Quick question -- MSN/NP programs

Most programs I know require at least one year of acute care experience. However some universities will accept some straight out of their BSN program if grades are good and the student is motivated. When I did my MSN/FNP there were a few students who had never worked as RN's. They did OK but found it much harder to keep up than those who had experience.

I would agree that you need to check with the specific programs you are interested in and find out exactly what their requirements are. I went through an acute NP program and although they do not require acute experience, I can tell you that one of the girls who I went through the program with actually took a job as a staff nurse to get some experience when she finished the NP program. I would STRONGLY recommend getting at least 1 year of experience and if possible, to continue working while in school (even if it's only through a "weekend program"). Not only will you keep your skills up but it will (hopefully) be a little less of a financial burden if you are able to have some income while you are working on your degree. Good luck to you and feel free to send a private message if you have any other questions :)

Laurie

Do check with the programs you're considering...

But don't be convinced that you won't make it without any expeirence. I never worked as a nurse prior to starting MSN school and did just fine.

-Dave

I'm starting an accelerated BSN/MSN program in May. My program doesn't require experience, unless you plan to become an acute care NP. Then they require at least a year of acute care experience.

Probably the most important factor is do you have the transfer credits and prerequisites to

be accepted to an NP/MSN program. Honestly, I had everything done because I lucked out- I transferred from cal state fullerton to cal state L B, which helped but they requried a growth and development course within 5 years of applying ( I'm in a PNP program) also, your health assessment class had to include a lab or clinical, which if I had done my BSN program online would not have counted. Now, that is only for the program I am enrolled, I do not know about other states or college requirements.

I was a nurse for 4 years before I started my MSN and only part time because I was finishing my bachelors and studying for my board certification for Oncology.

One NP I work with is excellent at her job, and the only nursing she did was home health, and in a pediatricians office, less than part time, and she is awesome at her job.

Hope this helps!

my FNP program required a minimum of 2 years nursing experience.

while i think some folks can & will do very well without nursing experience, i still think that, in general, it's a good idea to get at least a year of experience.

i worked in the ER as an RN for 10 years before going back to school, and i don't regret one minute of that time working. i learned tremendously from being in a setting that exposed me to so many different things and felt that it made school much easier for me than some of my peers who had little experience.

on the other hand, someone with LESS experience does have one advantage: less complicated role transition from nurse to provider. if you haven't worked as a nurse for years & years, in some ways it's easier to "get" the role of primary provider- you don't have so many entrenched ways of thinking & behaviors that need to be changed.

though you want to be done ASAP, try not to rush this decision. if one year of experience will give you more solid preparation to start your masters program, then do it. i personally think it's well worth the time invested. if you do go to work first, i would suggest trying to get a job in an area you are truly interested in and might even want to specialize in as an NP. then you won't feel as if you are 'wasting time.'

good luck!

I attend Vanderbilt and it is a Bridge Program. However, I think that it would be best to get some experience as a nurse first to find out what your interests are. You may think you like one aspect of nursing and find out you have another passion.