Nursing Experience FNP

Trauma Columnist · May 10, 2016

At least in my area, we hired two APRNs in the last year. We consider nursing experience but as they were new grad APRNs they started at a base salary which was more than they were making as RNs but they both started at the same salary - one had approx 4 years nursing exp and the other approx 6 years.

Hi2Jenn · May 12, 2016

I have 19 years experience, including management, as a RN. I found it much more difficult to break into the field than I thought I would. I'm in Tampa, so I know we are definitely saturated here. That being said, while you should research so you don't get taken advantage of, realize that your first job might not be your dream job. Let everyone know you are in school, particularly the physicians you work with.

SnowShoeRN · May 14, 2016

I was recently told, by a few others who I work with, that I was chosen from other candidates because I had prior nursing experience. My facility has had bad experiences with FNP's who didn't have any prior nursing experience so I think it matters in some instances, but certainly not all. However, I do echo what TraumaRUs says about the salary. Whether or not we have prior RN experience, as new grad APRN's we've all been started at the same salary.

Dumplins, MSN, RN, APN · May 17, 2016

My experience as an RN helped me land my interview for a Cardiology NP position. So I'd say it definitely helps. Especially as a new graduate, you need all the experience you could get.

GoodNP · May 18, 2016

It matters to some employers, but not all. Here's where I think it would help - you have RN experience working in peds and now you're applying to work at a pediatrics office; you worked in an ER now applying to urgent care; tele nurse applying to cardiology clinic. However, if you worked tele as an RN and now you're applying for a job in an orthopedic clinic...well you get the point. In fact, I have known an FNP student who had only peds experience, and was very strong with peds, but had a very steep learning curve with adults and really did not perform well in clinicals. Anecdotal, but nonetheless.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · May 21, 2016

I just graduated with my MSN/FNP a week ago. In my job search I have been told that I will get one year FNP experience pay for every two years I have as an RN. I have been with the same hospital system for almost 20 years, this rule is helping me as the base NP salary is less than my RN salary. I have also spent the last 11 years in a Level I ED and am told that this experience is sought after by employers. Good luck to you!

allnurses Guide · May 21, 2016

We don't place any significant emphasis on prior RN experience.

Palliative Care, DNP · May 24, 2016

I just graduated with my DNP. What I have been told in the job search is that RN experience doesn't count. A new graduate NP is just that a new graduate.

nursemel326 · May 25, 2016

I just graduated with my DNP. What I have been told in the job search is that RN experience doesn't count. A new graduate NP is just that a new graduate.

This was my experience as well. Having years of RN experience didn't carry much weight during interviews. I was asked mostly about skills learned in clinicals.