Did your RN experience help?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 25, 2015

I'm not an FNP, but rather adult and peds CNS and yes definitely, 10 years in a level 1 trauma center, 2 years adult ICU and 1 year Peds ICU helped a lot.

I've been an APN for 9 years.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 25, 2015

Yes, for me as well. Had several years experience in L&D and the ED which was valuable as an OB-GYN NP and FNP.

elkpark · Aug 25, 2015

I'm a psych CNS, not an NP, but, yes, my previous RN experience in psych nursing helped a great deal. I was in school with direct-entry students who had worked as psych techs on inpatient units but were not RNs, and they really struggled with the program compared to myself and the other experienced psych RN in the group.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 25, 2015

Absolutely! especially for identifying the subtle diagnoses and being somewhat familiar with a large variety of medication indications, doses and reactions it was invaluable imo. I know there are some who feel competent as a new NP with no nursing experience but my opinion is that our NP programs are so heavy in nursing fluff and deficient in actual clinical competency that I can't imagine school alone being enough.

allnurses Guide · Aug 25, 2015

You should be able to look through the forums and see this same question answered many times, but you will basically see the same thing each time: there are those that say yes and those that say no or not sure. Unfortunately there is not a lot of research readily available on the topic. The most detailed recent study is listed below.

My personal and professional experience and opinion, in short:

1. It varies greatly with the individual. Some people absolutely need it, others don't.

2. It varies with the quality of your program and your preceptors.

3. It varies with what setting you experience as a nurse and the type of FNP job you ultimately take.

4. Those that have it tend to value it.

5. Personally, my RN experience wasn't a huge factor in my ultimate practice. Much more so was the quality of my program, my number of clinical hours in the provider role, my preceptors, and my mentors.

Literature:

Rich, E. R. (2005). Does RN experience relate to NP clinical skills?. The Nurse Practitioner, 30(12), 53-56.