Is age just a number?

Specialties NP

Published

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?

Specializes in ICU, trauma.

I can understand where you're coming from. As soon as i graduated with my BSN at 22 i was also accepted into grad school for my FNP. Sometimes i get snarky comments from my co-workers around the lines of "Soo you don't want to be a nurse then?" Age is just a number.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

Age is one thing, maturity is another. So is experience and readiness to take on the rigors of an advanced roles. It's all relative and pertinent to the person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I think 5 years of quality nursing experience is more than enough. I can't speak for other specialties, but nursing experience for the NICU is a must and (thankfully) virtually all schools recognize this and require a few years experience. I had 6 prior to becoming a NNP working at a tertiary center on a unit that promoted strong nurses. It made me a much better clinician coming out of the gate and the role transition wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be (ironically my anecdotal experience has been that NICU nurses who have 15+ years experience have a harder time transitioning to a provider way of thinking).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
"Soo you don't want to be a nurse then?" .

So what? I didn't want to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Psychiatry.

I should've stated "don't solely provide." In psychiatry I'm not specifically concerned with WHAT their diagnosis is or WHAT medications I choose to use for treatment, rather HOW will the patient access them and WHO will be there to assist them through their treatment? I'm not solely concerned with the what's in treatment but the "ADLs" of their life being met admist their circumstances within their life that placed them where they are. Our care is multifactoral and at times I feel like I'm more focused on everything but simply their diagnosis because how can you treat if there's no access, support, negativity, or unmotivation to be treated?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Psychiatry.
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.

I should've stated "don't solely provide." In psychiatry I'm not specifically concerned with WHAT their diagnosis is or WHAT medications I choose to use for treatment, rather HOW will the patient access them and WHO will be there to assist them through their treatment? I'm not solely concerned with the what's in treatment but the "ADLs" of their life being met admist their circumstances within their life that placed them where they are. Our care is multifactoral and at times I feel like I'm more focused on everything but simply their diagnosis because how can you treat if there's no access, support, negativity, or unmotivation to be treated?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I really don't think this has anything to do with age, and is more about experience level. I personally believe that nurses should have a certain number of years of experience under their belt before they move into an advanced position such as NP. As another poster said, I can't narrow that down to a specific number because it varies from person to person. But I think a great injustice is served to everyone, especially the NP, if they go straight to NP school after getting their BSN with no nursing experience in between.

That being said, I highly respect NPs and will opt for NPs, especially Women's Health NPs, whenever I can - IF I see that they have that RN experience in their career. I think I receive the same quality of medical care as I do through an MD, with a personal/more understanding touch that isn't always provided with an NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I don't believe there is a way to determine your gynecology NP's RN experience.

Folks, you can't just say the RN experience requirement varies by the individual. It has to be discrete and articulate. For that matter, what kind of experience is good experience? A RN could work in an insurance call center and choose critical care or a nursing home RN could choose peds. I never worked psych and here I am in psych.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I never worked psych and here I am in psych.

Actually didn't you do a brief stint in psych? And you also have ED as well as corrections experience so it isn't as if you haven't ever seen a range of blood pressure readings or psychotic presentations. We can definitely agree to disagree on the value or not of RN experience but I think you are a bit of a unicorn in this discussion. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
In psychiatry I'm not specifically concerned with WHAT their diagnosis is or WHAT medications I choose to use for treatment, rather HOW will the patient access them and WHO will be there to assist them through their treatment? I'm not solely concerned with the what's in treatment but the "ADLs" of their life being met admist their circumstances within their life that placed them where they are. Our care is multifactoral and at times I feel like I'm more focused on everything but simply their diagnosis because how can you treat if there's no access, support, negativity, or unmotivation to be treated?

Well my focus absolutely is almost solely a correct diagnosis and appropriate medication. Your example although I'm sure it makes you feel very thorough and holistic is classic for nursing and imo will not serve you or the greater good for patients on the waiting list to see a prescriber. How long have you been a psych NP? How many patients do you see in a day?

I have therapists, case managers and my secretary to figure out who is going to help them, how they are going to pay for their meds and encourage them to remain motivated for treatment. My employer isn't paying me over $100 an hour to do that stuff. Its medication management only.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I see an NP for one issue, I used to have a GREAT NP before I moved. I work with several NPs on my unit. The best one is the youngest one! One is just not a people person and gets very overwhelmed. Another was a nurse and thinks that she can "bond" with us. The one I like is very efficient, will listen to us, teach us things when it there is time and when it is appropriate.

Age is just a number. I am an older new nurse and patients think that because I am older that I am better. We have young nurses that are fabulous but don't always get taken seriously because of their age. I hate that.

Personally, I DO have several ortho docs that I see (they all seem to specialize now) and I prefer to see them rather than their mid-levels, which tend to be PAs, only because I have had fairly long relationships with my docs.

On a side note, how could a person get their NP before a RN? I can't go back, but did I read that correctly? That sounds a little hinky.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

On a side note, how could a person get their NP before a RN? I can't go back, but did I read that correctly? That sounds a little hinky.

They technically get their RN on the way to MSN or DNP although the schools are so hell bent on retaining their captive audience they discourage them from taking time off climbing the ladder to actually work as a nurse. My understanding is that historically our short NP education was justified as a bridge from our extensive RN experience so frankly I can't see how this has been allowed to fly and wholeheartedly believe in upcoming years as the masses continue being pushed through that patient outcomes will suffer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment