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.

Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.
7 minutes ago, murseman24 said:

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

Well said!!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
12 hours ago, murseman24 said:

You will not have any respect as an NP with no RN experience, and will have much difficulty finding a good job.

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.

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

Hopefully respect is given or withheld based on merit not on presumption of prior experience.

There are some crummy NP programs out there, and hopefully they are on the way out. FWIW, CCNE accreditation now requires NP programs to provide clinical environment and preceptors for their students.

We don't disagree with the fact the OP needs to figure out what he/she wants in more concrete terms and do some significant research before making any choices. Just want to make sure they have factual information as the foundation.

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That's ultimately what I wanted to do, but unfortunately, you need to have an RN license before you can get into an NP program. That's why I am getting my BSN (my state requires BSN in most NP programs). Good luck ?

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Ohio State U. offers direct entry NP with no nursing experience.

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3 hours ago, MiHopeFull said:

Ohio State U. offers direct entry NP with no nursing experience.

there are a handful of programs like this. i think upenn is another one. you don’t need experience but somewhere during the program you take the nclex to get an rn license. honestly, they’ll probably make sure you gain experience during the program once you get your rn license and then count that as bedside experience.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
On 1/17/2020 at 3:39 PM, NurseSultan said:

That's ultimately what I wanted to do, but unfortunately, you need to have an RN license before you can get into an NP program. That's why I am getting my BSN (my state requires BSN in most NP programs). Good luck ?

Direct-entry NP programs are simply accelerated RN programs (for those with non-nursing bachelors degrees) paired with a graduate NP program. After the accelerated RN, students can normally choose to continue directly into the graduate program full time or transition to a part-time graduate portion while working as an RN.

For better or worse, most direct-entry NP programs also have a RN work hours requirement to complete the graduate portion.

49 minutes ago, Gmilitar said:

you don’t need experience but somewhere during the program you take the nclex to get an rn license.

All direct-entry programs are like this. All NP students must have their RN licence before continuing on to their APRN education and training.

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Vanderbilt just started a program last year like this. There are a few more too i have seen. This is the future as population coverage increase and providers reimbursements decrease. Its a great idea to bypass the RN degree if you do not want to do bed-side.

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Specializes in N/A.
1 hour ago, krisdew2 said:

Vanderbilt just started a program last year like this. There are a few more too i have seen. This is the future as population coverage increase and providers reimbursements decrease. Its a great idea to bypass the RN degree if you do not want to do bed-side.

What is the program that your referring to at Vanderbilt pls?

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
On 1/16/2020 at 6:13 AM, Sun1 said:

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.

It will REALLY help you to narrow down your interest areas before heading this direction. NPs are specialists and you MUST decide which direction you want to go during the application phase of direct-entry programs. Gaining admission can also be much easier if you are able to articulate WHY you want to focus on Gerontology, or pediatrics, or psych, or are passionate about primary care in a rural area, or whatever it is that motivates you. Direct-entry programs are looking for motivated students who have a solid sense of what they are getting into and WHY they are going down this career path.

I'd also encourage you to take another look at NP programs if you think they are the "easy" way out of not having to take the GRE or have professional experience - - while direct-entry programs may not require nursing specific experience they usually do want to see transferable skill set and an applicant's ability to articulate how their current/prior skills and profession set them up to succeed in the profession they are transitioning into (again knowing which specialty one wants is key here -- much easier to talk about how your previous experience as a small business owner will transfer to opening a private practice mental health clinic or how your years volunteering with a summer camp for children with disabilities has fostered a desire to become a pediatric NP). The good direct-entry NP programs are highly competitive, and good doesn't mean "Ivy league" but those who have a reputation for turning out solid new graduates who are ready to enter practice and who actively work to ensure their students have clinical placements which support student learning along the way. I applied to several direct-entry programs all of which required GRE as part of the admissions process, along with good GPA, essay, letters of recommendation, and interview among other requirements - this wasn't the "easy" path.

If you really don't know which specialty is for you, it may be worth while to either look at PA programs - which are generalist in nature and which allow for easier transitioning of specialty down the road -- or of attaining ASN/BSN and working as a RN for a while and figuring out what you want to do with an advanced practice degree.

Finally - remember that being an NP involves being an RN -- in many states the NP is a credential which is tied to RN license not a separate license. It's okay to know that you want the training and responsibility of an NP going into the field -- it is not okay to disparage the role of the RN or the knowledge and skills acquired at this level. Even through a direct-entry program you must still learn the foundational RN knowledge and skill-set before continuing into higher level training.

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Specializes in N/A.
1 hour ago, verene said:

It will REALLY help you to narrow down your interest areas before heading this direction. NPs are specialists and you MUST decide which direction you want to go during the application phase of direct-entry programs. Gaining admission can also be much easier if you are able to articulate WHY you want to focus on Gerontology, or pediatrics, or psych, or are passionate about primary care in a rural area, or whatever it is that motivates you. Direct-entry programs are looking for motivated students who have a solid sense of what they are getting into and WHY they are going down this career path.

I'd also encourage you to take another look at NP programs if you think they are the "easy" way out of not having to take the GRE or have professional experience - - while direct-entry programs may not require nursing specific experience they usually do want to see transferable skill set and an applicant's ability to articulate how their current/prior skills and profession set them up to succeed in the profession they are transitioning into (again knowing which specialty one wants is key here -- much easier to talk about how your previous experience as a small business owner will transfer to opening a private practice mental health clinic or how your years volunteering with a summer camp for children with disabilities has fostered a desire to become a pediatric NP). The good direct-entry NP programs are highly competitive, and good doesn't mean "Ivy league" but those who have a reputation for turning out solid new graduates who are ready to enter practice and who actively work to ensure their students have clinical placements which support student learning along the way. I applied to several direct-entry programs all of which required GRE as part of the admissions process, along with good GPA, essay, letters of recommendation, and interview among other requirements - this wasn't the "easy" path.

If you really don't know which specialty is for you, it may be worth while to either look at PA programs - which are generalist in nature and which allow for easier transitioning of specialty down the road -- or of attaining ASN/BSN and working as a RN for a while and figuring out what you want to do with an advanced practice degree.

Finally - remember that being an NP involves being an RN -- in many states the NP is a credential which is tied to RN license not a separate license. It's okay to know that you want the training and responsibility of an NP going into the field -- it is not okay to disparage the role of the RN or the knowledge and skills acquired at this level. Even through a direct-entry program you must still learn the foundational RN knowledge and skill-set before continuing into higher level training.

Thanks for your comments. I think an Acute or FNP would be a great way to go....what are some good Direct entry NP programs can you recommend. Also, can they be done part-time if possible?

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17 hours ago, Sun1 said:

Thanks for your comments. I think an Acute or FNP would be a great way to go....what are some good Direct entry NP programs can you recommend. Also, can they be done part-time if possible?

I dont think you can do acute care NP without acute care RN experience. But for FNP program, schools don't always require RN experience. If you're not sure which specialty you want to do, PA would be the best option.

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Specializes in N/A.
14 minutes ago, juviasama said:

I dont think you can do acute care NP without acute care RN experience. But for FNP program, schools don't always require RN experience. If you're not sure which specialty you want to do, PA would be the best option.

Thanks for the suggestion....I think NP is best for me now.

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