NP w/no desire for RN?

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?

[tridil2000, MSN, RN]

I have been reading this thread for months, and it has begun to change my mind about my future. I am currently in a NP online program in mental health. I graduated in 1969 with a BSN, have two years experience as a school nurse teacher, 25 years as a classroom teacher, and 31 years as a mother of three. After reading this thread for all these months and another thread on volunteering, I am wondering if I am off base. Taking a mental health NP program online, which I am doing well at, may not be the way to go. I am now thinking of volunteering as a cuddler in an NICU dept. with the hope of getting a good orientation and a job as an RN there after a few years of cuddling as a volunteer. Cuddlers do all sorts of things. I love all kinds of nursing except one or two. Do you think that this is a better way for me to go? I already took a med surg refresher course and did well. I am just thinking that maybe I am doing this backwards and should get the experience and then the acadamic education instead of the academic education and then the experience. Any advice on my situation would be helpful. Krisssy

what about volunteering with the moms! this could give you a great insight into ppd. the experience combined with your msn in psych could really be beneficial!

[rn/writer, RN]

I also worked psych for years, including travel assignments from New York City to Colorado and everywhere in between. I worked every shift on every unit and by far the easiest job I have ever had was working psych at night. Every single person I have ever worked with during the night shift concurred. In fact, I worked the night shift during graduate school and was able to study or write papers at least 85% of the time while I was at work. The vast majority of the night shift workers were pursuing degrees and they specifically worked psych so they would have all that "down" time to study. Of course, working other shifts was very stressful and there was absolutely no time to study.

I worked nights, too, and you're right that down time is common. But where I worked there were scary times as well. Insomnia is a frequent complaint among psych patients. And some knew that we were staffed much lighter on third shift and picked then to act out or try to elope.

I'm not disagreeing that night shift on a non-medical unit can have some advantages. I just don't think it would give Krissy what she is looking for.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

After much staff discussion, this thread is now closed. Thank you for all the responses that were informational and served to educate the individual seeking NP.