Has anyone obtained their degree for FNP/PNP but never practiced?

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I have a question? I completed a Master's in NP program back in 2009 and passed my certification exam for a pediatric specialty. One thing however, I never did anything with that degree. There were many reasons such for not pursing that career as fear of not liking my career and wanting to travel (travel nurse). I still enjoyed being a bedside RN because the hours were flexible and I felt comfortable in my position to be honest. While in school, I noticed many of the NP's that I followed in clinicals stated that they were not completely satisfied in their career and would have rather just stayed at bedside. That was one big factor in discouraging me, and I also wanted to maintain 12 hour shifts as opposed to 9-5.

Now that a few years have gone by, I wanted to pursue this new career path in NP. I have applied but because of no experience, I never received a call back. In addition, I have one year left until my certificate expires. I'm noticing that most positions are now requiring Family so I decided to return for my post masters.

As anyone obtained a NP degree but never did anything with it? Did you decide to return and pursue a career in it and how difficult was it? were their jobs willing to hire with no experience?

thanks!

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Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

My er educator did a fnp program and graduated. He never sat for his boards due to enjoying the educator position he got upon completion of his MSN

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Okay thank you. Will he ever sit for boards or just continue teaching? I notice there are many avenues with my MSN so I will look into that..

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

If you want to maintain your certification, you have to do clinical hours at the advanced practice level. volunteer hours count.

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WOW! I did not know volunteer hours counted? I can't do clinical hours if no one is hiring...:-(

Thank YOU!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I am an FNP student with 1 year left that started a thread about this very topic a while back. I am not sure I want to be an NP, but I want to complete my program. I am not really sure what I am going to do upon graduation, so just know that you aren't the only one to do an NP degree and not use it right away

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Well I think you have more options has an FNP. I was limited with pediatrics.... I did not want to be stuck in a clinic but now that a few years has gone by, I notice more hospital and urgent care positions are being created. I have some friends that did the Walgreens -CVS route , teachers, and also CNS.. I am happy to have obtained my Masters though

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Yes! it's different from state to state too. I got my FNP in California...and worked for 2 months then took a travel position. I too loved the flexible 3-12hr schedule. Moved from state to state and ended up 4 years later in a state that in order to get license, I needed to take my national certification (in the state of Ca you don't need your ANCC to get licensed). I can use my MSN to be an educator or CNS but some position require you to have your APRN to be in these roles, some don't depend on your institution. I am stuck in between a rock and a hard plate now. I love my current employment but I need to be license as an APRN to be in an advance practice role. If I go back to my old employment, I wouldn't need to. I have decided the best thing to do is to get nationally certifided and get licensed. Now I have to take my FNP boards and since I have been out of school for almost 10 years, it's hard to study for something that you really haven't done. I have glad i did my FNP instead of any other speciality because it is more flexible and employers are more willing to hire someone with no experience. Good luck to you!

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Wow! I didn't know you need your ANCC. Maybe I can go there lol Wow so you graduated 10 years ago? working as FNP or bedside Nurse? I wonder if there are refresher courses..hmm

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

I also had a friend that became a PNP and took her boards and passed a few years ago and she still does bedside nursing and never practiced as a NP. She loves bedside nursing and won't be leaving it anytime soon...i don't think she has ever looked for NP jobs. She's still doing what she loves and i admire her for that. Me on the other hand cannot wait to complete my NP program in dec and start looking for a job...LOL Bedside nursing doesn't make me happy as it once did. Good luck with your search and keep trying i'm sure you will find something and the bonus to that is that jobs wont have to wait for you to complete your boards because you already have it.

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Specializes in neuro, icu, pacu.

Here's a good one for you: I graduated MSN/FNP 20 years ago, passed boards, got liscensed and was applying for jobs when I became ill. I managed to keep up with my RN job, but I couldn't do more than that. So.......I never practiced as FNP. I let my certification lapse because no hours,(there was not a continuing ed option to renew att that time) and just tried to forget about it. However, I was thinking about it last year, and still wanted to do it. There is the 150 credit hours recertification option, so I started studying (240 credit hours)and this year I passed the ANCC boards(again). Will I be able to get a job????

I have no idea. I am in the process of looking. So far, it doesn't look too promising.

I will say, the recertification with 150 hours and no clinical thru ANCC is much easier than retaking the test, so don't let lack of clinical hours keep you from renewing.

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