Nnp questions

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Ok so i want to be a neontal nurse practitioner and well i want to understand the steps more

Can i go stright to get my bsn ? Then go go bsn to msn? And a after my bsn get my msn online while working to get hours? And then apply for the nnp program? And i can get my bsn and rn at the same time or how does that work i want to skip asn -bsn and just go stright to bsn-msn or would i be the same i want my rn but im just kinda confused but kinda set

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Yeah it can be confusing at first and sometimes I still get confused. Start with just one thing at a time, earning your RN. Don't make the mistake of thinking becoming an NP is an easier and equal option to earning an MD. You also might find other specialties in nursing that you love as you go along!

First the RN. You can earn it through these options:

1. ADN - associates degree, normally takes 3 years if you are FT. You are eligible to take a state board exam for your RN licenseure after successful completion.

2. BSN - bachelors, at a 4 year school, same board exam as ADNs take once you successfully complete the program to earn your RN

3. ABSN - accelerated bachelors, if you hold a bachelors degree already in another field, takes about 12-18 months FT, same board exam

4. MSN - masters, if you hold a bachelors degree already in another field, same board exam

Then NP options:

1. ADN to MSN - skips the bachelor's part

2. MSN -some schools require RN clinical experience; others do not

3. BSN to DNP - skips the master's; this option depends on what your state laws are for practicing NP's

4. MSN to DNP

To earn the NP, you have another board exam to take. You can work once you've earned your RN however way you chose while you pursue your NP.

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Specializes in ICU.

Additionally, for entry to an NNP program, you will need experience as an RN in a NICU. I'm not aware of any programs that will take you without it, unlike a lot of the other NP specialties (and if there's any out there, that's NOT the program you want to be going to).

So your path is going to look something like this: Obtain RN (get your BSN, it will make you more competitive for the highly sought after NICU positions) --> work 2 years as NICU RN --> Apply to NNP programs

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Additionally, for entry to an NNP program, you will need experience as an RN in a NICU. I'm not aware of any programs that will take you without it, unlike a lot of the other NP specialties (and if there's any out there, that's NOT the program you want to be going to).

So your path is going to look something like this: Obtain RN (get your BSN, it will make you more competitive for the highly sought after NICU positions) --> work 2 years as NICU RN --> Apply to NNP programs

I know a lot of AN'ers don't like this, but times ARE changing. More and more NP programs are tailoring their curriculum for RN's with NO clinical experience. I am not saying this is the best thing. But it is happening. For example, one of the top 5 ranked NNP schools is University of Missouri-Kansas City (according to nursejournal.org) and does not require RN clinical experience for the NNP program. It took me half a minute's search to find that.

I think that working while earning your MSN or DNP is important though. That is 3 years of RN clinical experience (if one goes DNP)

I support these changes, because my generation (millennial), at least by what we learned in classes and personal experience in my nursing cohort, seem to be pretty ambitious and goal oriented. Most of my class want to become NP's, and we are a generation that procures changes to favor and support our ambitious goals.

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Please tell me if tbis makes sense but i made thhjs plan for my self

Get my rn and bsn

After getting my bsn go work amd get experience while working get my msn online or stright to my dnp whatever is right for me at the time

Then apply for the nnp program

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Please tell me if tbis makes sense but i made thhjs plan for my self

Get my rn and bsn

After getting my bsn go work amd get experience while working get my msn online or stright to my dnp whatever is right for me at the time

Then apply for the nnp program

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/pleade-help-guide-1120812.html

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Specializes in NICU.
I know a lot of AN'ers don't like this, but times ARE changing. More and more NP programs are tailoring their curriculum for RN's with NO clinical experience. I am not saying this is the best thing. But it is happening. For example, one of the top 5 ranked NNP schools is University of Missouri-Kansas City (according to nursejournal.org) and does not require RN clinical experience for the NNP program. It took me half a minute's search to find that.

I support these changes, because my generation (millennial), at least by what we learned in classes and personal experience in my nursing cohort, seem to be pretty ambitious and goal oriented. Most of my class want to become NP's, and we are a generation that procures changes to favor and support our ambitious goals.

I was pretty incredulous to read that because neonatology is like CRNA in that it's pretty much universal to require NICU experience at least prior to starting a clinical rotation in grad school. I went to the UMKC site and did not see anything about needing RN experience but I emailed the program director because again, that seems completely out of left field.

I will tell you that no employer worth anything will hire a NNP with no RN experience. Even PAs that want to do NICU (who are medical generalists) are doing year long fellowships...

edit:

Aha... direw0lf, see below:

  • NNP Applicants: experience required must be the equivalent of 2 years of full-time RN practice experience within the last 5 years in the care of critically ill newborns or infants in intensive care inpatient settings is required before a student begins the clinical courses. The majority of the clinical experience should be in a Level III and/or IV NICU. Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice experience.

Yup. You need RN experience in order to become a NNP. I know of know school that will accept you without it. And no employer that will hire you. To be totally honest, it's harder to get hired with just 2 years experience even at that unless you're at a Level IV where you see everything...

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I was pretty incredulous to read that because neonatology is like CRNA in that it's pretty much universal to require NICU experience at least prior to starting a clinical rotation in grad school. I went to the UMKC site and did not see anything about needing RN experience but I emailed the program director because again, that seems completely out of left field.

I will tell you that no employer worth anything will hire a NNP with no RN experience. Even PAs that want to do NICU (who are medical generalists) are doing year long fellowships...

edit:

Aha... direw0lf, see below:

  • NNP Applicants: experience required must be the equivalent of 2 years of full-time RN practice experience within the last 5 years in the care of critically ill newborns or infants in intensive care inpatient settings is required before a student begins the clinical courses. The majority of the clinical experience should be in a Level III and/or IV NICU. Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice experience.

Yup. You need RN experience in order to become a NNP. I know of know school that will accept you without it. And no employer that will hire you. To be totally honest, it's harder to get hired with just 2 years experience even at that unless you're at a Level IV where you see everything...

That makes more sense!

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