Can I go directly into a Nurse Practitioner program?

[lotsofsunshine]

Hi All,

This might seem like a dumb question but I've been getting mixed answers. I already have a BS in Biological Sciences and my MPH, I've done a ton of volunteer work in medical offices. My undergrad GPA is pretty low but my MPH is decent. I was planning on maybe taking some more undergrad classes to boost my GPA. I have been thinking about nursing for a while but don't want to rush into anything and make any commitment just yet before I'm absolutely sure this is what I want to do. :)

Anyhow, I know there is an accelerated BSN program for those who already have a BS/BA... is there something where you can go directly from BSN to MSN (continuous schooling)?? I heard that you must have nursing experience under your belt before you can think about becoming an NP.

Thanks in advance!! :)

[Jessicias85]

as far as I know you can go straight through. Each school is different so the school that you choose my require some prior experience

[BellsRNBSN]

There are some entry level (EL) MSN programs out there - at least I know of one or two in southern CA, not sure about other states. These require you to have a bachelor's degree in anything other than nursing and during the program, you get your BSN, and by the time you finish, you get your MSN. So Google 'EL-MSN programs' in your state and see what you can find.

However, like you said, I think you do have to have nursing experience before you can become an actual NP, so you would have your MSN at the end of an EL-MSN program, but you would not yet be a NP. Hope this helps!

[Bob_N_VA]

Lots of folks ask the same question, can I go through this accelerated program and come out in x number of years with an advanced degree and be a NP or CNA or something along those lines. Unfortunately, Nursing is very much a hands on, OJT type of profession, and until you spend some time on the floor doing the actual job, getting the experience, shooting for the moon as a NP is just not realistic. There are accelerated programs out there, but they tend to be heavy on theory and classwork and lighter on clinicals and the little bit of feedback I have picked up around here is that they are very intense and not for the feint of heart.

Whatever program you are interested in, should be able to tell you whether they require experience in a critical care setting and if so, for how many years. That would be the question I would ask. Let us know what you find out. Good Luck.

Bob

[Freedom42]

Can you go directly into an NP program with a bachelor's degree in bio and no experience in nursing? Yes. Your other master's degree, though obviously helpful, is not relevant in terms of credits accrued.

What you're looking for is called an entry-to-practice program, or ETP. There are scores of them. All of the top nursing schools offer them now. In most cases, they run for three years. You go in with a BS in another subject and come out with a master's in nursing that qualifies you to sit for an NP exam. You do not, however, typically earn a BSN in these courses, even though you cover the same material. The ETP students at the university I attend must sit for the NCLEX at the end of their fifth semester in order to continue.

You do not need to have experience as a registered nurse to be admitted to these programs. That said, it helps tremendously. I did an accelerated BSN, took a year off, then went into an NP program. My skill set is very different than that of those who came in as ETP students. In my experience, their mindset is that they function as health care providers, not in the nurse's role, and they don't really grasp what the role of the RN is. (I didn't fully appreciate it when I started out as a BSN, either.) What most of the ETPs in my program do is pass the NCLEX, then work one or two nights a week -- typically in long-term care -- while pursuing their master's degrees.

In making this decision, I think it helps to know in what setting you might want to work after you complete your degree. For me, that's acute care in an emergency department. My adviser urged me to go for my accelerated BSN and get hospital experience under my belt before pursuing my NP. Why? Because no hospital is going to hire an NP without experience, no matter how good a program she comes from. On the other hand, if you're interested in primary care, you don't necessarily need the experience of acute care. Does it help? Always. By the way, either route takes about the same amount of time -- three years -- presuming you're going to school full-time.

[tsipareht]

Any recommendations on schools that allow BSN-RN without any work experience to apply directly into their FNP programs?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

You can definitely get in to such a program but the question is whether it is advisable to do so. I am in such a program now and most of the job listings that i see for NP's require 3-5 years experience as an RN, minimum. So getting the schooling and the license is one thing, being able to find a job afterwards as an NP is another.