New grad NP working as floor nurse

llg, PhD, RN · May 1, 2011

It's a good question -- and one that does not have an easy answer. A lot would depend on the personal experience of the person doing the hiring. I've known a couple of people who have gotten "entry-level" MSN's with NP's who got there first jobs as staff nurses and it worked out.

However, that was a couple of years ago when the job market was different. I can imagine a lot of hiring managers being hesitant to hire someone who appears to be looking for a short term job only. People don't want to invest in the lengthy orientation of a new grad if it appears she will not stay in the job for very long. Other job applicants who appear to WANT that job as their long-term job will be more attractive.

But I suspect different managers will have differing perspectives on whether they would take a chance on someone in the situation you describe. It probably depends on their past experiences and their opinions of the applicant pool.

MC1906 · May 2, 2011

I think those are two different roads....is the concern not finding a job as a NP or not having experience in nursing??? The responsibilities and duties of a RN vs. NP are vastly different. If you've graduated from NP school and passed your NP exam, you should be able to practice with the basic level of competence as a NP. Of course you can always learn something at the bedside, despite your level of education/degree. My suggestion would be to finish RN school, work and then go back to school as a NP....that can help you decide what area you want to specialize in. Research is now starting to show that direct entry NPs are doing fine with practice.

Good luck!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 2, 2011

My suggestion would be to finish RN school, work and then go back to school as a NP....
Good luck!

ahh... if only it were that simple.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 3, 2011

The situation is like this. I graduated with my BSN in August 2010. I fully intended to work for a few years as an RN before going back to grad school. But after 6 months of job searching, I decided not to waste any more time and applied for grad school. I have nothing against working as a floor nurse as a PNP either, until I have some experience. I just don't want my master's degree to count against me.

ktliz · May 4, 2011

Some facilities see it as a liability and may refuse to hire you as an RN, since you are held to the standards of your highest license. I'm not quite sure I understand the rationale but that's how it is. Other places don't seem to care.

ErnestineB2009 · May 4, 2011

I asked my professor at school, and she states in NYS that is totally false that you will be held to the liability of your highest license if you work as A REGISTERED NURSE even if you have a NP license.

Annaiya, NP · May 7, 2011

Generally speaking when you are talking about legal liability it is often a "reasonable person" standard. From this it makes complete sense that if you are a licensed NP and something happened to your patient the court will consider should you have known better as an NP. Just because you are working under the scope of practice of an RN doesn't mean you don't still have all of your NP knowledge. It doesn't expand your scope of practice it just expands your scope of legal liability. Which is why I'm guessing some hopspitals would not considering hiring an NP as an RN. It may even affect their malpractice insurance rates, or their contract could prohibit it.

Edit to add: I am speculating on this and don't have any authority to point you to, however it is consistent with anything I've ever heard about how the standard works.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · May 8, 2011

Generally speaking when you are talking about legal liability it is often a "reasonable person" standard. From this it makes complete sense that if you are a licensed NP and something happened to your patient the court will consider should you have known better as an NP. Just because you are working under the scope of practice of an RN doesn't mean you don't still have all of your NP knowledge. It doesn't expand your scope of practice it just expands your scope of legal liability. Which is why I'm guessing some hopspitals would not considering hiring an NP as an RN. It may even affect their malpractice insurance rates, or their contract could prohibit it.
Edit to add: I am speculating on this and don't have any authority to point you to, however it is consistent with anything I've ever heard about how the standard works.

that's exactly what it is.

MarathonNP · May 9, 2011

I have met an NP that was working in the ER as a RN... She said sometimes she works as a NP and sometimes as an RN. Not really sure why, we were both there as travelers.. I was working as NP and she as RN.

I do KNOW you must purchase NP malpractice insurance which is much higher then regular RN malpractice insurance.

I was going to work as a Peds RN after a bad experience with my first NP job and had no problem finding multiple companies to hire me for traveling. ( i had 3 years experience as Peds RN)

If you will be an NP though, I would just get a job as NP. They are totally different roles and there is a transition time. Why waste your time working as RN if you are a NP? Just get the NP experience, which is more important as RN experience.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 9, 2011

How hard is it to find NP jobs if you have little to no RN experience? Not to restart the discussion of whether NP programs should accept students with no RN experience, but that's my reality right now.

studentANP · May 12, 2011

well that is a good question, but i don't have a real answer for you but this is what i would do.

why not try to get a part-time or per-diem job in whatever specialty you think would help you when you graduate as a NP. if you graduated in 2010 with your BSN you can't be finished with grad school already? so why not try to get something going this summer if you have a break from school. i already know i want to be a cardio NP, so most of my experience therefore is in cardiology. vice veraa....good luck!