Did any of you get your NP position without prior RN experience?

eternity112 · Dec 31, 2014

Again everyone is different.

If RN experience was a way of "paying your dues" or acquiring experience or being essential to being a competent NP, it would have been mandatory in a form of a requirement or a required 1-2 post grad experience, similar to a residency required of MDs, DOs, and DPMs.

Again I am not commenting on how "easy" it is to adjust. I think there is no universal rule that states you need experience, however everyone is different. Some people need none, some people need some, some people need a lot.

The reality is that without some mandate on having RN experience as stated formerly, you will begin to see a rise in NPs w/o RN experience, similarly to PAs. Schools like Vanderbilt don't require any, yet that Nursing School is one of the best in the country. Maybe its because that school attracts hardworking students who are competent enough to get through that learning curve. On the other hand, an "online degree mill" that attracts low performing students who have no desire to work hard to fill in the void for the lack of RN experience that hardworking NP students and are generally academically mediocre or subpar students do fail to produce NPs that are equally competent. I think there is a lot of factors that influence the degree of RN experience an NP grad needs, and there is no blanket statement there. Too many varying factors, such as aptitude of the student, mentoring and coaching of the student, the gpa of the student, the competitiveness of the NP job market of the area etc.

I don't disagree with you that you need to develop experience so people can trust you, but its not a mandate and there are loop holes in the system. We would all love to see NPs that worked ideally 5 years as RNs.. Will that happen? No. Young RN grads and NP grads/students care more about money and promotion, the Y generation. If you don't believe that, well, alright.

Sometimes having a non-mandatory "optional" RN experience for the practice of NPs and then claiming it is essential really does nothing to improve the RN experience of NPs. I feel that the growth of NPs w/o experience is inevitable w/o some mandate. People will always look for the easiest way out and avoid working hard. People will not listen unless they are forced to, hence a need for a mandate if there is a cry for NPs to gather RN experience. And people will always bypass loopholes to get what they want like it or not. We see that everyday in our society, ex: renting basements illegally, giving illegal immigrants low paying jobs, delegating inappropriate tasks to health care workers, etc.

allnurses Guide · Jan 2, 2015

Eternity112- I disagree with your implication that Direct Entry/Masters Entry students are looking for the "easy way out". On the contrary-these programs are very challenging and time consuming, and (at least the reputable ones) only accept the cream of the crop students-students who have a proven success record in academics, work experience, and express a genuine desire and ability to work hard. My DE program was the hardest thing I've ever done, and also the most rewarding. We were held to very high standards and everyone in my cohort worked their behinds off. The last word I would use to describe my program is "easy".

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I use very little of what I learned in the RN portion of my program. It's just not relevant to my NP practice. I learned to think critically before I entered nursing through other work experience and life experience. Critical thinking is not exclusive to the nursing profession. As Boston FNP mentioned, the literature that exists does not support the perception that NPs with RN experience have better outcomes than those who do not. I think it's a perception that is stuck in many peoples' minds, but really doesn't have a basis in reality.

BirkieGirl · Jan 2, 2015

I know for ME- my 17 years as an RN have given me such a wealth of knowledge, skills, and confidence that I depend on to actually help me through school. it is interesting in my classes to see experienced nurses blurt out answers confidently and consistently when we are questioned. it is a stark contrast to those with little or no experience. I think it would be a huge undertaking to attempt NP training without nursing background. I also know that a lot of physicians that i work directly with daily (outpatient practice) will only hire NPs with extensive nursing backgrounds. no haters, just my opinion.

NurseKellyKMo · Jan 2, 2015

I am loving this thread. My ultimate goal is to be a nurse practitioner. I have recently graduated from nursing school as an LPN, and I am working towards getting accepted into the RN program. My personal philosophy is that I need to "work my way up." Partly because I want the experience of each role, and partly because I am a nontraditional poverty level individual. I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts on this matter. I feel that regardless of how we get to our goals, what matters is that we get there. I don't know about you all, but I would love to be in that top Maslows triangle, and help others get there as well.

eternity112 · Jan 2, 2015

I agree with you that RN experience is not essential.

I never said the DE programs are easy, but just because they are hard does not mean people are not looking for easy ways out. I certainly do believe they are willing to work hard, but not just to work hard for no reason, but to quickly graduate with an NP degree. You may disagree with me, but that is my opinion. Honestly IMO, I don't think anyone would work hard without some reward in the end.

But thanks for your opinion.

eternity112 · Jan 2, 2015

I am glad your 17 years have given you what you just said. You know physicians that work with NPs with extensive nursing backgrounds, I know and many other people know those that prefer those without any XP or less experience. They believe those without experience have clean slates that are capable of acquiring those essential NP tasks that make them competent NPs. I had a lot of Physicians give me offers without even graduating lol.

I don't disagree with you that your experience helps, but certainly isn't a mandate. But again, you seem to be suggesting RN experienced NPs will be more competent than newly grad NPs, yes and no. You can't honestly suggest that is a general statement, of course there are some new grad NPs that have a steep and some with narrow learning curves. But your experience is just 1 and by no means suggests that those without NP experience will not succeed, but your post suggests that. Again remember, not everyone is the same, some will succeed with xp some won't. In fact read around, those with over 5 - 15 years still struggle. Its not an RN you are training to be, its an NP profession that is different from the RN profession.

eternity112 · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks for the post.

I appreciate that you love this thread. It is great you want to be an NP and that you have great ambitions. Honestly, your goal to become an NP depends on your status. If you are truly motivated and have the money, I recommend accelerated RN and or NP programs. But you said you are looking at RN programs that is good. Remember NP programs require an RN license.

Not sure if you are wondering about the whole RN experience for the NP, its not a mandate, which says something. It depends on how much you think its essential. I certainly will have at least 1 - 1.5 years not because I think I need it, but just because I want to dismiss any doubt that I would not be an adequate NP. I certainly do not thinks its mandatory, similarly to the PA profession, its helps but is not essential.

I like that you are reading everyone thoughts, And yes what matters is how you get to our goals.

Some people need a 17 years of experience before they are confident enough to think about NP school, some need none like me but still want some just in case, and some need 5. In fact, I believe there is no way to mandate a certain amount of years.. It depends on your location, what your skills/confident level is, the employers that you want to work for.

Anyway, if you need advise on the RN profession/RN studying/NCLEX prep let me know, i made it after 75 questions .