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?

Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Not a nurse, but if you have no desire to become an RN...wouldn't it be better for you to just become an PA or MD?

Good luck to you :balloons:

If you are saying that you want to end up with the scope of practice and the autonomy of a nurse practioner and see obtaining your BSN as merely a stepping stone rather than a stopping place, I'm sure there are many who share your game plan. For instance, there are a number of posters on this forum who talk about aiming for advanced practice as CRNAs and some haven't even started school yet.

It might help us understand your question better if you tell us how you see each role and what the major differences are between them.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
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?

Hello, Pinoy2.0,:balloons:

I think I understand what you are saying. You are interested in becoming an NP, but, do not want to practice as an RN. Well, as you possibly know, you must become RN first. An NP is an RN, practicing in the advanced role.

Normally, and, I make this suggestion for any RN contemplating the role of NP, you should work as a RN for a while before going to an NP program. You need the experience the RN gathers in order to make yourself a better NP. This experience is invaluable. I had no idea I was going to make an NP when I graduated from my nursing program. I worked for a few years before that realization set in. Then, I did a 4 year preceptorship with an OB-GYN specialist before going to an NP program. The experience I gained as an RN truly set my course for the advanced practice role as NP. Don't sell the role of RN short here. You need that experience in order to go forward.

Now, I do not advocate that all RNs work for years and years before undertaking NP school. Just get some experience as an RN first. What I did for myself was strictly what I thought was necessary.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

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?

That's exactly what I did. Only went NP route because more autonomy in my state. And hated every minute of the RN part. In fact, I even talked the grad school into accepting me w/o RN experience. But, after realizing they weren't going to teach me any medicine, stopped and worked ER for a couple years to learn it on my own. Helped me tremendously.

boy, this post hits home for me!!!!!! i'm in a r.n. program right now and i'm already making plans (taking extra classes) so that right after i get out of the adn program i will have a jump start for the rn to bsn track ...work while i'm doing that, to get some experience... then go to school for n.p., it's not that i think there's anything wrong w/ being an r.n. verse an n.p., i just think i'd prefer the np duties over the bedside nursing duties.....

Hello, Pinoy2.0,:balloons:

You need the experience the RN gathers in order to make yourself a better NP. This experience is invaluable.

I thought 31 years ought to be enough, he, he:chuckle

boy, this post hits home for me!!!!!! i'm in a r.n. program right now and i'm already making plans (taking extra classes) so that right after i get out of the adn program i will have a jump start for the rn to bsn track ...work while i'm doing that, to get some experience... then go to school for n.p., it's not that i think there's anything wrong w/ being an r.n. verse an n.p., i just think i'd prefer the np duties over the bedside nursing duties.....

Yup! that may be my plan too. I really don't want the "bedside" nursing career. I'll put in my time and do the best I can at it, but it'd just be a stepping stone to another place. You hear this all the time from the CRNA's getting their year ICU experience and then, SEE YA...off to CRNA school. So yeah, why not NP's too?

Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.
Yup! that may be my plan too. I really don't want the "bedside" nursing career. I'll put in my time and do the best I can at it, but it'd just be a stepping stone to another place. You hear this all the time from the CRNA's getting their year ICU experience and then, SEE YA...off to CRNA school. So yeah, why not NP's too?

I completely agree.

GO FOR IT!! Skip the RN time and don't look back. PA's aren't required to "do time" why should nurse practioners be required to do such? Also, something I've noticed as I investigated your question among nurses with varying degrees of experience:

The nurses that climbed their way up the hard way always seemed to think many years of experience were needed prior to becoming an NP. It's almost as if they were thinking, "I went through the punishment, and you should too". Luckily, this type of thought is changing, and these nurses who have worked being miserable with their two year degree for 30 years will soon be retiring. I had the unfortunate experience of being under their grumpy preceptorship during most of my BSN clinicals-- YuK! An interesting sidenote to this: most of these nurses were overweight, ate junk food at work all day, compained incessantly yet never did anything about their complaint, and took smoke-breaks whenever they could. This is the antithesis of what NP's stand for: mind/body holistic healthcare. No wonder these nurses never went past two years education.

Specializes in RN Psychiatry.
Hello, Pinoy2.0,:balloons:

I think I understand what you are saying. You are interested in becoming an NP, but, do not want to practice as an RN. Well, as you possibly know, you must become RN first. An NP is an RN, practicing in the advanced role.

Normally, and, I make this suggestion for any RN contemplating the role of NP, you should work as a RN for a while before going to an NP program. You need the experience the RN gathers in order to make yourself a better NP. This experience is invaluable. I had no idea I was going to make an NP when I graduated from my nursing program. I worked for a few years before that realization set in. Then, I did a 4 year preceptorship with an OB-GYN specialist before going to an NP program. The experience I gained as an RN truly set my course for the advanced practice role as NP. Don't sell the role of RN short here. You need that experience in order to go forward.

Now, I do not advocate that all RNs work for years and years before undertaking NP school. Just get some experience as an RN first. What I did for myself was strictly what I thought was necessary.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

I really think this depends on the individual. I don't plan to work as an RN and I am comfortable with my abilities to do the job of an RN and with my second year of grad school anticipate feeling comfortable in the role of NP/CNS. I think its a matter of individuality.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I really think this depends on the individual. I don't plan to work as an RN and I am comfortable with my abilities to do the job of an RN and with my second year of grad school anticipate feeling comfortable in the role of NP/CNS. I think its a matter of individuality.

Yes, it does. As I said, this plan was for me.

I do think that a little time spent as an RN does better prepare you for the role of NP, however. JMHO.

Hello, Everyone

Pinyo....what are you doing? You need to explain the whole situation to everyone. In order to get the feedback that is appropriate for your situation.

Did you call the school and speak with them? Have you taken the appropriate steps to understand the roles of becoming a Np? Do you realize having a foundation is very important to build upon? Do you understand that you will have to work extremely hard to obtain the rn and np? Do you understand you cannot receive c's in the np program?

I believe a person can do whatever he or she set out to accomplish each day as goals. If Pinyo feels he can accomplish his goal without the experience as a RN...ok, my hats is off to him. There have been numerous of students did not practice as a nurse and made woderful NPs. I am not saying it will be easy for him....and there will be times he will have to dig a lot deeper than his peers to understand the work and clinicals. He should seek out a mentor and strong classmates to help him in strengthen his weakness and lack of clinical experiences. In addition, he may have to go onto a residency program to get more clinical experience....we will not know till he accomplish the goal of becoming a RN and becoming a student in a NP school. Therefore, I wish you luck and you know where to find me.

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