NP "Glut" on the market

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Hi, I'm a RN aspiring to be a ACNP w/ FNP certificate. As I read some of the posts throughout the board, I've read that there is a glut of NP's on the market... Is this true? Are you finding it difficult to get a job? Or get paid what you're worth? Or is it just certain areas of the country that is 'glutted'? I am willing to move to a different area (of course, we all would like to stay at home, ultimately) if needed to get a job. What is the prospect for future NP's? Is the insurance industry making it to where the 'excess' NP's out there will be used as the 'worth' is recognized by hospitals/physicians? If you had it to do over again, would you? I'm 38 and nursing is my 2nd career and NP would be my 3rd if you consider it different that nursing...I just don't want to educate myself into a non marketable job or one that might be that way in time...What is your opinion???

Thanks for your honest opinions...

Specializes in ER; CCT.
Of course not, I'm completely fabricated.

In the absence of evidence, what you are desiminating is a complete fabrication and does nothing but harm the reputation of brick and mortar schools that serve the distance education market as well as consumers of those services.

Prove me wrong: provide one reference, just one--it could even be from a third world country bi annual publication on tropical STD's, that supports any of your statements.

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Specializes in ICU, CV-Thoracic Sx, Internal Medicine.
The local online NP program in my area is graduating 60-80 FNP's a semester and I live in a city with a population of less than 300,000. Every single midlevel in town is worried about the oversupply of midlevels, because it is affecting us all.

If it's a completely on-line program did you ever wonder where those students live?

My university, which is pretty large and near a gignormous (

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Specializes in General.
If it's a completely on-line program did you ever wonder where those students live?

My university, which is pretty large and near a gignormous (

I was wondering the same thing, with the lack of qaulified faculty to teach BSN students how can a program graduate that many FNP's a semester. Even with on-line there are limits to the number of students they accept each semester due to the limited faculty. Iknow my University only admits 15 a semester.

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np2b, I think it's also worthy to note that the BSN/ADN limiting factor is not only faculty - but available preceptor positions at local facilities. The states BON have their ratios acceptable for student nurses.

v/r

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For what it's worth, I'm against ASN-MSN programs altogether. Maybe if that was eliminated, it would give more credibility to the NP schools, even the online ones.

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What portion of the BSN curriculum do you find necessary that it would be that beneficial? Most of the ADN to MSN programs I have seen have a course bridge - to provide those 'missing skills' and require the RN to have a non-nursing BS/BS as well.

v/r

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Specializes in General.
np2b, I think it's also worthy to note that the BSN/ADN limiting factor is not only faculty - but available preceptor positions at local facilities. The states BON have their ratios acceptable for student nurses.

v/r

I agree, the same with preceptors for NP students. Most only will take one a semester, as we do tend to slow them a bit. The preceptor I have this fall actually has 2 students. My self and another PNP student. I know every semester students are trying to find a preceptor, and it is getting harder to find one.
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Where I am:

If you are a NP with experience, it is not hard to find a job.

If you are a NP with zero experience, it is not hard to find a job.

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What portion of the BSN curriculum do you find necessary that it would be that beneficial?

All of it.

Most of the ADN to MSN programs I have seen have a course bridge - to provide those 'missing skills' and require the RN to have a non-nursing BS/BS as well.

v/r

I've not seen this. All the RN-MSN programs I've seen don't require any kind of a bachelor's degree. They offer "bridge" courses yet they do not award a bachelor's. You would think if the bridge courses were good enough they would award a bachelor's when you finish.

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All of it.

From the website:

"Though some arts and science courses are included in ADN programs, the BSN provides a much stronger base in the humanities and sciences."

Students whom already have a BS/BA and an ADN also have these additional humanities and science courses.

"In a 2001 survey published in the Journal of Nursing Administration, 72% of these directors identified differences in practice between BSN-prepared nurses and those who have an associate degree or hospital diploma, citing stronger critical thinking and leadership skills."

According to JONA there is a higher level of preparedness of workers with a BSN rather then purely ADN as they are cited with higher leadership and critical thinking skills. However students whom already have a BA/BS have gained critical thinking and leadership skills as well.

I've not seen this. All the RN-MSN programs I've seen don't require any kind of a bachelor's degree. They offer "bridge" courses yet they do not award a bachelor's. You would think if the bridge courses were good enough they would award a bachelor's when you finish.

Which ADN to MSN programs have you seen? I have not come across a masters program that does not require a BA or BS.

Offering the bridge courses (or you having the prior experience to not take them) simply ensures everyone is on the same initial entry at the time of the masters program. There is no reason to backwards award them with a BSN for completing the 3 or 4 bridge courses.

I don't think we are in disagreement - but my viewpoint is strictly for ADNs with prior BS/BA entering the MSN program is a valid start point. This is based on the fact that there is not special clinical knowledge gained in the BSN portion that cannot be obtained in another BSN or via a short transition course period. This is supported by the credentialing agencies supporting theses programs.

v/r

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From the website:

"Though some arts and science courses are included in ADN programs, the BSN provides a much stronger base in the humanities and sciences."

Students whom already have a BS/BA and an ADN also have these additional humanities and science courses.

"In a 2001 survey published in the Journal of Nursing Administration, 72% of these directors identified differences in practice between BSN-prepared nurses and those who have an associate degree or hospital diploma, citing stronger critical thinking and leadership skills."

According to JONA there is a higher level of preparedness of workers with a BSN rather then purely ADN as they are cited with higher leadership and critical thinking skills. However students whom already have a BA/BS have gained critical thinking and leadership skills as well.

Which ADN to MSN programs have you seen? I have not come across a masters program that does not require a BA or BS.

Offering the bridge courses (or you having the prior experience to not take them) simply ensures everyone is on the same initial entry at the time of the masters program. There is no reason to backwards award them with a BSN for completing the 3 or 4 bridge courses.

I don't think we are in disagreement - but my viewpoint is strictly for ADNs with prior BS/BA entering the MSN program is a valid start point. This is based on the fact that there is not special clinical knowledge gained in the BSN portion that cannot be obtained in another BSN or via a short transition course period. This is supported by the credentialing agencies supporting theses programs.

v/r

Well, look at Vanderbilt. They offer a bridge program for ASN-MSN, but don't award a bachelor's degree in between. So, if you complete part of the program but can't finish, you can't even get a BSN out of the deal.

There are a lot of other schools. Frontier School of Midwifery is another. U of Alabama, etc.

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True, but they do require 78 Semester credits of pre-reqs, along with an ADN and a GRE test. The credentialing agency stated the BSN provided students with humanities and science skills above and above the ADN - so it seems pretty fair for the admission. I haven't come across that - thanks!!

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btw vanderbuilts first two semesters for a student with and ADN and 78 credits are purely based on "BSN level courses" prior to even starting the 'masters' portion.. so it still doesn't seem like it 'dilutes the final product of the NP'.

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