Direct Entry GRADUATE NPs

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I'm wondering if there are any direct entry GRADUATES. There is some recent talk about where direct entry grads "go" after graduation.

If you are a recent direct-entry graduate, please post some info about your job, how long it took to get and any other items you want to mention.

Thanks!

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

Personally, I think it's because they don't post in this board. I know that DePaul has been cranking out NP's for at least 5 years. So.....they gotta be somewhere. Just maybe not here.

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To the OP: I found that it was difficult to get a position out of school although not impossible, I did get a few interviews and the position I took was most likely offered because I know some nurses at the hospital prior to applying. after working 1.5 yrs though, I have applied for a new position and have been offered 2 positions within very prestigeous pediatric hospitals (would have to relocate). I think the job market is good if you have some experience and are willing to relocate. If you are right out of school I think it helps to write a strong cover letter explaining your goals and what you will bring to the department/practice. Like others have said, things vary significantly state by state, as you will see as you apply.

To the most recent poster:

I graduated from a direct-entry program. I understand your point, and completely respect every RN who has been working in this role for their experience. I always work closely with staff nursing in the hospital when providing patient care for that reason.

I have a background in education, worked several years in a basic science lab and after observing the RN, NP, and PA (all within a hospital environment) I decided the NP role is where I would be most satisfied.

I must say most of the people I know who chose this career have in fact changed career paths, have an immpressive educational and professional history, and are anything but 'lazy'.

I went through this program because I wanted to have a foundation in nursing, rather than medicine prior to my masters preparation. I wanted a foundation in nursing that the first year would provide, and expected the latter two years to prepare me in managing illness in the pediatric population. In my opinion, the role of the RN, and that of the NP are different, it is based on this premise that those who choose this route should not be ridiculed for doing so.

I am very happy with my position as a PNP. Sadly, however I am at times wishing I had chosen a different route to have avoided such catty discussions such as this. If only we could all stand up to the plate and respect one another for what each person brings to the table, patient care would be that much better!

Sorry for the Hijack, now.. back to the OPs discussion.....

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Mvanz: I tend to agree with you that it is more likely that DE NP grads just do not visit this website as often because the programs have been around for a long time. However, I notice that both PediASL and NHavenRN seem to have graduated from the same school and both reside in the New England area. That is one area with a fairly large concentration of DE NP programs, California being the other one I can think of. However, I think both geographical areas have well established NP utilization in the mid-level provider arena. In the midwest, where we both live, I am not aware of a lot of DE programs except for the ones in Chicago. Have you tried to see if UIC can get you in touch with graduates of their program just so you can get an idea of how well they did?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I agree with Mvan and PinoyNP. I live in central IL and you can't even mention DE here because few folks have any idea of what you are talking about. Another option might be the Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nurses - they have a website and maybe can network there.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

I agree that most people in IL have no clue what DE is. Unfortunately, UIC's program is so new that the first cohort has not yet finished (It's a lengthy program of roughly 5-6 years, so....)

That's why I posted here, hoping there would be some DE graduates elsewhere...

Well, I'm definitely going to be one of them, so I'll just have to keep the site updated with what happens to DE graduates in the Midwest. LOL!

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I am very happy with my position as a PNP. Sadly, however I am at times wishing I had chosen a different route to have avoided such catty discussions such as this.

PediASL, thanks for your comments - they are really helpful. I wanted to ask you a little bit more about the above. What other route would you have taken?

My goal is to work in primary care, and do many of the things you describe in your post - diagnose and manage cases, and educate and teach patients. I am debating between NP and primary care medicine. For many reasons NP sounds a good deal more appealing (primarily because it's such a shorter route to many of the same end goals). But I am really nervous about spending a career defending myself (to physicians and nurses). I wouldn't feel satisfied at all if I felt I had to do that constantly. Is this what you're refering to? If you were starting over would you choose NP again?

Thanks.

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I am very happy with my position as a PNP. Sadly, however I am at times wishing I had chosen a different route to have avoided such catty discussions such as this.

PediASL, thanks for your comments - they are really helpful. I wanted to ask you a little bit more about the above. What other route would you have taken?

My goal is to work in primary care, and do many of the things you describe in your post - diagnose and manage cases, and educate and teach patients. I am debating between NP and primary care medicine. For many reasons NP sounds a good deal more appealing (primarily because it's such a shorter route to many of the same end goals). But I am really nervous about spending a career defending myself (to physicians and nurses). I wouldn't feel satisfied at all if I felt I had to do that constantly. Is this what you're refering to? If you were starting over would you choose NP again?

Thanks.

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I am very happy with my position as a PNP. Sadly, however I am at times wishing I had chosen a different route to have avoided such catty discussions such as this.

PediASL, thanks for your comments - they are really helpful. I wanted to ask you a little bit more about the above. What other route would you have taken?

My goal is to work in primary care, and do many of the things you describe in your post - diagnose and manage cases, and educate and teach patients. I am debating between NP and primary care medicine. For many reasons NP sounds a good deal more appealing (primarily because it's such a shorter route to many of the same end goals). But I am really nervous about spending a career defending myself (to physicians and nurses). I wouldn't feel satisfied at all if I felt I had to do that constantly. Is this what you're refering to? If you were starting over would you choose NP again?

Thanks.

I wouldn't worry so much about defending yourself. Once you have more than a year or so under your belt no one really cares what type of degree you have. You have a proven track record in giving care. The only issue that may be potentially a problem is that at some point a particular BON decides that DE NPs need extra scrutiny you might find your mobility limited (ie Excelsior for RNs).

David Carpenter, PA-C

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Flame me if you want, dont care.

But I have a really big problem with people who are getting a skip pass straight into Advanced Practice just because you went to school for it. I went to school to get my RN and yes I had clinicals while in school, but I didnt really fine tune my skills until I hit the floor. You see things over and over again and you just get a nurses intuition about things after you have done it a while. I dont trust residents as much as I would trust an attending to handle my care because they havent put in the time to know to trust what they are doing. And I love having FNPs as my GP but now I will have to question what the FNP knows versus what I know. You may have a piece of paper telling you that you know it, but I have the hours of on job experience to back up what I say. Sorry, This is just bogus to me. Quit being lazy and go for the real thing...dont be afraid of a little work!

*** I used to think like you did. That is until I realized that PA schools were turning out new grads who had never touched a patient before their PA school clinicals. These PAs pretty much do what the NPs do, they do it well on average and nobody seems to think it's strange that PAs with no previous patient care experience are providing care at an advanced (relative to RN) level.

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Mae16 - I wouldn't worry too much about what other people think; honestly, the only time I've ever come across hostility based on my coming from a DE program is here (which...just a thought...could be why there aren't a ton of DE grads frequenting this board...?)

Also, I graduated from a program that has been around for about 30 years, so not all DE programs are brand new...and that could definitely be contributing to the response I get from employers and other clinicians, since I'm staying here in the New England area - there has been plenty of time since the program started for our grads to enter the work force and prove themselves. And it of course helps to live in an area where there is already greater utilization of the NP role.

I definitely agree that getting in touch with grads from your school or other schools in your area would be the way to go to figure out what the job market will be like, if you're planning on staying there when you graduate.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
Mae16 - I wouldn't worry too much about what other people think; honestly, the only time I've ever come across hostility based on my coming from a DE program is here (which...just a thought...could be why there aren't a ton of DE grads frequenting this board...?)

Indeed! You may be right about this. I'm entering January 2008, and have experienced enough hostility that I don't post much anymore:o. I resort to PM's when I see an interesting post or want to make a comment because there is a lot of hostility.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Indeed! You may be right about this. I'm entering January 2008, and have experienced enough hostility that I don't post much anymore:o. I resort to PM's when I see an interesting post or want to make a comment because there is a lot of hostility.

*** That's stupid and terrible. Nobody should face hostility simply because of the education rout they have chosen. Why do nurses inflict this hostility on each other? I have seen hostility toward new grad RNs and travel nurses for no reason other than they are new or because they are travelers. It's no wonder to me that there are so many nurses who are not practicing nursing.

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