GN to NP in <1yr

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I read a recent post regarding new graduates who cannot find work jumping on the NP bandwagon.

At work the other day, a new grad co-worker (less than 5 months experience) launched into a bitter tirade against a well known school for having the gall to expect her to have 2 years experience, have been involved in EBP, Committees and to have precepted before being allowed to even apply to join their ACNP program.....

Mind you, this nurse can barely handle her assignment... what makes her think that the NP is going to be an easy way out of floor nursing.... The courses take time and dedication and contrary to popular belief, graduation and subsequent employment are not a given..

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thank goodness a school is stopping her it must be a good school. Attitudes like hers make me afraid where all this will end up.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Thank goodness a school is stopping her it must be a good school. Attitudes like hers make me afraid where all this will end up.

​You know what The Who said: "Hope I die before I get old."

[Dranger]

Yeah but plenty of schools will accept her anyway. Hell it seems like any new grad can get into most NP program. The problem with graduate level nursing is there are no standards across the board. There should be a minimum of 2 years inpatient experience, no exceptions.

Online programs make it even worse....

[Katie71275]

As a new grad nurse(9mos out, almost 8mos employed), who is contemplating APRN(I'm in L&D and contemplating CNM), I personally feel that I am not experienced enough to even think about it. There is SOO Much I can still learn that I think can only help in the future. That said, other APRN's have said the 2 yrs exp(or more) isn't necessary b/c a nurse and an APRN are taught to think differently.....I personally would rather real nursing experience (and a lot of it) before even thinking about it.

[Dranger]

As a new grad nurse(9mos out, almost 8mos employed), who is contemplating APRN(I'm in L&D and contemplating CNM), I personally feel that I am not experienced enough to even think about it. There is SOO Much I can still learn that I think can only help in the future. That said, other APRN's have said the 2 yrs exp(or more) isn't necessary b/c a nurse and an APRN are taught to think differently.....I personally would rather real nursing experience (and a lot of it) before even thinking about it.

False. If you seriously think that one assessment, patho and pharm class (that's the minimum for accreditation) makes you a steady provider without even a residency you (or they) really need to reevaluate your stance. Floor RN experience is very important. Just because you aren't writing orders you do anticipate them and learn from every patients diagnosis/treatment plan .

What if we took brand new MDs and said bye bye residency you are all attendings now! Think of the outcry. But no, NPs with no RN experience can be attendings the day they graduate. Makes sense...

C'mon people, we need standards...

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

This seems like a great opportunity to scrutinize my own following bias: namely, that outside of a few exceptional circumstances, new grade straight to aprn is discrediting the profession and undeserving future patients. Having said that, how does the practice of similarly prepared new PA's compare? (ie a fresh PA who's only healthcare experience is PA school) If said PA would not elicit similar nail-biting, then why? Would it be more a case of artificially inflated perception vs a tangibly superior preparation? On a related tangent, how common are PA's without prior healthcare experience overall?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Just because an individual isn't a "good"

floor nurse doesn't mean he/she won't make a good NP.

I do agree she should focus more on learning her current job but I don't fault her for aspiring to a different role.

[Wrench Party]

Good golly. Can someone explain to me why all the RNs are rushing to NP school, or c/o 2 years experience needed? It's just 2 years of your life, working 36 hrs/ week. Calm down, folks. You'll get there before you know it.

And please tell me what the field is going to do with all of these NPs? There's only so many midlevel roles available in the healthcare system.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Good golly. Can someone explain to me why all the RNs are rushing to NP school or c/o 2 years experience needed? It's just 2 years of your life, working 36 hrs/ week. Calm down, folks. You'll get there before you know it. And please tell me what the field is going to do with all of these NPs? There's only so many midlevel roles available in the healthcare system.[/quote']

First and foremost they will probably stop using the term "midlevel"

But in all seriousness, yes, there is a huge risk of a flooded NP market in the future.

[Dranger]

This seems like a great opportunity to scrutinize my own following bias: namely, that outside of a few exceptional circumstances, new grade straight to aprn is discrediting the profession and undeserving future patients. Having said that, how does the practice of similarly prepared new PA's compare? (ie a fresh PA who's only healthcare experience is PA school) If said PA would not elicit similar nail-biting, then why? Would it be more a case of artificially inflated perception vs a tangibly superior preparation? On a related tangent, how common are PA's without prior healthcare experience overall?

Most if not all PA program require medical experience namely paramedic, RN, tech etc. My local one requires 5000 hours.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Most if not all PA program require medical experience namely paramedic RN, tech etc. My local one requires 5000 hours.[/quote']

Are PA outcomes any better than NP outcomes?