSN/NP program for people with non-nursing bachelor degrees. I was about to start looking deeper into this program when a good friend of mine who is a member of an interview committee at a nearby hospital told me that I shouldn't do the program because I would have trouble getting a job.
The reason stated was because I wouldn't have been seen as having "paid my dues" as a nurse first.
Is this true?
I could understand why someone might feel that way about someone who went through this type of program never having worked in healthcare before. However, I like to think that to a certain degree I've paid my dues (I know it isn't nursing, but from a time in healthcare perspective).
My friend did say that I might be considered an exception to that rule. The program is at a VERY well known school and I was told by my friend even then it wouldn't matter. I was wondering what people here thought regarding this topic.
i also know a nurse that did it, got her BSN and went straight into FNP... i guess the positive thing about that is that she never learned any "bad habits"
13 yrs experience in ccu and ed has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and fine tuned my assessment skills... i have obtained an ability to discern the finer subtleties that can accompany diverse populations and presentations. i cannot imagine that i would be nearly as competent when finishing my fnp if i had went straight from bsn to msn without it.
i am finding that the fnp program i am in builds on the assumption that you have a certain amount of experience... there is a vast difference in studying about the presentation of a dissecting aortic aneurysm and "knowing" one when a patient presents with "feeling kind of weak and a sharp pain between my shoulder blades, but i have been working in the yard and may have a pulled muscle"
I graduated from the Vandy program, however I had several years of nursing experience before I started it. I'll admit, I had never heard of a direct entry NP program until I went there. One of the direct entry students who graduated with me lives in the same city and she is doing extremely well. I would put her up against several experienced RN/NPs ANY DAY! Experience does NOT equal expertise!
Like you say here's one (1) example. However, we're talking Bell curve. There are always those brilliant outliers. I know since I'm one.
Believe me when I say my physician preceptor is glad I have gray hair on my head.
Effectively how much nursing experience do you need before you start an NP program? Also, if an RN/BSN had an MBA with one year experience would she be marketable as and NP after her 3 plus years in school part time? Thanks
Probably depends on the job you're looking for. I want clinical positions only so my MBA probably doesn't impress anyone in that arena. It also depends on how you use your experience. For ex, if you're a nurse on a floor, when you read a physician's notes and he records heart or lung sounds, or describes a mass somewhere, go right behind him/her and listen and feel. Know all your drugs and ask questions why one versus another. Anticipate what you would do if you were seeing the patient as an NP, then compare with what the doc does. You can get valuable experience quickly if you work it right.
Probably depends on the job you're looking for. I want clinical positions only so my MBA probably doesn't impress anyone in that arena. It also depends on how you use your experience. For ex, if you're a nurse on a floor, when you read a physician's notes and he records heart or lung sounds, or describes a mass somewhere, go right behind him/her and listen and feel. Know all your drugs and ask questions why one versus another. Anticipate what you would do if you were seeing the patient as an NP, then compare with what the doc does. You can get valuable experience quickly if you work it right.
is a vast difference in studying about the presentation of a dissecting aortic aneurysm and "knowing" one when a patient presents with "feeling kind of weak and a sharp pain between my shoulder blades, but i have been working in the yard and may have a pulled muscle"
just mho!
hmm, of the "three" i have seen in over a decade, the presentation was always the same. some ems guy sitting on his chest pumping away to no avail as they roll them into the room. i had not been so lucky to see/assess one with a chance in hades and still awake.
Hmm, of the "three" I have seen in over a decade, the presentation was always the same. Some EMS guy sitting on his chest pumping away to no avail as they roll them into the room. I had not been so lucky to see/assess one with a chance in hades and still awake.
Last month, 63 yo male.. presented with those complaints.. granted it was a 3.5 cm "leaking" aneurysm....
But true.. most don't have a chance in hades as you put it... trying to make a point...
Graduates of direct entry MSN/NP programs do not have to take entry level RN positions. I know graduates who have quickly found NP positions. In my experience, those who are most successful are those with previous healthcare experience(Paramedicine, military medics, etc). I suspect that the job market for an NP without RN experience will depend on the area in which the individual is searching.
It is my own opinion that NP programs should admit only experienced healthcare professionals.
Often those complaints are worked up as a simple cardiac vs musc/skel screen. There was an angel sitting on his shoulder no doubt. Good catch.
I would love to take credit but.... I was working in the ED at the time and good ole Doc W gets the credit.. but to pat myself on the back, had already ordered the CT before ole Doc laid eyes on the man... .
subee, MSN, CRNA
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Nor did she learn any "good habit."