Is there any hope for me?

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 24, 2024

What kind of NP Program did you go through? Something reputable I hope.

SBE · Dec 24, 2024

What do you mean? I'm in a regular accredited school

Crusades · Dec 26, 2024

You met the requirements so you are prepared! Think back when you became an RN, you probably felt the same! Congratulations

amma love · Dec 26, 2024

Hi I faild nmc cbt part 4 times could any one help me 5th time I am preparing very well but luck is not my side hope I will get help here

I faild nmc cbt adult nursing part b 4 times itsreally frustrating me ..please help me this time anyone here

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 29, 2024

SBE said:

What do you mean? I'm in a regular accredited school

There are lots of garbage "accredited" schools. Most often, it's Walden or similar online program graduates who walk out feeling the most unprepared with historically the worst outcomes in board or even practice readiness. So having clarity on where you went to school gives us perspective on why you fell the way you do.

Ladyscrubs · Dec 29, 2024

It has been a long while since I posted but here is my two cents worth. You do not have to practice as a NP. Get a position on a Medical Surgical Tele unit or whatever unit that interests you and gain that experience. Work and gain experience for another year, switch to a float, or attempt to get into a ICU position, cardiac, neurology, surgical, or even the ER, whatever direction you want. Don't forget you are a registered nurse; there is no shame in bedside care, and you learn a lot.

AlleycatLady, BSN, MSN, NP · Jan 5

One thing you have to realize is that the scope of the roles are different. Technically, you don't need RN experience to be an NP. Is it helpful? In a lot of ways yes, but it is not necessary to do the role. If your program focused on the right things and helped you to learn what you will need to be able to diagnose, research, prescribe, treat, think, organize your ideas, determine whats emergent vs urgent, what needs to be referred out, communicate, collaborate, and followup on things, you can do the NP role without RN experience. I believe that having RN experience is better because it gives you a better picture of things, but you do have experience. So don't feel bad. I only had almost 5 years of ER RN experience be starting my recent NP part time role, and I still feel like an imposter. All the years as RN are not years as NP. I also still work my ER RN role part time (kaiser benefits and pay cant be beat). They say its normal to feel uneasy in the transition. Lately, I'm feeling a little better after experiencing a few wins. The wins feel really good. I have my down days, but then I think about those wins, and realize that I don't have to be so hard on myself. I have a great MD and anothe NP who work along side me and if it were not for them and the great support that they give, I would have probably quit by now. I've learned so much from them. You need a place that is willing to train you. The sooner you start working as an NP, the sooner you will become comfortable with the role and learn the role. What I've found by working both roles simultaneously is that my RN skills improved and my relationships with providers at the RN job improved. The RN experience helps me understand what is reasonable to ask for from the nurses and when they are BS'ing. Honestly, you have to start working as an NP in order to get experience as an NP. However, the problem we run into is all the jobs want you to have NP experience...new grad delima.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Jan 7

Many new NPs feel the same way. Kudos to you for finishing up NP school. You don't need RN experience to be a primary care NP. Working as an RN is not going to give you NP experience, which is what you need. You should apply for some NP residency programs, as this will provide you with extra instruction and clinical experience.

When I started my first NP job, I felt very unprepared. Fortunately, the clinic had excellent MD and NP mentors. Do not be embarassed about asking questions. I was afraid to at first, afraid to look stupid, but one of the MDs pulled me aside and reassured me and encouraged me to ask for help. I was runing to him every appointment, it felt like. After 6 months, I was more confident. After 9 months, I was only only asking him questions a couple times a day.

Make sure to choose your first NP job carefully. Choose the job what will provide you with the best support. Ask them if they are hired new grad NPs before. Ask what the onboarding process is. You should only be seeing a few patients a day to begin with and that number should go up gradually as you become more knowledgeable. If they employer other NPs, try to talk to them.

DO NOT accept a job if they have never hired a new grad NP before or seem to be clueless about how to best support and train a new grad NP.

Best wishes.

masscane, MSN, RN · Jan 12

Imposter syndrome is real. I'm in my first year and it took me a few weeks to start to feel comfortable treating patients. What I believe really matters is ensuring appropriate mentorship is available at your first job. My mentor sat in with me on visits for the first few weeks and began to let me practice independently after that. The imposter syndrome eventually begins to shed with time.

I agree with the poster's above, RN experience is great, but your role as an NP is drastically different from that of an RN. You could get those 10 years experience as an RN and still feel like an imposter when you make the role switch to NP. My advice is to choose your first job carefully, ensure that mentorship will be available, and then jump through the fire.

RKIm · 2025-01-31T23:26:09Z

I am on the same boat as you. I have been an RN since 2020, I don't have any bedside experience, only 1 year aesthetics and 1.5 years home health while having 2 babies. Imposter syndrome is real. Finding a job is hard - I am with you on how you feel.