Question for NPs: How long did you practice as an RN before persuing NP?

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Sep 23, 2008

I'm not an NP yet, still have this year left to go - but I decided to go back to school after working as an RN for about eight years.

Some programs do require at least a year of RN experience before applying, and some do not.

I feel that it is truly a personal decision - some people feel ready soon after becoming an RN and others like to have some experience under their belts before going the NP route.

I truly believe that being an ED nurse for several years has only helped me in regards to doing well in school and in my clinical rotations. Plus, it has provided me with exposure to a wide variety of ages, as well as to various acute and chronic illnesses.

Then there are those people who will argue that RN experience doesn't make any difference or help you at all, because the NP role is entirely different. I believe that any amount of experience will only help and not hurt you.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Sep 23, 2008

I started my acute care NP program with one year of experience working as an RN in med/surg/tele. For me, it was fine. I did well in my program and felt I understood everything. Everyone is different, so I believe you are the best person to answer your question regarding how much RN experience is enough. Good luck!

VivaRN · Sep 23, 2008

I had almost 2 yrs, mostly in Burn ICU and HIV. It's not a lot compared to some people, but it was fine for me. I did well in school and had no trouble finding a job. As others have said, everyone is different. Evaluate your goals and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

allnurses Guide · Sep 24, 2008

I have worked as an RN in a variety of roles, mostly CTICU, for 12 years. Just started my MSN in ACNP.

HolisticNP · Sep 25, 2008

I was an RN for about 21 years. I was barely 21 when I first became an RN, and slowly worked my way through school. I was able to get all kinds of different experience which actually helped me to make the decision about going on for NP. The time was important to me, but like others have said, it is very individual. I've known some with very little RN experience before becoming NP who are great and feel quite comfortable in their role. I suppose the only one who will know that you are ready (both professionally and personally) will be you. Congrats on taking the last lap toward your BSN. I remember how great it felt to be out of school, and it took me a little bit of time to jump back on the treadmill.

mom and nurse · Sep 25, 2008

I worked a year as an RN in an acute rehab hospital ...then began graduate school to be an NP part time... one or two classes at a time. By the time I graduated with my graduate degree I had been an RN for three and a half years....full time to part time to PRN as an RN while in school..PRN when I had to do graduate school clinicals. I'd recommend at least a year or more as an RN. It helped with my understanding of medications, etc. It helps now that I am an NP, though I am considered medical staff at the hospital... I feel I as a NURSE practitioner relate more with the nursing staff and understand what they are going through because I have been there at the bedside before I was an NP...:)...I'm an Adult NP who remained in the field I worked in as an RN..Rehab (not an Acute Care NP... like the folks at a nearby hospital filled with critical care nurses)....and the patients we see in acute rehab hospitals (brain injury, etc) are usually a step above the nursing home folks. Many are newly handicapped and younger....

DaisyRN, ACNP · Sep 25, 2008

i graduated from my rn program in may 2003, worked prn/ft in the er setting while i went back for my rn-bsn which i received may 2006 and started my msn, acute care np program that same month and finished december 2007. so total rn time was 4.5 years.

if you are planning on doing an acute care program, i would like to recommend er and icu settings. i wish i had done icu as an rn... it would have certainly helped me in the np program, but i did fine without it and sought out an icu np rotation in my clinical time. just choose your rn time wisely... i'm glad i had the diversity of the er to back me up.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 25, 2008

I was an LPN for 2 years, then did the ADN bridge program and worked for 8 years as an RN before going back for the BSN, MSN, post-MSN certificate. All together I had 12 years exp as an RN and 2 years as an LPN before I became an APN. Most of my exp (10 years) was in a level one trauma center which helped with quick assessment skills and how to handle emergencies. I did need more in-depth assessment skills and more medical management of the geriatric pt. That's why I deliberately scheduled myself for additional geriatric clinical time.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Sep 26, 2008

i had always planned on being an APN - so, I ended up working for a little over a year before I started the MSN program. I went from RN to BSN (that took up the year) and I applied that summer for the MSN and was accepted. So, I basically went straight through put worked the entire time... by the time I got out I had over 4 years peds experience. I worked while I was in grad school.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Sep 27, 2008

3 years as a NICU/PICU RN, still working FT while in grad school

daydreamer7130 · Oct 1, 2008

I graduated with my diploma in 1996 then worked in the emergency department and completed my BSN at the same time that was 1997. I started NP school in 2004. My reasoning was that my personal situation at home did not allow me to start school. It had nothing to do with professional reasons or having to get experience.