NP schools without an RN license

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Looking for direct entry NP schools (no RN license) that have a good reputation, that actually teach students properly (one is not left to do the bulk of the studying on their own)....and are receptive to student concerns. Any ideas please do share....if you have attended that school, pls do share your experiences about that as well. Also, if this is an online format....can you please share how it compares to a traditional classroom setting.

Many thanks for all your suggestions.

4 hours ago, Hyperflycemia said:

Why become a PA over an NP?

There are many ways for non-nursing BA/BS degree holders to become NPs.

1. Direct-entry MSN/DNP-NP programs take non-nursing degree holders through an accelerated RN program to the NCLEX and then directly into an RN to NP program (MSN or DNP).

2. Enroll in an accelerated (or regular) ADN/BSN program and then bridge to a graduate NP program.

PA might be faster for someone who is not already a nurse, and the training doesn't necessarily assume that you've put in as much time in a medical field as an NP education might. A year or two of prerequisites (if you are very devoted) then two years of school. But that assumes a person could at least quit working for two years.

Just tossing that out there.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Just now, shiftingtides said:

PA might be faster for someone who is not already a nurse, and the training doesn't necessarily assume that you've put in as much time in a medical field as an NP education might. A year or two of prerequisites (if you are very devoted) then two years of school. But that assumes a person could at least quit working for two years.

Just tossing that out there.

There are some significant benefits to going the NP route over the PA route (IMHO).

Both routes are going to take the average non-nursing BS/BA applicant three to four years between prereqs and the program. PA programs often times have a no-work requirement during the program while most DENP students can work full or part time all the way through.

Neither choice is the "wrong" choice, but the NP route does have some advantages that (IMHO) outweigh the disadvantages.

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OP,

As other members mentioned, it would help to know what type of NP you are aiming to be. There are different NP specialties out there.

There is probably a program that meet your general criteria, but you really could not ask for much more if you manage to find one that provides good preceptors for their NP students.

Good as in:

-Willing to educate, and give you opportunities to demonstrate

-Willing to critique, but in an objective manner

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I'm in the same situation. I have non-nursing Bachelor's degree and was interested in becoming an FNP. Here are the accelerated programs that I applied to that I suggest looking into:

1) Emory University (Accelerated BSN + MSN). You can also switch to a DNP after you complete the BSN.

2) Oregon Health & Science University (Accelerated BSN to DNP)

3) Seattle University (direct entry DNP for non-nursing background)

4) Vanderbilt University

5) Samuel Merritt - Entry Level MSN

There are more schools out there! The programs listed above will allow you graduate as an NP.

You can also look for Master's programs that allow you to sit for your NCLEX only. You'll just have to complete an additional certificate/program after you graduate for your NP license. In this situation, some schools may require you to work for 1-2 years prior to applying. Here are some of my suggestions:

1) Western University of Health Science

2) Alverno College (New program and CHEAP! Check it out)

3) Marquette University

There's tons of options! I recommend using this tool from the American Association of College of Nursing: https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Overview-of-Accreditation/Find-Accredited-Programs

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Specializes in anesthesiology.
6 hours ago, Hyperflycemia said:

Why become a PA over an NP?

To gain a clinical background. And a job. A PA vs. an NP with no clinical background is clearly the better candidate.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
1 minute ago, murseman24 said:

To gain a clinical background. And a job. A PA vs. an NP with no clinical background is clearly the better candidate.

I am curious what you are basing this on? Just your personal opinion?

I have taught DENP students for many years for a high quality and well respected brick and mortar program. The program has a 6-mo postgrad employment percentage of near 100% for the past two decades. I know at least one other local program has similar numbers.

In the event that an NP is having trouble finding a job, they could also get employment as an RN to gain further clinical experience where-as the PA is unable to.

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30 minutes ago, Hyperflycemia said:

I am curious what you are basing this on? Just your personal opinion?

I have taught DENP students for many years for a high quality and well respected brick and mortar program. The program has a 6-mo postgrad employment percentage of near 100% for the past two decades. I know at least one other local program has similar numbers.

In the event that an NP is having trouble finding a job, they could also get employment as an RN to gain further clinical experience where-as the PA is unable to.

not to mention that nps have more autonomy, i think, on a national level. and if you don’t have a healthcare background, it’ll be much harder to get into a pa program as most programs require a lot of clinical hrs.

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Specializes in N/A.
17 hours ago, DTWriter said:

OP,

As other members mentioned, it would help to know what type of NP you are aiming to be. There are different NP specialties out there.

There is probably a program that meet your general criteria, but you really could not ask for much more if you manage to find one that provides good preceptors for their NP students.

Good as in:

-Willing to educate, and give you opportunities to demonstrate

-Willing to critique, but in an objective manner

I really liked what you mentioned....So what are some good programs that do exactly as you have said?

PA is a good profession....but I think the newer programs are a bit too disorganized, and going to an established one requires taking the GRE, and having quality PCE hours.

I don't mind being any type of NP at this time...just wanted to avoid having to being a RN in the middle and have the autonomy that an NP does.

Many thanks.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
1 hour ago, Sun1 said:

I don't mind being any type of NP at this time...just wanted to avoid having to being a RN in the middle and have the autonomy that an NP does.

Be aware of the fact that this type of attitude and these kind of statements are going to make your life very difficult as you go through any type of nursing school.

Consider to yourself that what you are saying is that you want autonomy without experience. That’s a dangerous thing in any profession, but especially in this one, where basic decisions you will make hundreds of times a day have life or death implications to the patients you treat.

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3 hours ago, Sun1 said:

PA is a good profession....but I think the newer programs are a bit too disorganized, and going to an established one requires taking the GRE, and having quality PCE hours.

I don't mind being any type of NP at this time...just wanted to avoid having to being a RN in the middle and have the autonomy that an NP does.

Many thanks.

I think you need to do some more research on what it means to be an NP versus a PA. I feel like you would be better suited for a PA program if you really dont want to be an RN. Many of the NP programs after part-time options after getting their RN because they want their students to start getting valuable clinical experience. Also any NP that you talk to will describe how they are always a nurse first. You can't just dismiss that valuable factor of being an NP because you want some autonomy.

Also I think you need to take a long look at what NP you want to be. Many programs want you to already have a specialty and future practice focus picked out your mind. It sounds like you haven't done much research. You statements come off as you're just trying to find the easiest way into these programs without caring.

I highly advise to look like current forums for people who are applying to like UCSF 2019 direct-entry NP program. They are highly motivated by their current clinical experiences and want to help vulnerable patient populations. The people selected for interviews very confidently know what they want to do upon graduation and exactly why they picked their specialty.

Either path you take you can't skip accruing important clinical experiences either to get in. Direct-entry NP programs may not require it upfront, but they are extremely hard to get into.

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Specializes in anesthesiology.
On 1/15/2020 at 6:02 PM, Hyperflycemia said:

I am curious what you are basing this on? Just your personal opinion?

I have taught DENP students for many years for a high quality and well respected brick and mortar program. The program has a 6-mo postgrad employment percentage of near 100% for the past two decades. I know at least one other local program has similar numbers.

In the event that an NP is having trouble finding a job, they could also get employment as an RN to gain further clinical experience where-as the PA is unable to.

Yes, on my personal opinion and anecdotal experience. Just as everything on this blog is based on, and the only way to answer this question. I'm glad the students found A job after 6 mos. I hope they were good jobs, and I hope they didn't have to work as a bedside RN to qualify for your scores. The fact that you even have to mention your school is "brick and mortar" highlights the problem that plagues many NP graduates, that there are a lot of diploma mills that require you to find your own preceptors and will admit anyone without a clinical nursing background.

I know of quite a few NPs with solid clinical backgrounds that have problems finding preceptors to finish their degrees and are offered salaries not much better than they were receiving as an RN.

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Specializes in anesthesiology.
12 hours ago, Sun1 said:

I don't mind being any type of NP at this time...just wanted to avoid having to being a RN in the middle and have the autonomy that an NP does.

You will not have any respect as an NP with no RN experience, and will have much difficulty finding a good job. PA school is more difficult, it cuts out the nursing theory classes for hard sciences and requires a lot more clinical hours (the ones you were supposed to get as an RN before going to NP school). The tradeoff is that no one will question your training. There are a lot of NP schools that will accept almost anyone, leave you to find your own clinical preceptors, be happy to take your money, and dilute the quality of the NP graduates. Most NPs take jobs in the fields they were working in as RNs.

Being a PA also provides you flexibility. You can work in surgery, ED, critical care, primary care. As an NP you would have to choose family or acute care, and there are very few NPs who work surgery. Again, most NPs take jobs in the field they have experience and contacts in as an RN.

You are looking for the easy road. You may not like what you find at the destination.

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