Is age just a number?

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychiatry.

Oddly enough I've received more negative feedback from other NPs, CNSs, and RNs for obtaining my DNP degree at 27 years old than I have from other colleagues (I.e physicians, psychologists, PT/OT and PAs). I've been passionate in psych nursing since my BSN program. I decided to get my minor in psychology and was then accepted into the DNP program before even graduating with my BSN. My first nursing job was Neuro ICU, then I briefly worked as a SANE nurse and then I worked in various psychiatric settings (including emergency psych). I do only have 5 years of nursing experience but personally I feel as though my passion and interest really pushed me to learn more and more. What are your thoughts on young RNs who have pursued or are pursuing graduate degrees with little experience? Is age just a number? Or is it an important factor in advanced nursing?

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Age is absolutely just a number. I actually have a friend that got into a DNP program before even graduating from undergrad surprisingly. She is 23 with only a year of nursing experience under her belt. I say go for it!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Age is absolutely just a number. I actually have a friend that got into a DNP program before even graduating from undergrad surprisingly. She is 23 with only a year of nursing experience under her belt. I say go for it!

I can't believe this is acceptable actually regardless of the person's age and yet another reason my family doesn't see NPs for their medical care. What a shame the schools have become so money grubbing.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychiatry.

Well NPs don't provide medical care anyway so that's a good thing :-P but yes these programs really promote the end product but don't tell you how difficult it is to get there (financially and not well instructed clinically or in lecture). I honestly felt lost at times and was able to successfully complete my capstone project without any assistance which was supposed to be provided. Ugh :(

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@jules - surprised you said this. Saddened too. Many of my family members have NPs/PAs as their PCP. I provide (now thanks to CMS) primary care to dialysis pts. Many preferred me over the doc as they say I "talk their language." I have to say that the physicians in my practice are excellent and provide great care. However, as we all get pushed to do more and more in less time, I foresee a time when NPs will be just as stressed as MDs. I worked 15 hours yesterday and 12 hours today and unfortunately this is becoming the norm..

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Well NPs don't provide medical care anyway so that's a good thing :-P

You bring up an interesting point. Personally I feel I do provide medical care. Like psychGuy said I have nurse in my NP title but thats about all. I'm in a role identical to my psychiatrist peers and strive to provide the same quality of medical care as the physicians.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
@jules - surprised you said this. Saddened too. Many of my family members have NPs/PAs as their PCP. I provide (now thanks to CMS) primary care to dialysis pts. Many preferred me over the doc as they say I "talk their language." I have to say that the physicians in my practice are excellent and provide great care. However, as we all get pushed to do more and more in less time, I foresee a time when NPs will be just as stressed as MDs. I worked 15 hours yesterday and 12 hours today and unfortunately this is becoming the norm..

It makes me sad also but knowing how inferior our education is as compared to the knowledge a physician graduates with there is no way I'd consider a NP or PA when I can see a MD for the same price. I think I'm a skilled clinician and every bit as good as the average psychiatrist however if a friend or their family member needed care and had the option to see me or one of the excellent psychiatrists I know there would be no competition and I would recommend they see the Doc. You sound amazing and I know a few NPs who are also but they are few and far between in my experience. The truth is I don't want someone who speaks my language, I'd prefer a ridiculously intelligent near Asperger's type bad ass Doc than an empathetic NP who wants to hold my hand because they need to make up for their deficient education by being extra nice.

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Well NPs don't provide medical care anyway so that's a good thing :-P

My primary care provider is an FNP. Can you tell me what you mean by this? (This is a sincere question.) She is probably the best health care provider I've ever been to, and she definitely provides medical care.

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
Oddly enough I've received more negative feedback from other NPs, CNSs, and RNs for obtaining my DNP degree at 27 years old than I have from other colleagues (I.e physicians, psychologists, PT/OT and PAs). I've been passionate in psych nursing since my BSN program. I decided to get my minor in psychology and was then accepted into the DNP program before even graduating with my BSN. My first nursing job was Neuro ICU, then I briefly worked as a SANE nurse and then I worked in various psychiatric settings (including emergency psych). I do only have 5 years of nursing experience but personally I feel as though my passion and interest really pushed me to learn more and more. What are your thoughts on young RNs who have pursued or are pursuing graduate degrees with little experience? Is age just a number? Or is it an important factor in advanced nursing?

Haters gonna hate! :cheeky:

That's what I say to that. Follow your passions and your dreams, don't let the opinions of others hold you back.

On a more personal note, the CNM that delivered me was an RN for 5 years and then became a midwife and had a year of experience practicing before I saw her. I had the most perfect birthing experience and she caught my Hashimoto's when my MD was gaffing off the idea that I had thyroid issues. That was my first experience with an NP in general and now almost all my care providers are NPs, some young and some older. They all rock.

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I would agree. I see it too often. People go back to school with less than a year of experience in a lot of cases

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In my opinion (and it is just that) NPs should have a solid foundation as an RN before stepping up to the advanced practice. How many years is that? That depends on the individual, but 1-3 years does not seem like enough. Five seems okay, but then again it is just an arbitrary number. I have worked around the NPs with weeks of RN experience and the floor nurses know more and diagnose better. Now, if they are going into psych....eh what harm can they do? (LOL)

I also will not see or take my children to a NP/PA. I find my providers thru recommendations from people I respect as providers who know a heck of a lot more than I do and I am not sure I would feel that way about a NP/PA. The NP/PA's I respect and impress me work in more acute areas than I require for myself or my children (Had I a need for that I would have trust in them), but I doubt I would find comfort in having my 6 y.o. be seen by a 23 y.o. NP Walden graduate.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I would be very selective about seeing a NP too. Granted, there are many good ones, but I'm too keenly aware of the deficiencies in NP training. I also couldn't care less about a NP's anecdotal experience as a RN. I'm one that believes time served as a RN is irrelevant. Where do we set the boundary? How much time and what specialty? Granted, there are a lot of bad physicians as well, and I absolutely refuse to see or consult with FMGs.

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