Can a nurse with Nicu experience get accepted to a Family NP program?

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I have 14 years of NICU experience with leadership experience. I have a 3.8 GPA from my BSN. I'm looking to broaden my focus and it's been my dream to be a nurse practioner. I want to choose family NP because of the versatility but it seems I'm being told I need adult experience. How come nurses fresh out of their BSN with little experience can get accepted but I'm bring told I need just a year of adult experience before they would look at me?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Who is telling you that you need adult experience? If it's the programs, I would keep looking for a program that values the experience you do have.

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It's the programs...I'm trying to do an online program and I know they are competitive. I've ruled out USA's program. It almost seems easier to get in CRNA school and that is more critical.

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Pick what you want to do if its FNP (probably going to work in primary care) then get into the best school you can. I am in UAB's FNP program and have a friend in USA's it is a great program and she is going to to be a great NP.

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Specializes in Emergency.

There are many, many programs I would keep looking as there will be many that will value your experience.

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Some schools are apparently not particular about experience; a couple years ago, I precepted a student for our local U graduate program. She had spent her entire career (several years) in ICU, and was now in a psych NP program. Having no psych experience whatsoever did not affect her ability to get accepted into the program.

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UAB is where I'm going to apply. I finally spoke with two people there today and they were so encouraging after hearing my work experience. They said they look at the whole picture. I'm so motivated, can't wait to apply. It sounds like a great school with professors who want to really help and teach their students.

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Have you been able to work full time and how stressful is the program?

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Specializes in NICU.

I know of two NICU nurses that are doing FNP school and haven't worked with adults. Good luck!

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

My FNP program runs the gamut of nursing experience. From home health, to NICU, to Psych Nursing, and L&D. I myself only have various forms of critical care experience. The beauty of the FNP degree is that just about all backgrounds of nursing can be beneficial. It's almost impossible as an RN to have experience in everything you will be seeing as an FNP. For example, this summer I did my peds and women's health rotations, and until I started them, I hadn't dealt with children or women's health issues since nursing school 8 years ago.

If you want to do FNP as a NICU nurse, I can't imagine a school telling you not to pursue your goals because of your experience. You may be asked why not acute or chronic PNP, just how I was asked why not ACNP, but it shouldn't limit you at all.

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I started the program working full time but cut back to part time once I started clinicals. I have fellow coworkers that are doing clinicals and still work full time though it is tough and wears on you.

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Specializes in Behavioral health.

OK. How does this FNP program justify someone who has only worked with adult patients?

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