NP programs and work experience

All of the NP's I've ever worked with had at least a decade of practice behind them. Some were outpost nurses up north and others had been military nurses. Never can have enough background experience....

I second what Fiona says.

A NP without clinical experience would scare me. Just MHO.

There are some NP programs in the US that will accept you without any RN experience but none in Canada that I know of. When I did my program (in the US) there were a few BSN's who had not worked a day as a nurse and found it extremely difficult to keep us. Our program built on what was assumed we knew about basic care and went from there. I also feel that although some of these RN's made it through the program it was harder to find a job afterwards as many employers heavily consider your RN experience when hiring you. These factors are just as relevant in Canada. So if you are a new RN grad try to find a job in your area of interest keeping in mind what area you would like to practice in as an NP.

Thanks everyone for the insight. It makes sense that experience would be important. What I had in mind was doing the program part time over 5 years or so. This way by the time I actaully graduate I will have some significant medical experience as an RN. I guess there are many ways to get to the same destination of becoming an NP.

Thanks again for the advice everyone!

There are some NP programs in the US that will accept you without any RN experience but none in Canada that I know of. When I did my program (in the US) there were a few BSN's who had not worked a day as a nurse and found it extremely difficult to keep us. Our program built on what was assumed we knew about basic care and went from there. I also feel that although some of these RN's made it through the program it was harder to find a job afterwards as many employers heavily consider your RN experience when hiring you. These factors are just as relevant in Canada. So if you are a new RN grad try to find a job in your area of interest keeping in mind what area you would like to practice in as an NP.