Direct entry to NP or RN to NP?

futureeastcoastNP · Feb 19, 2014

You mean you've been actively looking for an RN job for 5 years??

allnurses Guide · Feb 19, 2014

I did Bridge program that allows me to do the BSN equivalent then go straight into the Master's component, the APN Specialty. I am wondering about other's experience and wisdom in this: Is it better to have experience for a few years as a Nurse, before becoming a NP. Have any direct entry NP( gone straight into NP work without prior RN work) had any issues or gleaned pearls of wisdom, or regrets or advice. I decided to try working as a nurse first. big mistake, I feel, as I have YET to be allowed to work, as I do not have prior clinical experience. I am still a 'New Grad" after 5 years. )I do have some rn work, but travel assessments for insurance companies)[/quote']
It is very individualized. I graduated NP school with a dozen individuals with no prior nursing experience, all of those that made it to graduation had jobs within three months and all are quite successful. There were also several that struggled during the program without RN experience and dropped to part time or failed out.
You need to know yourself to answer the question. If you are one if those that do need the experience then that will be come evident.
I think in most all cases additional experience will help you, at least in school. Your assessments for insurance do teach good history and physical platforms I assume.

Yetzer · Feb 24, 2014

[COLOR=#003366]futureeastcoastNP. Right after graduation, no. I was acting as a Caregiver for 3-4 months for a Friend In-Passing. then continuous for 2 years. then 2+ years as a Home Care Aide and also the insurance RN position. thanks! I did get into a SNF briefly, then was downsized with half the RN staff a month late.

Yetzer · Feb 24, 2014

BostonFNP.

OK. thanks. are you saying as far as becoming an active NP or RN, as I was referring to? A bit confused.

MyOwnBlueSky · Feb 25, 2014

It is very individualized. I graduated NP school with a dozen individuals with no prior nursing experience, all of those that made it to graduation had jobs within three months and all are quite successful. There were also several that struggled during the program without RN experience and dropped to part time or failed out.
You need to know yourself to answer the question. If you are one if those that do need the experience then that will be come evident.
I think in most all cases additional experience will help you, at least in school. Your assessments for insurance do teach good history and physical platforms I assume.

Thank you for this realistic response bostonFNP. I too had the same question. I would really like to go directly into NP program after finishing BSN. Especially considering my age at 40. Thank you for the insight! This helped me so much.

myelin · Feb 25, 2014

Thank you for this realistic response bostonFNP. I too had the same question. I would really like to go directly into NP program after finishing BSN. Especially considering my age at 40. Thank you for the insight! This helped me so much.

There is no law that you must work as an RN before NP school (or during NP school). Will it help? Certainly. If you can't find an RN job should you put your life on hold if NP is your ultimate goal? I see no reason to.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I personally found my experience as a RN in the ER to be very valuable. My program requires 1 yr of experience, but most accepted students have far more than that. I also find that I learn more from my didactic classes when I have cases related to what we are learning at my work. I may only be acting as the patient's RN, but that doesn't mean I can't do the exact same assessment I expect the provider to do (time availabe of course) and try to guess what orders they will give, etc.

I'm not saying my choice is right and other choices are wrong, I'm just giving one person's experience.