how much experience needed to become an NP

PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · May 3, 2013

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. I'm a new BSN graduate as of December 2012, and my instructors were always saying that you need multiple years of experience before continuing onto a NP program, which discouraged me because my BSN was a second degree for me and I'm tired of putting my life on hold for my educational pursuits.

Even though I realize I have a lot to learn, knowing that several of you have entered into a NP program with little (or no) RN experience is very encouraging! I believe I'll start applying after 6 months or 1 year of experience. I also plan to earn ACLS and other certifications to make me a more attractive candidate. Thank you so much - knowing this will definitely help me to push through the incredibly discouraging days (I'm currently finishing my 5th week of orientation on a medical-oncology unit). I love doing research papers, and I think the role of a NP would better fit my personality. I'm very excited to finalize my educational goals :)

new_horizons555 · May 9, 2013

Take it from me it can be done! I'm almost done!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!! It's the best thing I have ever decided to do as second degree student. It takes a tremendous amount of work and discipline regardless of whether you have 20 years of experience or none. It's a completely different role in nursing because you are functioning as a provider and making the diagnostic and treatment decisions. You have no life during this time. A lot of people I know who worked as nurses had to take leaves of absence to complete the program requirements.

I suggest that you consider a doctoral program in case you don't get grandfathered into the master's in time for all of the changes that will be occurring. Best of luck!

Annaiya, NP · May 10, 2013

I'm surprised your BSN programs discouraged going straight through for your NP. My school was really vocal about encouraging us to apply for NP school right away. They told us to apply before we graduated if we wanted to go straight through. But the Dean of my school is really awesome and a huge advocate for nurses. I don't think going right into an NP program is right for everyone, but it's perfect for some of us.

megank5183 · May 10, 2013

I say go for it! I am in PMHNP school and I applied and got in with one year experience (and that experience was in critical care, not psych). If you plan on working through school, you will probably have at least two years of experience by the time you get to clinicals. Nursing and NP roles are quite different....so racking up a bunch of years as an RN may not be that helpful.

megank5183 · May 10, 2013

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

And oh God...your wish to write papers will be granted. I would rather take fifteen tests back-to-back than write one more paper!! I am almost done with my first year and I have yet to take a test. I am going online to a really good school, part time. I have no life...and it is no easier than brick and mortar classes. Undergrad was a walk in the park comparatively. There is nothing laid back about it and it requires a serious commitment. I have always done well academically, but this has been a struggle. I have a 4.0, but I have worked pretty hard for it. In nursing school, I studied the day before the test, hardly read, and graduated with a 3.9. If you want to do it, go for it, but be ready for the work. GL!

FuturePsychNP · May 14, 2013

hi everyone i am a 24y/o male with a BSN and a year of experience on a ortho-rehab/med surg unit, i plan on going back to school to be a family NP. i was wondering if one year on an orth-med surg floor is enough to start np school or will i have a hard time with clinicals because of lack of experience?? any help is appreciated!!!
THANK YOU

I graudated with the BSN as a career changer, got conditional admission to the MSN/NP program, passed NCLEX, got unconditional admission, summer drifted by, and I waited six weeks after getting licensed to look for a RN job (just didn't have my heart in it). I got a job, and a month later grad school started. It's actually the only one I applied for and was called to interview less than 12 hours after I applied online, lol. I got the call on a Friday and was interviewed/hired before lunch the following Monday. Timing is everything, lol.

I've yet to take anything or be exposed to something that I didn't feel mentally competent to do in grad school. I've finished the first 19 of 44 semester hours, and will be quitting my RN job in August. It's just completely wrong for me, lol. Grad school and my clinical focus is pretty nice though. I like it. I'd say you have more than adequate experience, and there are countless NPs and NP students that never actually worked as a RN. I got a RN job because I had a compulsory 2,000 hours of work experience to complete, but, to the disdain of many, there isn't really a RN job anywhere that I'd want.

PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · May 14, 2013

I'm just curious what states some of these responses are coming from? I know some of the requirements vary by state, and I'd find it helpful to know the locale context of everybody's experience!

RNgirly07 · May 15, 2013

I live in Michigan an have been an ortho nurse for 1 1/2 years. I was just accepted to the midwife program at the University of Michigan. My only L/D experience was a preceptorship for my BSN.

smilesweet · Dec 2, 2015

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!

Hi bayouchick02! I was wondering if you could give me any advice/info/tips - I'm applying to FNP programs for a Fall 2016 start and I currently work in a Neonatal ICU! How was FNP school with mostly NICU experience? Thank you! :)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Dec 2, 2015

You'll need to check with your individual programs. Some have a minimum requirements whereas others do not. What NP route are you thinking of doing?

Larry3373 · Dec 2, 2015

I did 1 year med surg, 1 year telemetry, and 1 year ICU before I applied for NP school. My ICU experience was important because of the acute care component as I'm in the Acute care/Family dual role at The University of South Alabama. It is 100% online, and is mostly reading and writing papers. The clinical component starts after the first year, and there is a 3 day skills lab on site before clinicals start.

Zkelly10 · Nov 15, 2017

Honestly I think you should have at least four to five years of experience, with two to three of those years being critical care. I'm in my second year of school right now and I'm so glad I got experience before going back to school. School and clinicals are fast paced and your preceptors are going to expect you to have a good background in knowing various illnesses and medications. For your future and the safety of your future patients do everyone a favor and get experience before going back to school.