Quitting New Grad Residency for NP program

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I am a new grad nurse that recently graduated in May 2021. I am planning on applying to NP programs this upcoming January to possibly start the following June or August. I was recently offered to be part of the new grad residency program at one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country but the residency program would last a year starting August 2021 to August 2022. This may collide with the start date of the NP Program that I get into and I am worried if I will have to quit the residency program early and if that would give me a bad look. Going to NP school next year is my main goal but I also really enjoy working in pediatrics. Should I try finding another job or sticking with it if it’s a hospital I really like? Please help me in deciding what to do

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

This is a question only you can answer. If it was me, I would get into an NP Program. Though, I would also investigate HEAVILY if you can do both. For example, inquire about if you take the residency program can you do the NP Program a year later. NP programs require clinical rotations and if you're already at a hospital, it makes things really easy. Talk to your hospital, anyone that will work with you. Some people will talk you down from doing one or the other, but doing both can be possible. 

I did travel nursing and my master's at the same time. It's very doable as long as you talk to the hospital and your program about working out the scheduling details. 

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women’s Health.

If you want to do pediatrics, I would put the residency program as your priority right now. Depending on the NP job market where you live, you are not likely to find a good job with virtually no nursing experience. I understand the temptation to rush through, but I think it would be most beneficial for you to take full advantage of this residency program and gain some hands-on experience even if it means delaying your grad school plans by a year or so.

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On 6/30/2021 at 12:24 PM, The Blatant Nurse Shannon said:

This is a question only you can answer. If it was me, I would get into an NP Program. Though, I would also investigate HEAVILY if you can do both. For example, inquire about if you take the residency program can you do the NP Program a year later. NP programs require clinical rotations and if you're already at a hospital, it makes things really easy. Talk to your hospital, anyone that will work with you. Some people will talk you down from doing one or the other, but doing both can be possible. 

I did travel nursing and my master's at the same time. It's very doable as long as you talk to the hospital and your program about working out the scheduling details. 

Yes thank you! I will definitely look into this and see if I can do both. Depending on if I stay in the same state for my NP, I would just continue on per diem possibly 

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6 hours ago, NPOaftermidnight said:

If you want to do pediatrics, I would put the residency program as your priority right now. Depending on the NP job market where you live, you are not likely to find a good job with virtually no nursing experience. I understand the temptation to rush through, but I think it would be most beneficial for you to take full advantage of this residency program and gain some hands-on experience even if it means delaying your grad school plans by a year or so.

I do like pediatrics but for me it’s not my end goal and I would want to work eventually in academia. So I would rather not delay going to NP school when bedside nursing really is not what I want to do in the long run. Also since the new grad program is only a year, I would only be missing the last two and a 1/2 months of it to start the NP Program so I would gain some nursing experience and also work per diem closer to school throughout the 3-4 yr long NP school before I get out.

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Make sure the residency program you mentioned is actually only one year if you plan on doing both or trying to squeeze it in before NP school. Many residency programs in my area are one year as well. However, after completing that year you are contracted with the hospital and are required to work an additional 1-3 years full-time in that specialty. Perhaps reach out to the HR department for further info.

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Specializes in oncology.
2 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

I would want to work eventually in academia.

Teaching in a ADN/BSN school of nursing or for NPs? If you don't gain experience to teach entry level nursing....well.  what are you going to use for examples for entry level students to help them understand the concept?

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More so in nursing administration and possibly teaching in an ADN. I would gain experience through working per diem/ part time while in DNP school which is 3-4 years,  also from my 1 year residency program, and working a little after I graduate. I think that is a good amount of experience to have.

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Specializes in oncology.
2 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

possibly teaching in an ADN.

You will need a substantial grounding in your subject to provide strategies and examples to a novice.

 

2 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

from my 1 year residency program, and working a little after I graduate.

I read all the time in here that RN experience is not necessary for an NP.

2 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

More so in nursing administration and possibly teaching in an ADN.

Why not start an education for those areas if that is your end goal?

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Specializes in oncology.
4 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

So I would rather not delay going to NP school when bedside nursing really is not what I want to do in the long run

 

4 hours ago, Nurseanya said:

I would want to work eventually in academia.

So.oooo What is it you want to teach?

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