Direct entry route?

[mimicarey]

Hi all. I am highly interesting in becoming an NP. I have a degree in a health field, and have decided going back to become an NP is what I want. After telling my girlfriend this-she works as a PA for a medical specialty group that hires NPs as well, she informed some of her coworkers of my plans, while making small talk. My girlfriend is now a bit in doubt, I can make a living off going the direct entry route. She only goes by what she is told as she is not a NP. All the NPs at her job were RNS, thus their view of someone who does not have their BSN is a bit skewed they state clinicals are important prior to being an NP and the direct entry NPs fall short. Any positive advice on how to educate my girlfriend so she knows this is the best choice for us long term, and how it can be done would be beneficial. She is supporting me but of course mentions what her coworkers tell her and also, a friend mentioned a lady she plays rec softball with is an NP, and did a bridge program, so I'm suppose to get in contact with her soon. It seems this lady had two degrees before deciding to go back and get her NP. I was planning on working as an RN once in the direct entry program and work until I graduate, if accepted to gain experience. Although I don't think the lady from softball who did the bridge program did, from what friend said. Any stats on clinical NPs and direct entry NPs and their job market outlook? Can direct entry NPs be successful? Does having RN background matter or is it the NP experience that counts? Thanks all.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Listen to your girlfriend. Advanced Practice Nurses should have actual years of practice under their belts. Thus, the advanced practice in their title. While direct entry programs do exist, their graduates do not always find it easy to gain employment.

As an RN, I would never allow my practice to be supervised or directed by one with no nursing experience.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Direct entry routes are few and far in between. Did you check and make sure there is an actual program near you? Also, you have more options for money if you become an RN and get some experience in some form first. As a case in point, one of the NPs considered becoming per diem at one of my jobs because they found out how much money I was making due to low staffing pay in the ER. Pretty much in an area where somewhere in 20-30 is normal pay, I am making 60 bucks due to short staffing. So even 1 year experience may allow you to have options down the road if you wanted to earn extra cash for something.

A friend who is an NP but took an additional RN job because she fills close to two large freezers each week because her athletic kids eat too much food. An NP in the ER picks up shifts now and then as an RN because the group and the facility is okay with it.

There are also more options for schooling. I found it was even cheaper to get my BSN as a BSN was around 5-8k and the RN to MSN programs were 10-20k more than the regular MSN. Having a year or three experience will help too. If you become an critical care RN you may choose to become an CRNA instead.

Also, just getting the experience may change your mind about the NP. RNs are unique because we can really do anything that we want. A friend and I were talking about an ex I had recently and I remember my ex said "we could work together!" I pointed out that nope, I could easily change my job from being in the ICU at the time to working in the ER, OR, labor and delivery, doctor office, ambulance, jail, infusion center, etc. Basically, you have countless options as a RN. As an advance provider or PA, you are more defined in those roles.

You will get hired. However, you may not be hired into your dream spot right away which is true for RNs. Being able to move or willing to drive will increase the odds of you getting hired.