I really need advice

Published

After stalking this website for years I've finally decided to create an account and post.

I'm currently undergoing my BSN in upstate NY and have one year left until graduation. I've been President of my school's National Student Nurses Association chapter for 2 years, earned a few 4.0's but no lower than a 3.7 any semester (GPA is 3.85), participated in several leadership conferences and have been inducted into the nursing honors society. I feel my extracurricular involvement along with my decent GPA classifies me as a "well-rounded student."

I was just offered acceptance into my college's MSN/FNP or MSN/PMHNP upon graduation, meaning I would start right after my bsn. The program is 2 years and allows students to work part or full time during the semesters so I would plan on working part time as an RN to gain experience. From leadership positions on campus and excelling in my clinical rotations I feel confident in my ability to pick up on bedside nursing manner very quickly while working part time if I do choose to go straight through. I had a full scholarship for undergrad and would come out of grad school theoretically "only" owing

I'm leaning towards FNP because I love the idea of assessing and treating patients across the spectrum whether it be inpatient or outpatient. While PMHNP has also interested me for a while, I don't like the idea of losing that stethoscope/touch & feel type of practice we're taught in nursing school.

I'd be 23 if I graduate with my FNP via this route and would have a little over 2 years of part-time RN experience. Will this make me marketable to employers? Will I even find a job with the way the new grad job market is portrayed on this website? I don't mind moving.

Thank you in advance for all feedback, whether negative or positive :bookworm:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

NP school with no RN experience. This is the reason that NP's are starting to get a bad reputation. A school that would accept a new grad into an NP program is very concerning. This is oversaturating the field and bringing in NP's with no RN experience. I suggest working full time as an RN for at least a year before applying to programs. This is why the job market will continue to worsen...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

Lol at brinksta's post. Seems hypocritical to make that argument with regard to your other posts about going to np school with 6 months experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lol at brinksta's post. Seems hypocritical to make that argument with regard to your other posts about going to np school with 6 months experience.

6 months ICU and you are coming off a neuro psych floor? LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As you can tell, most of us have opinions about the amount of experience one should have prior to undertaking the NP role. I don't think 6 months is anything to brag about, and it's pretty equivalent to being a new grad IMO. Personally, I think that being a young NP isn't the best for starting out as an NP, however, you are the age that you are with the experience that you have -- I say go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.
6 months ICU and you are coming off a neuro psych floor? LOL

Good luck in your endeavor I'm sure you will need it. Here is a quote from your last post. As everyone can see you prefer to change your story whenever it suits you.

"have a 3.4 GPA for my BSN last 60 hours. I have 3.1 overall. I have only 6 months working experience, but I did MedSurg and Psych with all different age groups during that short time? I have heard Chamberlain will accept anyone who meets min. requirements. Am I good to go?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Multiple posts have been removed. Please be mindful of the terms of service regarding personal attacks. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most CRNA schools will not accept students unless they have at least TWO years of ICU experience. It's my personal opinion that the same requirement should be standard for FNP or Acute Care CRNP or Psych NP.

I've got 20 yrs RN experience. 12 yrs in ICU and 9 of those as a certified CCRN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

You will be fine either way to be honest, you are young and your undergrad career is very solid, if possible shadow both FNP's and Psych NP's and see what you prefer. You will come across a ton of bitter people here who believe that RN experience is paramount (don't get me wrong it is very helpful to have it...but NP's and RN's do very different things) but in the end the choice should be based on what is best for you. Honestly you are going to have no problem finding work when you are done. You are young, in a big market and pretty well rounded with a solid background.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

itswild,

Back to the topic at hand I think you will be fine. You are off to a great start early on in your education. RN experience does not equal NP experience at all. In my experience the only section that the experience benefits is acute care if you plan on pursuing ACNP. FNP & PMHNP both are concerned with totally different care plans and courses of treatment compared to an inpatient perspective. My only advice is pick the hardest course load that you can handle with your current life circumstances. You will only better yourself by doing it. Do not worry so much about the $$$, in the end its pennies on the dollar in relation to your future. 23 is young compared to some professions but aligns pretty well with our PA brothers who graduate around 24-25. Keep your head high, continue to learn, and you will do great. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

solrry

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would suggest getting around two years of RN experience before starting to apply for schools. You will learn so much in those two years and a lot of it will be valuable in your future NP career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion