how much experience is recommended.

I think it depends on the school. When I was in acnp, I worked full time during didatic and went to school full time, which was very draining but doable. Many ahead of me just went to school part time and then moved to part time work during clinicals. I do know of one that worked full time in clinicals, but our unit was very accommodating for her.

For experience, I think go straight in if you are going to work full time while in school. If not, get a year of full time experience before you start and save up some cash while you are at it.

AbeFrohman,

What is it like being a student and new nurse? For instance, how did you fit school into your work schedule? Did you take NCLEX before or after the start of school? Going straight to grad school from the BSN is something that I'm considering also.

Got a job, graduated, took nclex about 2 weeks after I graduated and 1 week after I started my job. I started work in te summer and started NP school in the fall. It was all online and I was in a hurry so I signed up for 3 classes. It was exhausting. The next semester I signed up for 2 which was much better. I'm not sure how to tell you how I worked around my schedule. Just did school work when I had time, but I still manage to work some OT and make good money.

It was tough at moments, but not because I was a new nurse, just lack of time. It actually helped as a new nurse because I was studying stuff and then would see it on the unit. I don't think any experience is necessary for didatics but most definitely is for clinicals. However, I dropped out and went to anesthesia school just before my time to start clinicals.

Wow, that doesn't sound too bad since you basically completed your orientation before you began school. I can see how an online program would be more flexible too. I'm thinking of a traditional "brick and mortar" school. Thanks for the info, it was helpful.

Wow, that doesn't sound too bad since you basically completed your orientation before you began school. I can see how an online program would be more flexible too. I'm thinking of a traditional "brick and mortar" school. Thanks for the info, it was helpful.

Brick and mortar is the best way to go if you want a quality education. The online stuff was not very challenging.