how much experience needed to become an NP

mammac5 · Oct 1, 2011

Well, I'll jump in here and say that you will get a whole host of responses to this question, but there is no "rule."

Some will say the RN should work for 2 years or 5 years, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that view. I will say that there are a whole of us that did not work as nurses (or hospital nurses, anyway) but went directly into an NP program and have done very well.

Some experience can be very valuable, and others maybe not so much. For instance I talked to someone who had worked for a year or so in a skilled nursing facility with elderly folks...and was in a midwifery NP program.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2011

I agree with the previous poster. Experience is relative, and I think what is more important is that you feel confident and ready to embark on a graduate program. I have been an RN for 3 years and am just now starting a FNP program. I definitely feel confident in my skills as an RN, but keep in mind you won't be using all of those skills as an NP.

My only suggestion would be with only one year experience as a staff nurse, is there something to make your application stand out from other new nurses/nurses with very little experience? Alot of NP programs are getting an increase in apps and if you have ACLS/PALS, certifications, etc that might help to set you apart in getting in.

SMRN2 · Oct 3, 2011

thank you two sooo much for the info, yess i am planning on getting acls certified this month. do you feel np school is just as difficult as a 4 yr nursing school or is it more layed back (all online) is it mostly writing research papers and clinicals or more exam based like an undergraduate degree. i would much rather write papers

mammac5 · Oct 3, 2011

thank you two sooo much for the info, yess i am planning on getting acls certified this month. do you feel np school is just as difficult as a 4 yr nursing school or is it more layed back (all online) is it mostly writing research papers and clinicals or more exam based like an undergraduate degree. i would much rather write papers

of course each program is different, but the basics should be the same in any accredited program. lots of scholarly writing projects. online (or live) lectures and tests. clinical hours, which may be a mix of primary care and specialty sites if you're in a primary care specialty. if you're acnp then clinicals will be hospital-based. if you're psych then you will see patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. the program(s) you're looking at will tell you how many hours of clinicals you will need to complete for your program.

for me the np program was as stressful as undergrad rn program, but in different ways. all during the rn program i was terrified that i would not be able to pass nclex - i was very focused on that. during the np program i was more concerned about doing/saying something completely idiotic during clinicals, either to a patient or to a preceptor. :jester:

Bimbabe · Oct 4, 2011

I think one year on a med surg floor is plenty.

TonieRN · Oct 4, 2011

I have just been accepted into a FNP program. My background is OB and ambulatory care. I wish you the best of luck. feel free to pm me with more questions if you want.

Coollittleme · Nov 2, 2011

I'm about to graduate this December (2011) from my FNP program and I had one year experience in Post Partum before I started it and I didn't see how my experience helped me at all, because what I learned to function as a FNP was not at all related to the RN role. Some of my preceptors actually told me that sometimes it was harder to precept people with lots and lots of experience because they had a difficult time moving from the RN frame of mind into the provider frame of mind which is needed to succeed in clinical. I'm not saying that having experience isn't a good thing; I'm just saying that not having much isn't a negative thing either. The only problems might be competing for acceptance into a program with people with more experience, however most programs require only 1 year experience. I say; if you feel ready go for it!

allnurses Guide · Nov 2, 2011

I'm a Direct Entry grad who never worked as an RN before becoming a FNP. I've been working for a few years now and I'm doing just fine. Interestingly, I now precept FNP students and currently have a student from a Direct Entry program and one who has many years of RN experience. They bring different skills and strengths to the table. My DE student is an incredible critical thinker and uses this ability throughout the whole assessment, workup, and treatment decision process, but has to work harder due to her limited nursing experience. My experienced RN student has loads of knowledge about nursing and patient care, but struggles a little with being the person who makes the decisions about diagnosis and treatment. Of course, this could be a personality thing peculiar to these specific students, but I think it is somewhat reflective of their backgrounds. Neither one is better than the other; they're just different. I don't think there's a "right" road to take or a specific amount of RN experience you need. I think it's up to the individual-does he or she have the aptitude and the willingness to work very hard and gain the knowledge and confidence needed to be a provider. You either have it or you don't-and all the experience in the world won't give it to you.

bayouchick02 · Nov 3, 2011

To tell you the truth, nursing "experience" is relative. I personally have mostly Neonatal ICU experience, and I am more than halfway through the FNP program. Like many other posters have said in previous posts, the NP role is much different than the RN role. You actually would have a head start in the game because you would already have heard a lot of the meds and treatment that are discussed, based on your work experience. The major problem I have right now is the huge learning curve that I have due to my highly specialized work experience, but I find myself learning more and more about myself and my capabilities everyday as I progress through the program.

Relax, if you truly want to become an FNP, go for it! :-) You'll do great!

new_horizons555 · Dec 14, 2011

It was really great reading this discussion board. Thank you all for your input. It's really difficult in the BSN program because every RN teacher tells you to get tons of experience before even considering obtaining your FNP. It can be very discouraging.

I agree with the posters here who stated that the job skills for RN and FNP are quite different. Ultimately, in the end you have to make your own decision. That's what I'm doing.

I'm continuing on in May 2012 after graduation for the FNP with no prior experience. I want to get it completed and start my career!!! Good luck to you all!

tussah10 · Dec 15, 2011

BCgradnurse,

Your reply was so helpful! I have 6 months med-surg and now work outpatient and just started at BC for my PNP. I've been worrying I'm not learning enough in outpatient so it's nice to see you were a direct entry student, had no experience as a RN and are now a successful NP.