Finally, someone who speaks the truth. I have been a nurse since 1996 and I am also about to turn 30yrs. I have thought about NP soo many times but felt that I did not have enough experience to be held with such a duty. When I came out the nurses were serious about nursing. I learned from the old heads and I did not look down at the LPN's because some of them were the ones who taught me alot of the tricks of the tread. I really appreciate that now that I have matured in nursing. Also, when I first came out, you could not get into ICU, CCU or ER without 1 or 2 years of MedSurg experience. Boy how things have changed. Thanks so much for reminding us of the value and the standards we much uphold as nurses. We have had to fight hard to be were we are today( esp as a historically women profession).