Can you get into an NP program without hospital experience?

Published

I'm about to graduate from an NP program and already work as an LPN at an LTC/rehab facility, on the rehab side. I enjoy my job, and when I get my RN I'll make a very good wage. I plan to pick up some PEDS home health clients through an agency as well.

My goal is to be an FNP. When I think about the future, I wonder whether NP programs will take someone without hosital RN experience.

This is of course complicated by the fact that I'd prefer an RN to FNP program. I've been looking at Frontier.

Can you get into a good FNP program without hospital experience, or is it time for me to suck it up and take a rather large cut in pay by going into acute care?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm about to graduate from an NP program and already work as an LPN at an LTC/rehab facility, on the rehab side. I enjoy my job, and when I get my RN I'll make a very good wage. I plan to pick up some PEDS home health clients through an agency as well.

My goal is to be an FNP. When I think about the future, I wonder whether NP programs will take someone without hosital RN experience.

This is of course complicated by the fact that I'd prefer an RN to FNP program. I've been looking at Frontier.

Can you get into a good FNP program without hospital experience, or is it time for me to suck it up and take a rather large cut in pay by going into acute care?

Ah! ADN program I'm graduating from,.not an np program. Sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Frontier requires 1 year of nursing experience prior to admission to their FNP program. The website did not say that the experience must be in a hospital setting. Other schools may have different admission criteria so it's best to check with individual schools. Typically, a school's selective-ness in the admission process depends on how well known the school is and how large the volume of applicants get compared to how many student slots are open.

http://www.frontier.edu/admissions/admissions-criteria/msn-admissions-criteria

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rn experience is what counts. Long term care is still nursing. Good luck. You will only need acute care experience if you want acute care NP. LTC would be great for general NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you looking for an RN to MSN program with a specialty role of Family Nurse Practitioner? Or do you plan to first earn your BSN and then get an MSN with FNP specialty? or get a BSN and then look for a BSN to DNP with FNP specialty?

Most programs simply require experience as an RN. I don't recall ever seeing program requirements specifically say that prospective students have experience as an RN "in a hospital environment".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mary,

I'm hoping for ADN to MSN. Frontier looks appealing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, and FNP specialty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know of people who graduated from a BSN program and applied to an FNP DNP program and got in...so no it's not impossible!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion