New grad to NP. Is it a mistake?

[Nursenick123]

This is a long post, but I'm really looking for input from nurses, NPs, or any other providers. I'm a couple months into my nursing career and have just been accepted into an NP Program, and am wondering if I am making a mistake. I feel ready, but others have told me I shouldn't.

For a little background, I went to a second degree BSN program, and got my first degree in biomedical neuroscience. I graduated my BSN with a 4.0, tutored all med-surg and critical care classes in my program, spent a year working in an ED during school, and currently am in orientation as a nurse in a level 1 trauma ED at a big university health center. I got into adult-acute care NP school in the same university that I work at. It has a great reputation consistently ranking in the top 5 for NP schools in my specialty and was ranked #1 this year for AGACNP. I was approved to attend on a part time basis so I can hold full time work through the program, and get to spend the first year attending non-clinical foundational classes (physiology/pathophysiology, healthcare economics, introduction to practice, etc) then start my core classes the second year. I'll be starting the program as a new grad, but by the time I ever see a patient in school as a NP or take clinical classes I'll have nearly 1.5 year of experience (nearly 3 years by the time I graduate). In my limited time so far as a nurse, I am definitely humbled by how much I don't know in the realm of nursing, but still feel as confident as ever in my understanding of fundamental sciences (Patho/pharm/physiology) so I still just feel ready to move onto further education. I've gotten pushback from a lot of nurses, but encouragement from my professors, preceptors, and my nurse educator in my previous ED job. 

I am wondering if I am just being too naive in thinking I am ready for this. I want to go on to NP solely because I really enjoy diving deeper into diseases and their treatment. I want to go onto outpatient cardiology after school and attend a cardiology fellowship to get a more structured and hands on patient care at the NP level. I think my first undergrad degree prepared me to take on the graduate classes quicker, as I got a lot more exposed to organic chemistry/biochem/physiology, but am wondering if this is too quick, even attending part time. In no way do I want to cut corners to becoming a provider and would never want to jeopardize patient safety, but I just feel ready to take on the additional responsibilities. 

[klone, MSN, RN]

Short answer, yes, it's a mistake. 

If I had a dollar for every brand new nurse I know who immediately enrolled in an NP Program, and then quit once they actually started working as an RN and realized that their interest and passions lie elsewhere, I would be able to buy the #5 value meal at McDonald's. So, I've known about 8 nurses to whom this has happened.

Work a couple years as an RN first. NP school will still be there, if you decide that's still what you want to do.

[Nursenick123]

Would you say it's a mistake because the previous nurses just didn't know what they wanted, or they weren't prepared to take it on? I think one place I differ from a lot of new nurses is my age, as I am in my late 20s. I have at least been around in the healthcare world quite a bit longer (even though I am new as a nurse). 

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

 Given what you've said I don't think it would be a mistake.  You will have RN experience and you obviously have the books smarts and intelligence.

Pharmacists and Physical Therapists get their doctorate without experience.

Medical doctors, while they do go into a residency, are doctors when they graduate and start practicing medicine.  I don't see why NPs can't do the same.  I don't see the value of being a floor nurse for x number of years if you are going to be a provider. 

Good luck.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I don't think its a mistake. However, I do think you need to realize that you will be seeing pts every 15 minutes everyday!  Its grueling and although the knowledge base will be provided in your cardiology fellowship, the paperwork and quick pace will be challenging.

When you graduate please make sure to shadow an NP in the practice you want to work at so that you have a realistic idea of what being a cardiology NP is all about. 

Best wishes with your decision

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

Definitely ignore what other people tell you to do.  Take time to really ponder what YOU want to do.  The world is full of people who have opinions about other people's careers-- unfortunately, some of them are gate-keepers who will say you can't really be an NP because you didn't get enough (what "enough" means is up to interpretation) bedside experience.  Those same people will gate-keep what kind of experience you should have (I've been told mine doesn't count, because it is outpatient).  You are working and gaining experience now.  You can start NP school now, or wait a few years and start it then. Either way will lead you to the same destination.

[LovingLife123]

Yes, it's a mistake.  There is not a ton of respect these days for NPs because they are all going to diploma mills and gave zero medical experience.  There is much more respect for the nurse who becomes an NP after getting a few years of experience under their belts.

I've worked with some fantastic NPs over the years.  They've all had years of bedside experience under their belts.

You want to work cardiac.  Go work on a heart failure unit or a cardiac progressive unit that delves deep into the heart and rhythms.   

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

I was so sure I wanted to go into psych.  After 10 years of working in a variety of jobs, I ended up in anesthesia.  I would not want to pay for 2 expensive degrees just because I didn't give myself enough experience to discover where my passion was.

[Nursenick123]

LovingLife123 said:

Yes, it's a mistake.  There is not a ton of respect these days for NPs because they are all going to diploma mills and gave zero medical experience.  
There is much more respect for the nurse who becomes an NP after getting a few years of experience under their belts.

I've worked with some fantastic NPs over the years.  They've all had years of bedside experience under their belts.

You want to work cardiac.  Go work on a heart failure unit or a cardiac progressive unit that delves deep into the heart and rhythms.   

First, I do really appreciate this comment, because I am trying to work through my own line of thinking on the topic and am open to criticism! But I never fully understood the idea of needing experience to be an NP, because the jobs are so fundamentally different. There is obvious connections between them, but the core aspects of being an NP (diagnosing, prescribing, procedures) you don't do as a nurse. I see it more valuable 5 years down the line to be an NP with 5 years of NP experience than an NP with 1 year NP experience and 4 years RN experience. I've almost found that information that will be relevant at the next level (pathophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, etc) is more fresh in my mind coming right out of school than experienced nurses I've worked with. 

I also don't want to completely diminish the need for experience on the next level, which is why I intentionally applied to attend part time so I can keep working full time for the 2.5 years in the program. I'm not saying I don't need any experience, but is 2.5 years isn't enough what is?

on top of that, I made sure to avoid any "degree mill" programs. The school I would be attending is a well established university with a massive medical system, associated med school (which offers opportunity for inter-professional learning between the two), and a large world-class academic medical center right next door with guaranteed and pre-arranged rotation sites in any sub-specialty we decide to pursue. 

[beachbabe86]

PA school?  Med School?

[Nursenick123]

beachbabe86 said:

PA school?  Med School?

I've thought a lot about both, but med school just isn't for me. Already being late twenties and getting ready to start a family, the commitment for medical school and residency is just not something I could (or want to) fit into my life. I also like the role of a mid level provider. I love being on the diagnostic/prescriptive side of timings, but also like working with a team where I have someone above me to consult and continuously learn from. And PA school is an option I've considered quite a bit, but I like the role of the NP more. I know what I don't want to do (Peds, psych, OB, primary care) so I find it a better use of my time to dive deeper into acute care than spend more time getting a broader education. 

[beachbabe86]

Nursenick123 said:

I've thought a lot about both, but med school just isn't for me. Already being late twenties and getting ready to start a family, the commitment for medical school and residency is just not something I could (or want to) fit into my life. I also like the role of a mid level provider. I love being on the diagnostic/prescriptive side of timings, but also like working with a team where I have someone above me to consult and continuously learn from. And PA school is an option I've considered quite a bit, but I like the role of the NP more. I know what I don't want to do (Peds, psych, OB, primary care) so I find it a better use of my time to dive deeper into acute care than spend more time getting a broader education. 

I can certainly understand your timing on starting your family.  Both my girls are fellowship trained physicians had just had their babies.  They are probably about 7-8 years older than you.  

I do like the fact you have given being a mid level quite a bit of thought. Being an acute care NP seems like a good fit for you and I don't think in your specific situation you are making a mistake.

Best of luck!