Need direction...

[Fl1990]

Hi all,

This is my first post in this forum so forgive me if these questions have been answered.

A bit of background on me. I have been a Paramedic for 7 years. I am ready to further my education and I feel as though I would like to go to NP school. I have a Bachelors degree in a non-nursing discipline.

I am trying to find a program that I can complete online and do clinicals in my area. From what I have seen it will take approximately 3 years to become an NP. However, I noticed that almost all of the programs require 1 year of nursing experience prior to applying to the NP program. Is this the norm and are there programs that don't require this?

Also would it be better for me to complete a bridge Paramedic to ADN and then apply to an RN-FNP program?

I am a bit unsure of the best route to take. If there are any out there with similar experiences I would greatly appreciate input. Thank you for your time.

[adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Sounds like you may want to become a nurse practitioner without becoming...a nurse or should I say without obtaining nursing experience or the least amount. Whatever the case may be, I don't recommend it. There is a chance your NP clinical experience may not cut it depending on the program you choose and you would need to rely on your nursing experience for exposure to certain conditions. Paramedic experience is certainly helpful but not the same. You may want to explore Physician Assistant programs since you already know your goal is to be a provider. I don't know if you can complete online but with either route working full time may not be an option. Good luck.

[ICU2NP]

I agree, if you are not already a nurse then I would go the PA route for sure. Especially if you have no desire to actually be a nurse, which is the initial foundation of a nurse practitioner.

I have talked with various respiratory therapists who go on to PA school when they want to become a provider and advance their career, and it works out well for them.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Contrary to what other posters have stated, yes, you can become an NP w/o RN experience. It depends on your NP specialty. Primary care NPs do not need to be RNs and most schools do not require RN experience for admission into a primary care NP program (FNP, Adult and Geriatric Primary Care, Peds Primary Care). However, if you know you want to do acute care, like the ER, then you do need RN experience for acute care NP programs. The other option is PA. Good luck.