NO experience new graduate BSN student applying for MSN-FNP graduate school?

[2bABLE]

I am torn on what I should do with my application to graduate school. I have no bedside experience in the nursing workforce, but I don't believe that it would change my abilities to be a competent, compassionate NP. Please help assure me that bedside nursing experience is NOT a necessity in becoming an amazing NP!!!! Thank you in advance.

[shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm not complaining about direct entry programs. My complaint is your opinion that this somehow makes you a better clinician, as you have stated multiple times in this thread. That is my "complaint".

I think residencies are great experience. However, I don't know too many people that can afford to take that severe of a pay cut. I think it's laughable to expect a professional to work for a pittance.

I did not say it makes an NP a better clinician. Where did I say that? I said bedside nursing is not required or necessary for primary care NPs.

A study on clinical exam skills in which NPs were evaluated by both NPs and MDs found the NPs w/o RN experience did have slightly better skills. Go argue with the study authors, not me.

Gee, I guess MDs shouldn't have to do residencies, either then, since they also make a pittance.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

At least he has published arguments to support his position, where is yours?

It doesn't work that way. Bad research is not preferable to no research. Poorly powered, low level of evidence designs that lend to multiple biases produce low quality studies. And, as anyone working as a NP should know, studies like this absolutely cannot be used to establish recommendations for clinical practice, so why in this instance, are we using them to support conclusions about NP educational paradigms?

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

I appreciate what you are saying. However, increasing clinical hours would not be "free." It could mean more time in school, which costs money. It is also hard to find preceptors. Residencies could be funded by Medicare or a similar program and NPs in residency are productive and the NPs themselves can earn a salary.

So we shouldn't do this because it would mean more time in school and that costs money. So that's a bad idea. BUT...

Anyone can apply for any residency in the U.S. Yes, some people would have to relocate. So what?

We don't care that people would have to relocate, arguably a MUCH more expensive undertaking for the NP.

Third, I don't think it would be that hard to get Medicare or other funding for NP residencies, because there is a shortage of primary care and mental health providers. Since not enough MDs are going into these areas, I would think the federal and state governments could come up with the money.

Hahaha. I would love to know where you think they will "come up with the money". Like they've just got it sitting around somewhere. Physicians are decrying the insufficient amount of residencies available for them and I don't see any more residencies opening. The Balanced Budget Act capped their residencies, so why do you think they'll go ahead and create more for NPs. It would be entirely up to hospitals to fund any of this. And do you realize how many slots would need to be made available for NP graduates? The task is beyond daunting and completely unrealistic.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I did not say it makes an NP a better clinician. Where did I say that?

.

Let me refresh your memory...

...NP students w/o RN experience actually do better in grad school and also have better clinical exam skills than students with RN skills.

...I was recently in an MSN NP program and during our physical assessment labs, I did as well or better than the students who were currently RNs or who had RN experience. I didn't see any of them that did any better than the rest of us. In addition, their charting skills were no better.

...If RNs with such experience have great assessment skills, wonderful! How come I wasn't dazzled by their exam skills during our assessment classes?

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

A study on clinical exam skills in which NPs were evaluated by both NPs and MDs found the NPs w/o RN experience did have slightly better skills. Go argue with the study authors, not me.

And that "study" was a survey, full of confirmation bias...

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Closed for review.