NP w/no desire for RN?

Specialties NP Nursing Q/A

Well, not so much NO desire...but are there any NP's out there that wanted to become (and had their sights set on being an NP from day 1) an NP with no real 'drive' to be an RN first? My cousin is finishing up her RN-MSN program and never really wanted to become an RN, but she really wanted to become an NP, so she went the RN route to become an NP (which I know you have to do).

I know this is somewhat rare, but wondering are there any other NP's out there that looked at RN as kinda pre-NP school/clinical stuff in order to become an NP? Like, they may not be real thrilled with what they are doing (RN) but they know they have to do it in order to become an NP. Keep in mind I'm not saying you would hate being an RN or hate RN's or anything to that affect, but you dream has been to become an NP and RN school/work is a sort of necessary 'not the most enthusiastic' hurdle?

But there are plenty of direct-entry NP programs, which take people who aren't nurses but have baccalaureate degrees in something else, people who have no healthcare experience at all ...

I am willing to bet a great deal of money that the docs couldn't care less -- nor will anyone else outside of nursing. The MD is the entry into practicing medicine, not a terminal degree that only a tiny percentage of practitioners ever achieve ... They will certainly still not consider any nurses to be their equals or equivalents. (Even) a clinical doctorate in nursing still represents just a fraction of the time, effort, and study that docs put into becoming MDs. And (as I've said before), as long as you can become a Registered Nurse with (just) an Associate's degree, we will never really be taken seriously as professionals by any of the real professions.

In the field of education which I was previously in, you had five years to get a master's degree or you were OUT. Why do you think there are such differences in the education needed to be in both professions?

Well, not so much NO desire...but are there any NP's out there that wanted to become (and had their sights set on being an NP from day 1) an NP with no real 'drive' to be an RN first? My cousin is finishing up her RN-MSN program and never really wanted to become an RN, but she really wanted to become an NP, so she went the RN route to become an NP (which I know you have to do).

I know this is somewhat rare, but wondering are there any other NP's out there that looked at RN as kinda pre-NP school/clinical stuff in order to become an NP? Like, they may not be real thrilled with what they are doing (RN) but they know they have to do it in order to become an NP. Keep in mind I'm not saying you would hate being an RN or hate RN's or anything to that affect, but you dream has been to become an NP and RN school/work is a sort of necessary 'not the most enthusiastic' hurdle?

There are now several universities that offer MSN/NP to students who have degrees in other fields and NOT nursing. I know b/c I went to one of those school, although I was already a BSN. Anyway, after you take the pre-reqs, you are fast paced through a quick RN program (in 1 year) and then you do the NP training. This is very controversial and we had a lot of nurses who were adamently against this practice. I have to admit though, it was a little weird b/c I was taking graduate level nursing classes with students who had not even taken their NCLEX yet! I think when you no longer require the BSN degree, then why not just call it a PA program? I still can't get over the fact that I spent several years as an RN just so I could get into NP school. HA!

I may be old fashion,BUT I don't want a green NP taking care of me as a Patient who has not had any experience. I have been a Nurse for 28 years 18 of which I was a LPN,10 as a RN. I have 2 years into a NP program and if I hadn't had my experience I would have a hard time.. Think about it do you just want someone who is book smart

You're not going to believe this, but I had a PROFESSOR who had never been a RN! She went through one of those NP programs for people with college degrees. One day in class, she said something about giving an IM injection with an 18 gauge needle and all of us "real" nurses just rolled our eyes! What a JOKE! If NP programs are just going to accept someone b/c they have a degree, then they should call it a PA PROGRAM!

Well, not so much NO desire...but are there any NP's out there that wanted to become (and had their sights set on being an NP from day 1) an NP with no real 'drive' to be an RN first? My cousin is finishing up her RN-MSN program and never really wanted to become an RN, but she really wanted to become an NP, so she went the RN route to become an NP (which I know you have to do).

I know this is somewhat rare, but wondering are there any other NP's out there that looked at RN as kinda pre-NP school/clinical stuff in order to become an NP? Like, they may not be real thrilled with what they are doing (RN) but they know they have to do it in order to become an NP. Keep in mind I'm not saying you would hate being an RN or hate RN's or anything to that affect, but you dream has been to become an NP and RN school/work is a sort of necessary 'not the most enthusiastic' hurdle?

Why not just become a PA? There are several certificate, Associate and Bachelor PA programs out there (most states do not require a Master's to be a PA). Just think, by the time it takes you to get your BSN, you can be a PA and then be able to do everything a NP does! That will save you a lot of time and money.

Specializes in ECMO.
Why not just become a PA? There are several certificate, Associate and Bachelor PA programs out there (most states do not require a Master's to be a PA). Just think, by the time it takes you to get your BSN, you can be a PA and then be able to do everything a NP does! That will save you a lot of time and money.

or just go to Stanford and become both :)

Specializes in ECMO.
You're not going to believe this, but I had a PROFESSOR who had never been a RN! She went through one of those NP programs for people with college degrees. One day in class, she said something about giving an IM injection with an 18 gauge needle and all of us "real" nurses just rolled our eyes! What a JOKE! If NP programs are just going to accept someone b/c they have a degree, then they should call it a PA PROGRAM!

totally agree. i may get offended regarding the PA program, but this is the truth and the new trend at many PA schools that accept green 22yr old bio majors who have only "shadowed" a PA. (thats why im starting RT school next fall to be an advancer of "prev health care exp" makes a better mid-level (NP and PA))

and yes i see your fear b/c of the quality of NPs that may be produced by just taking "fake" RN's.

there is a difference between passing your NCLEX board and actually being a RN. one is on paper, the other is on the inside.

or just go to Stanford and become both :)

Interesting that you mentioned that program. I'm not sure why they refer to it as being at Stanford, since only the labs are done there. In fact, the certificate (it's not a degree) has some other schools name on it (can't remember, but it's on the Stanford PA website). I was totally confused that they could offer a FNP "certificate" because that's not a Master's degree. Where in the hell could someone practice? I thought every state in the U.S. required a Master's degree? Plus, in order to get certified as a FNP, you have to have the degree before you can even take the exam! I'm still amazed that there are all these easy ways to become a PA, yet NP's have to spend years in college and we do the SAME THING!

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
=Cyndee, MSN, NP]Interesting that you mentioned that program. I'm not sure why they refer to it as being at Stanford, since only the labs are done there. In fact, the certificate (it's not a degree) has some other schools name on it (can't remember, but it's on the Stanford PA website). I was totally confused that they could offer a FNP "certificate" because that's not a Master's degree. Where .......... could someone practice? I thought every state in the U.S. required a Master's degree? ]

This certification as an NP is only accepted in the state of California. You must possess an MSN in all other states. Those with this certification as NP can practice only in the state of California.

Specializes in ECMO.
Interesting that you mentioned that program. I'm not sure why they refer to it as being at Stanford, since only the labs are done there. In fact, the certificate (it's not a degree) has some other schools name on it (can't remember, but it's on the Stanford PA website). I was totally confused that they could offer a FNP "certificate" because that's not a Master's degree. Where in the hell could someone practice? I thought every state in the U.S. required a Master's degree? Plus, in order to get certified as a FNP, you have to have the degree before you can even take the exam! I'm still amazed that there are all these easy ways to become a PA, yet NP's have to spend years in college and we do the SAME THING!

actually its not that easy, even though PA schools are letting in more students w/o health care experience, they are raising the bar on pre-reqs.

here is a typical PA pre-req sequence

General Biology 8hrs

General Chemistry 8hrs

Organic Chemistry 4hrs

A&P 8hrs

General Microbiology 4hrs

Biochemistry 4hrs* at some

Statistics 4hrs

Psychology 3hrs

but yes there are easy ways to become a PA, such as direct entry programs for HS students that do 3years pre-reqs and then 2 years PA school.(many of these are frowned upon by older PAs)

but then again there are NP programs that require no RN experience, just a license. and there are accelerated RN programs that require 1year -18months of education.

there are easy ways to get into both professions, but it is up to the person to decide whether they want to truly be an excellent clinician and not take the easy way out.

Specializes in RN Psychiatry.
actually its not that easy, even though PA schools are letting in more students w/o health care experience, they are raising the bar on pre-reqs.

here is a typical PA pre-req sequence

General Biology 8hrs

General Chemistry 8hrs

Organic Chemistry 4hrs

A&P 8hrs

General Microbiology 4hrs

Biochemistry 4hrs* at some

Statistics 4hrs

Psychology 3hrs

but yes there are easy ways to become a PA, such as direct entry programs for HS students that do 3years pre-reqs and then 2 years PA school.(many of these are frowned upon by older PAs)

but then again there are NP programs that require no RN experience, just a license. and there are accelerated RN programs that require 1year -18months of education.

there are easy ways to get into both professions, but it is up to the person to decide whether they want to truly be an excellent clinician and not take the easy way out.

I had to take all of those courses as prereqs to get into my direct entry masters program in nursing. Not to mention the other 185 credits I had from undergrad besides that, all most of which were science courses. I don't really know what the convo is thats going on all I know is there are allot of direct entry haters here.

-bcz

Is anyone out there an FNP with no desire for OB?

The only program for me to attend locally only offers an FNP. I absolutely have no desire to work with pregnant women. I do thoroughly enjoy adults, teens, and the geriatric crowd. I am now going through the maternity/OB assessment class and I really am having a tough time. Anyone else?

Is anyone out there an FNP with no desire for OB?

The only program for me to attend locally only offers an FNP. I absolutely have no desire to work with pregnant women. I do thoroughly enjoy adults, teens, and the geriatric crowd. I am now going through the maternity/OB assessment class and I really am having a tough time. Anyone else?

I'm an FNP student and have no desire for OB but I guess it's a necessary evil!

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