NP Worries

[ADNRN2016]

Hi all! ?

I am a current RN interested in FNP or AGNP school. I am open to working with all population groups but I don't have much background in peds- so I'm not sure if I'm cut out to be a FNP. I love kids but I'm afraid of incorrectly managing a peds patient.

I have been told that many NP schools teach more about theory rather than how to diagnose or practical NP skills- is this true?

Do you feel that your NP school prepared you adequately to be a NP?

Is it similar to RN nursing school where most of the curriculum is teaching you pathophysiology and how to answer NCLEX questions- rather than how to be a nurse (if there is even a way to teach that)?

I'm very interested but concerned that I will graduate NP school without much practical knowledge in diagnoses, medications, and general disease management. I know many nurses say that the curriculum is built on their current RN experience/exposure but I have only been a bedside RN for a year.

I suppose I am mostly afraid of misdiagnosis or litigation issues relevant to that.

I'm also based in NYC and is open to any comments about good FNP/AGNP programs in the tristate area. Currently looking at Downstate, Stonybrook, NYU- has anyone heard any reviews about those the NP programs in those schools?

I appreciate any and all advice anyone can offer! Thank you! ?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

On 10/22/2019 at 2:45 PM, FullGlass said:

What is your problem? You found a path that worked for you. Great. Do you have an issue with me acknowledging that?

Fact: the top NP schools do not require RN experience for primary care NPs. That is a fact. Why do you think that is the case? The people at those schools that make those policy decisions are know a lot more than you do.

There are people who know from the get-go that they want to be a primary care provider. I want to make sure they understand the FACTS, and not get scared off from their chosen path by anecdotes and opinions.

The topic of whether or not RN experience should be required for primary care NPs has been beaten to death here. The reason even the top NP schools do not require RN experience for primary care NPs is that the evidence indicates it does not produce higher quality outcomes. In fact, in one (blinded) study, NPs without RN experience were rated higher by MDs on PE skills. Perhaps there should be more studies, fine. But given that you obviously haven't familiarized yourself with any of these studies, you are not in a position to claim that they are flawed. It is intellectually lazy to dismiss studies just because they don't support your opinion.

Please feel free to contact the Deans of Hopkins, Yale, U Penn, UCLA, UCSF, and so on to complain that they should change their admissions policies because you think you needed RN experience before becoming an FNP, then get back to us with their responses.

You do realize that schools are a business and they are there to make money, right? So many schools are churning out poorly trained NPs for the money.

And you are very close to violating allnurses' policy on personal attacks. You can express your opinion without being rude, condescending and name-calling.

My opinion is that those "studies" you spout off about not needing to know and master the basics before jumping into the role of an advanced nurse are ludacris because I just pulled up an NCBI report that says opposite.

Now, have a nice day. I don't care to debate with someone who would rather behave nastily than act with maturity.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

1 hour ago, ThePrincessBride said:

You do realize that schools are a business and they are there to make money, right? So many schools are churning out poorly trained NPs for the money.

And you are very close to violating allnurses' policy on personal attacks. You can express your opinion without being rude, condescending and name-calling.

My opinion is that those "studies" you spout off about not needing to know and master the basics before jumping into the role of an advanced nurse are ludacris because I just pulled up an NCBI report that says opposite.

Now, have a nice day. I don't care to debate with someone who would rather behave nastily than act with maturity.

1. While schools must make enough money to be financially viable, they are not all businesses. The top schools are non-profits. Given that they have far more applicants than spaces, they hardly need to worry about drumming up "business." In addition, the top schools generally have large endowments and are very generous with financial aid, so going to one of those may actually be cheaper for many students than going to a public college or university.

2. Violating policy? Did I call you names? No. Was I rude? No - I simply disagreed with you, pointed out the flaws in your argument, and provided evidence to support my own argument. Condescending? I acknowledged you found a path that suited you and others can choose that path if they wish, but that path is not the only one and it is not required. I also pointed out that someone who is a grad student should understand the basics of research and evidence, hardly an unreasonable expectation.

3. Here's a quote from you: " . . . those "studies" you spout off about not needing to know and master the basics before jumping into the role of an advanced nurse are ludacris because I just pulled up an NCBI report that says opposite." Interesting that you did not deign to show us that report. It would have been easy to provide a link. Oh, and it is "ludicrous," not "ludacris." If there is such a report, then please share it with us.

4. You say that nursing schools are turning out poorly trained NPs - well, if you are an example of the type of logical and analytical thinking typical of your school's students, then I have to agree you are right about your own school.