Long Lost Dream Or Not?

Specialties School

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Hello fellow school nurses,

I have asked this question before, but before I had posted it to the NP blogs and Student NP blogs, when maybe I should have posted it here.

I am 25 years old, newly married, living with in-laws to save for my first home, and graduated nursing school in Dec. 2011. I was that nursing student who started applications during the first month of my last semester of school. I was that overly-prepared student - the one who studied 2 weeks in advance for a test, the student who you saw reading all the time. I was the one who got to school at 6:30am and left at 7pm because I studied before and after classes. I was that student who read EVERY single word in my book, not just skim. I was that student who tried so hard and didn't really go out on the weekends bc I rather be studying, even though my other nursing friends invited me to go with them. Needless to say, I worked my butt off during nursing school. My weak points were I was a nervous wreck during clinicals... I was a master with the books, but slower to learn the hands on skills. It took me a few attempts to really get the skills learned in skills lab. I was that student who the instructor used as "A what not to do on your patient" in skills lab bc even though I tried to get it right, somehow I would always mess something up and embarrass myself in front of the class.

I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I applied to every new grad program in my area. (My specific passion was Women's Health or Mother Baby. My long term plan was to work at a hospital for 2 years and then apply to a NP program. Becoming an NP was my future dream!) I applied months in advance before graduation (as recommended by our instructors). Graduation day came and went .... no calls for interviews. NCLEX day came - I passed in 75 questions, took an hour and 15 minutes. ... days came and went, no call backs. I called the HR departments, left messages....nothing..... I would sit at home and stare at the stack of bills I had thinking, I really need to find a job to pay these..... Well, while applying to hospitals and clinics, I had also took a chance and sent in an application for a school nurse in a low-income area in my city. It was them who actually called me back for an interview. It was the only call back I got. It wasn't what I had in mind, but at the time I was desperate for a job. I interviewed the next morning; there were nurses before me and after, all veteran nurses with peds experience. And then there was me. One week after, (the day i passed my NCLEX) I got a call back from HR that they liked me and wanted me to work for them, STARTING THE NEXT DAY!

I started working at the elementary school the next day and I have been there since. I have been a school nurse for 2 years. I have applied to hospitals/clinics since then, and i've been told "you are no longer a new grad and you have no clinical experience". So, I do not look marketable to employers. I've watched all my nursing friends who did get hospital jobs recently get into their NP programs. My question to you is, is it even worth it to still pursue my dream as an NP? I have no clinical experience, and I've been out of school for 2 years. Would it be worth my while? Worth applying? Is it stupid to think an RN with a BSN apply for an NP program when I've lost pretty much all my skills I worked so hard for in nursing school? I don't want to look back on my life when I'm 80 and have regrets that I didn't pursue my dreams. But, I also want to be smart about this. What do yall think I should do?

Sincerely,

Lost and Confused RN

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I'm not sure how well this answers your question, but I was recently looking at NP schools and I didn't feel completely discouraged because of my experience. Many applications allow essays which is a great place to explain the knowledge and experience you have. Also, I noticed the applications asked how many years you've been an active RN, not so much what specialty. Take a look at the schools you want to apply to and see what you think. Also, maybe you could get to know the faculty and let them know just how smart you are and what your goals are. I was taught in school and by nurses on allnurses that skills can be taught, and change from unit to unit anyway. Many nurses know that, and I'm sure faculty do because they're the ones who have to teach them, and understand nursing is more than tasks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Just because you learned in nursing school which end of a needle to stick into a vein, and maybe started a few IVs, under supervision, doesn't mean you've attained a skill. Knowing what to do and doing it independently and proficently are two completely different kettles of fish. So not saying this to insult you, but nursing school prepares you to become an effective nurse in whatever field you go into; you learn what you need to know in the particular job you settle on. In your case, you still "know" everything you learned in nursing school. If you want to be a NP then use that same zeal and determination you have to get into a NP program. You know what they say in basketball, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Good luck and let us know when you're accepted into a NP program.

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If it is still your dream then go for it.....many successful people in history have been told that they should give up on their dream because people believe it will not work or that they are not smart enough (i.e., Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs and many more). I am a firm believer that once you are determined and are sure that Np is what you really want then go for it, despite how many times you apply until you get in....Np are really marketable now a days because there aren't many in the nursing field now....just take your time research many different programs and what their requirements are and plan yourself before you apply...its great that you have a job in the mean time to help pay for the bills while you pursue your dream. Also you can volunteer or better yet try for a part time position at a clinic like an LTC to brush up on your skills while you are in the process of applying....I wish you good luck on whatever path you decide to take. :-)

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Specializes in School nursing.

See, I don't know what so many people lament that school nursing means "I've lost all the skills I learned in nursing school." I haven't at all - I just apply them in a different way. So, my patients aren't acute (except for the one that might be and you consider emergency planning prior to ambulance arrival), there are no IV lines (but sometimes there are!), and the number of daily scheduled medications I pass is 16 and they are all PO. I don't start IVs (heck, neither do several of my friends working on urban med-surg floors), but the number of assessments I do is has taught me valuable critical thinking skills. I can assess an asthma kid easily and the amount I've learned about diabetes continues to grow each day. I have no back-up, I have to rely on my own skills. I have become a better health teacher, an invaluable tool for any health care professional. I value my role at the gatekeeper for many kids preventive health care. If you are looking at family NP programs, there is much you can say in an essay about your school nursing experience.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

I saw go for it! If you are truly worried about the loss of your basic knowledge in Nursing School look around for a RN refresher course. I know the closest State University to me offers one and you can have an IV skills class as well. Don't be too discouraged! I have faith in you as long as you have faith in yourself!

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You need get into a hospital or some type of acute care. Personally, I wouldn't want to see an NP with no experience. Who would? Maybe a transition program into Labor delivery? You may have to work nights to get in. 2 years will go by fast and you will learn so much. It will help with school. I worked nights for 3 years in the ER just to get my foot in the door. I wanted to work in the ER and that's all that was open.

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Considering the number of NP programs that accept new grads with the ink still wet on their BSN diplomas, I don't see why they would exclude YOU. The new grads have ZERO clinical experience other than school, and you are more skilled than that at this point.

I think you need to poke around the large number of schools out there and see what their requirements (official and "unwritten") are until you find a good fit! Good luck!

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JenElizabethRN, you mentioned "consider emergency planning prior to ambulance arrival and no iv lines but sometimes there are". Would you explain or give examples of some of those circumstances? I am interviewing this week for a school RN position and I'm trying to be prepared to discuss as many types of scenarios as I can. I work in peds currently.

Thank you!

BumbleBee

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
You need get into a hospital or some type of acute care. Personally, I wouldn't want to see an NP with no experience. Who would? Maybe a transition program into Labor delivery? You may have to work nights to get in. 2 years will go by fast and you will learn so much. It will help with school. I worked nights for 3 years in the ER just to get my foot in the door. I wanted to work in the ER and that's all that was open.

The OP does have nursing experience, it is just not traditional nursing experience. She was not sitting home eating bon-bons for two years, she was working. So while she may not be able to start an IV or place a foley, that is just technical stuff and not what makes you a nurse. She has spent the last two years building her assessment skills and becoming more fluent in providing age appropriate pt education. Those are some of the most important skills for a nurse.

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Specializes in Peids.

If becoming an NP is your dream then go for it!!! As for your skills...You have them. If you stop and think about it what does an NP do if she is an FNP. A lot of the same assessment skills that you are doing now. The FNP at my pcp does not do IV's or shots. That is passed on to the MA. Your thinking skills have more than likely gone up a level or two. Don't look at what your friends have done but rather look at all that you as a school nurse have been able to do. Sounds like you are second guessing herself. Stop doing that and take the dive into NP school. If you can do school nursing than you CAN do any nursing.

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