BSN grad: grad school or work?

[lilboboxox]

Hello,

I'm a senior nursing student who will be graduating in May 2006. My question is, do you suggest a new grad work first or go directly into graduate school?

A lot of the schools I'm looking at requires a R.N. license to apply, does that mean working experience is a must to apply to graduate schools?

Please reply and let me know. I'm so confused, thanks!

[nursekc]

I know when I was looking into schools for my RN-BSN. A lot of schools required me to have my RN license before they would even give me the time of day. I was wanting to get more information and get applications while I finished my senior year for my associate degree. Out of the 2 schools I was seriously considering one required you have one year of RN experience before applying to the program. My plan for that school was to work on my pre-reqs. while working for that year. I did end up deciding to attend the school that did not require me to have RN experience. But I did have to have my RN license.

[jjjoy, LPN]

If one is planning to work in outpatient family practice primary care, then I don't see that acute care hospital experience as a nurse would help all that much. The skills being used would be so different and the patients at a very different point in their health journey. Certainly, having experience at the bedside would be useful for the FNP in this role but would it be NECESSARY to do their job as an FNP? I don't see it - though feel free to educate me otherwise. On the other hand, if one wanted to be a CNS or acute care NP, then the acute care bedside experience would seem much more relevant and fundamental to that kind of advanced practice role.

[yellow finch, BSN, RN]

Funny... this post is over 2 years old. I wonder how the OP has turned out? :)

[SarasotaRN2b]

I guess in some ways it depends on what NP specialty you are looking for. A NNP program usually requires at least a year experience in a level 3 NICU, more preferably.

Kris