MSN working bedside nursing

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Hello all,

I am starting my research here. I currently have a non-nursing bachelors degree (Biology) and I am curious to know that if I get my MSN for family NP, would I be able to work in bedside nursing (Medsurg or ICU)? Or just only family practice?

Location: CA

I have applied to both aBSN and MSN (w/o BSN) programs.

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Asking for a friend

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

You have to be a licensed RN before you can get your MSN. I can't even....

Do you have any idea how insulting it is to think that without a RN license, you can just waltz right on into a higher degree in a field you know nothing about?!

Shut the front door. I'm out.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

And upon further inspection of your posts, so you are stating that you have an Associated degree, and yes, you can get your MSN in some programs without a BSN. I assume you can do bedside as a nurse until you have a job as an NP, but not as a Family NP.

Telling this to you for your "friend"

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missmollie said:
You have to be a licensed RN before you can get your MSN. I can't even....

Do you have any idea how insulting it is to think that without a RN license, you can just waltz right on into a higher degree in a field you know nothing about?!

Shut the front door. I'm out.

Calm down ... There are a kazillion "direct entry" MSN programs that take people with no nursing background, licensure, or experience, put them through a bare-bones basic nursing program and an MSN program, and they graduate in 2-3 years prepared for RN and advanced practice licensure and practice. Have you really never heard of them? They've been around for nearly 40 years, and they're v. popular (I'm not a fan, but there's no disputing that they are "out there").

OP, am I understanding correctly that you are asking if you can continue to work in a bedside, staff nurse position once you are an FNP? Or are you asking whether FNPs can work in acute inpatient settings like (inpatient) med-surg or ICU? Your question isn't clear to me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, ED Transition.

It depends on the state where you are. In Florida, FNP's can work in an inpatient setting, depending on their training and also education. For example, if you have worked MedSurg for years, a MedSurg floor would be allowed, but an ICU would not. All of these things are also usually evaluated by the hospital giving you privileges.

I would hope that no hospital would give anyone privileges as an ICU ARNP without being an Acute Care NP. On a MedSurg unit with more stable patients, hospital privileges are usually granted to FNP's with previous RN experience in such settings.

If you have never worked as an RN, it honestly doesn't make much sense to become an FNP to do bedside RN nursing. Regardless, you would need quite a bit of training, just like brand new RNs need. Hospitals may also not hire you as an RN because they will figure you will leave soon. I was part of a hiring panel recently where this was the case. An FNP applied to our floor (with previous RN experience) and no one wanted to hire her because they figured it was just temporary for her.

In the case that you DO decide to do FNP without previous RN experience (I can't think of any programs that I have seen where this is allowed), it would probably be safer for patients to stick to Family Practice only because you'll have the education without the experience to work in a hospital / more acute setting.

The norm is RN, then FNP and work in an area that you are familiar with.

Hope this helps and good luck!

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elkpark said:
OP, am I understanding correctly that you are asking if you can continue to work in a bedside, staff nurse position once you are an FNP? Or are you asking whether FNPs can work in acute inpatient settings like (inpatient) med-surg or ICU? Your question isn't clear to me.

I think you answered it; once graduated with an FNP degree, you are able to work bedside nursing (inpatient) to build experience and then work as an FNP when a position becomes available.

Also, it appears direct entry MSN programs does teach the BSN portion as part of their curriculum.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, ED Transition.

Do keep in mind that if you decide to go that route, as I explained before, some places may not hire you.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
HalfBoiled said:
Hello all,

I am starting my research here. I currently have a non-nursing bachelors degree (Biology) and I am curious to know that if I get my MSN for family NP, would I be able to work in bedside nursing (Medsurg or ICU)? Or just only family practice?

Location: CA

I have applied to both ABSN and MSN (w/o BSN) programs.

I know several nurses who've gone back to get NP licenses and continue to work as bedside nurses.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.
I know several nurses who've gone back to get NP licenses and continue to work as bedside nurses.

Me too. They said they made more as a beside nurse than a clinic NP. And a few did both, full time clinic job and per diem bedside.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have my MSN in Informatics, but choose to continue to work the bedside as a certified ortho nurse. I love helping new nurses be more efficient at charting and helping the powers that be with optimizing our flowsheets. I kinda wish I gotten my NP as I am looking at sitting for my certified diabetes educator. I just love too many aspects of nursing. I know I am a geek and an overachiever. ;)

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Don't try to take shortcuts with human lives. Get the training you need to do the work you want to do.

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