Masters entry Grads starting as NP's and CNS's right out of school, are there jobs?

[BCzito]

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any statistics or info concerning NP's and CNS's from masters entry programs getting jobs as CNS's or NP's right out of college. I am especially curious about my program where Its only 2 years long , although my school has an excellent reputation. I really don't want to work as an RN (at least not longer than it takes to get my licesure as a CNS or NP) I am in psychiatric mental health. I would like to start as a CNS or NP right away. Any thoughts? Especially info in the Boston MA area. Has anyone else done a similar program and gone straight through. If so, what are your thoughts. I realize not having extra experience as an RN bothers some people, and its def something I have received mixed responses on, but it is a choice I am comfortable with as I am my abilities, so please don't respond concerning that issue but rather the availability of work comming from such a program where I would have less RN experience.

Thanks so much.

-Danielle

[elkpark]

I went through grad school (psych CNS) with two direct-entry classmates (I was a "traditional" grad student), and they both got jobs that they wanted without any trouble after graduation. They are both in the Northeast, altho' not in the Boston area specifically.

[luauchic]

If you do not want to work as an RN why did you go to nursing school? (didn't mean for that to come out mean-sounding!)

You will probably be a great NP but remember the first word in nurse practitioner is NURSE. Psych is a little different, but all inpatient managers I've talked with at my hospital say they would never hire an NP without at least a few years RN exp.

[BCzito]

If you do not want to work as an RN why did you go to nursing school? (didn't mean for that to come out mean-sounding!)

You will probably be a great NP but remember the first word in nurse practitioner is NURSE. Psych is a little different, but all inpatient managers I've talked with at my hospital say they would never hire an NP without at least a few years RN exp.

I didn't say I didn't want to be a nurse, I DO! I just don't plan to work in an RN role. That may be true that people you know wouldn't hire NP's from a direct NP program, but there are people who will, and I'm sure we'll find them.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any statistics or info concerning NP's and CNS's from masters entry programs getting jobs as CNS's or NP's right out of college. I am especially curious about my program where Its only 2 years long , although my school has an excellent reputation. I really don't want to work as an RN (at least not longer than it takes to get my licesure as a CNS or NP) I am in psychiatric mental health. I would like to start as a CNS or NP right away. Any thoughts? Especially info in the Boston MA area. Has anyone else done a similar program and gone straight through. If so, what are your thoughts. I realize not having extra experience as an RN bothers some people, and its def something I have received mixed responses on, but it is a choice I am comfortable with as I am my abilities, so please don't respond concerning that issue but rather the availability of work comming from such a program where I would have less RN experience.

Thanks so much.

-Danielle

Danielle,

Most of the ads I've seen say some experience as an RN is required first. However, that can't be true of everyplace. I think you would have the best luck finding a job if you look at the places you do your school clinicals. Especially if you do an internship your last semester of school-when you're about to graduate I would give the nurse manager of that unit your resume & see what happens. That is how I got my RN job last summer. I did my senior internship of my BSN program on a med/surg/tele unit & I was hired as an RN on the same unit when I graduated and passed my boards in July 2005. Best wishes to you!

-Christine :)