Does years of experience matter?

allnurses Guide · Nov 3, 2017

This is a hot topic and you will find a ton of opinions if you do a little search on here. There have been multiple threads in the very recent past. Good luck whatever you decide.

AJJKRN · Nov 3, 2017

I'll chime in for nurse educator since I don't believe this topic is touched upon often here and I one day would like to work in staff development in some way.

IMHO...

I think at the least three to five years of experience should be obtained first.

If it is for a role such as quality or with the general education department at a larger entity than any nursing experience would be ideal as long as it is in the general type of nursing the educator will be focusing on as in hospital versus clinic (if it's a small business than all bets are off...).

If it's say in a unit educator role then the experience should reflect that of the floors if at all possible.

I personally feel like five plus years of nursing experience should be obtained in the most applicable area well before entering any NP or CRNA program FWIW.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 3, 2017

I'll chime in for nurse educator since I don't believe this topic is touched upon often here and I one day would like to work in staff development in some way.
IMHO...
I think at the least three to five years of experience should be obtained first.
If it is for a role such as quality or with the general education department at a larger entity than any nursing experience would be ideal as long as it is in the general type of nursing the educator will be focusing on as in hospital versus clinic (if it's a small business than all bets are off...).
If it's say in a unit educator role then the experience should reflect that of the floors if at all possible.
I personally feel like five plus years of nursing experience should be obtained in the most applicable area well before entering any NP or CRNA program FWIW.

I was going to chime in and say the same thing, but you said it better.

ProfessorD · Nov 3, 2017

Thank you. I have been looking for research related to patient outcomes for those cared for by NPs with little to no RN experience. I haven't pinpointed any just yet. I know this is a very hot topic, but is it evidence based that patient outcomes are better with experienced RNs who become NP? Or is it just the culture of nursing to correlate experience with ability to practice effectively in an advanced role?

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2017

I don't think it is just the culture of nursing to correlate experience with ability to practice effectively in an advanced role, there are several professions that require experience before moving forward ie pilots, surgeons. Also, Benner's novice to expert model can be apply to more than nursing.

ProfessorD · Nov 3, 2017

Dishes,

Would the new NP or nurse educator not be considered as a novice within that specialty regardless of prior RN experience?

wondern, ASN · Nov 3, 2017

:yes: Yes! In answer to your original question , 'Does years of experience matter?"

At least 5 years of full-time experience sounds reasonable. :bookworm: :artist:

ProfessorD · Nov 3, 2017

Thank you.

In your opinion why is 5 years of full time RN experience the magic number?

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2017

Dishes,
Would the new NP or nurse educator not be considered as a novice within that specialty regardless of prior RN experience?

Yes, they would be considered a novice within that specialty, but someone who has taken histories and physically assessed thousands of patients while working as a RN for 5 years, will be better able to recognize subtle nuances and have better ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, than someone who assessed the minimal number of patients required to graduate from a NP program. .

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2017

Thank you.
In your opinion why is 5 years of full time RN experience the magic number?

After 5 years of experience in the same area most nurses reach the expert stage, they are more intuitive and better able to zero in on patient problems and solutions, than someone who has experience at the advanced beginner or competent stage.

Ben_Dover · Nov 4, 2017

Yass, of course!

Years of experience combined with common sense and a good education will trump any non-experienced Registered Nurse even if they are summa cum laude title holder. :sarcastic:

At times, these proud, bold, and beautiful summa cum laude holders can be frowned upon and actually have been frowned upon.

My advice to these students, new grads, and new RNs keep it simple and don't think you know it all just because that's what the text book had told you so.

P.s.

BTW... I just noticed this is my 200th post! I'm normally on car forums and dating websites. I didn't think I'd enjoy allnurses this much. I can't believe it. :roflmao: