College Graduate Hoping to becomg NP (Help!)

[Phikhanh]

Hello!

This summer I graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. I love patient interaction and was looking into a career in nursing, specifically as an NP. I've done a fair amount of research online but am still unclear about a few things. I would greatly appreciate any help!

1. After already getting a BS in BioSci, do I apply to a BSN program or an MSN program?
   
2. How many years of experience as a RN is recommended before applying to be a NP?
   

Thank you so much in advance :)

[AbeFrohman, BSN, RN]

Why don't you just go to UC Davis Physician Assistant program and save yourself some time? I imagine you have all if not most of the prereqs. Even if you do go into nursing, I would still do the UC Davis dual PA/FNP track. Great training.

To answer your questions

1. Apply to an accelerated BSN

2. I recommend 1 year, but if you do the UC Davis dual FNP/PA I say jump right in. They have plenty of clinical hours to prepare you.

[SFNP127]

1. Your best bet as someone already having an undergraduate degree is likely to be either

A. as the other reply said, apply for an accelerated BSN program, get your experience, then apply for your masters separately, or

B. apply to direct entry programs (those for which you're accepted to the BS and MS nursing degree programs together. They are usually somewhere in the 3 year long range. Once you get your BS/BSN (or pass the NCLEX as not all programs will actually award you the BS degree, some may simply give you the MS/MSN when you're done with the entire program but once you finish all the appropriate elements of the program you can sit for the NCLEX) you can start working as a nurse while you complete the rest of the program.

2. The above being said, some masters specialties (particularly the acute care programs) will require you to 'step out' for a year, or do a 'residency' lasting anywhere from several months to a year before you're allowed to continue in the program. With that plus whatever work you do while in the masters you'll likely rack up about 2+ years of RN experience by the time you graduate. This will be enough for some people and not enough for others.... I can't speak specifically about primary care oriented programs, but I do know that you can often do those programs part time (many acute care programs won't allow this) so may be able to rack up even more RN experience prior to graduation.

Good luck!

[aggie313]

I'd also recommend going for the elmsn FNP programs. They don't require 2000+ hours of paid HCE and have less applicants than PA schools.