NNP experience before school

My goal is to eventually become an NNP. Looking at programs, most require a minimum of 2 years experience as a NICU RN. I have 10 months of experience now, and I'm starting to wonder if 2 years is going to be enough. I certainly don't think that any less than 2 years would be enough. I'm now leaning more toward 3-4 years of experience. Also, because I am young, I think that if I went straight into it after only a couple of years, nobody would take me seriously as an NNP...

There is vast difference between what is required, and what one should have. Most programs that I have looked into require 1-2 years NICU experience. I think you should have at least 3-4 years, in a level III!

I have several friends who are doing and have done CRNA and the ones who were gung-ho and jumped into the program with the minimum 1 yr ICU experience are barely treading water. I don't care who you are, one to two years ICU experience is just not enough to really get a good idea of what you are doing.

I wish you luck!

It is a national requirement that you need to have at least 2 years experience in a lvl III NICU to do your graduate clinicals for NNP.

I'm part of a direct entry program and we basically have an accellerated RN portion, then go to work, taking maybe a class every quarter to get all the theory stuff (like billing etc) then when we have met the minimum and feel we are ready, we can continue.

It is a national requirement that you need to have at least 2 years experience in a lvl III NICU to do your graduate clinicals for NNP.

I'm part of a direct entry program and we basically have an accellerated RN portion, then go to work, taking maybe a class every quarter to get all the theory stuff (like billing etc) then when we have met the minimum and feel we are ready, we can continue.

Our school (also DE) requires ONE full year before starting clinicals, and then you must work full time throughout the program, giving you three years before you sit for the exam. The crappy part is that if you take more than one year off, you must reapply and you lose your scholarship. I say too bad, I'm taking the time I need.

Okay, I am confused now. What do you mean by an accelerated RN portion? What is meant by direct entry?

Is it possible (I'm probably wrong here, so that's why I am asking) that you can enter an NNP program without being an RN first?

Is it possible that one could actually be an NNP after working only one year in NICU? Please tell me that if it's true, that one has to at least work full-time in a Level IIIc, or at least a IIIb.

It is a national requirement that you need to have at least 2 years experience in a lvl III NICU to do your graduate clinicals for NNP.

I'm part of a direct entry program and we basically have an accellerated RN portion, then go to work, taking maybe a class every quarter to get all the theory stuff (like billing etc) then when we have met the minimum and feel we are ready, we can continue.

Could you PM me and tell me more about where you go to school and the program you are. I need details here. I think I do know where you are going to school, because I went there too and we have talked before but i didn't want to say it on here if you didn't want that info out. Please get back to me when you can. Thank you;)

Okay, I am confused now. What do you mean by an accelerated RN portion? What is meant by direct entry?

Is it possible (I'm probably wrong here, so that's why I am asking) that you can enter an NNP program without being an RN first?

Is it possible that one could actually be an NNP after working only one year in NICU? Please tell me that if it's true, that one has to at least work full-time in a Level IIIc, or at least a IIIb.

Sorry - to clarify - a direct entry master's program is generally for folks who have a bachelor's in another field. You take the GRE and all the basic science prerequisites (bio, chem, A&P, math, etc) before you apply. Then you do a BSN in 12-18 months and sit the NCLEX. Then you continue 1.5-3 years for a Master's degree.

eta: not all schools grant an actual degree after the first portion. Some just have you sit the NCLEX, in which case you are a "bachelor's prepared RN" but don't have a BSN.

You can't be an NNP (i.e., sit certification boards) without 2 years full-time experience in a level III NICU. You can, however, begin clinicals after one year (in a level III).