did they rescind the 2 year work requirement?

[elizabells]

Hey pals!

They told us today at school that the national requirement for 2yrs experience before beginning NNP studies has been rescinded. I can't find any info on this via google. Anyone know if it's true? I have very mixed feelings. I think it was a good requirement, but the temptation to get through my direct-entry program in less than five years is strong. Don't misunderstand - even if I go straight through, I plan to work as a staff nurse for as long as it takes to be comfortable - be that 2 years, or five, or ten. I was just wondering about the facts of the law. My school says they're deciding whether or not to continue the requirement themselves anyway.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Geez, I can't believe it if this is true! I am of the school of thought that even two years NICU experience is not enough of a requirement. The absolute BEST education for a future NNP does not lie in grad school - it lies in working full-time in a NICU, preferably day shift when all the different services are there, for at least a few years. There is so much to learn, even as an RN, that it's only after two years that you're just starting to "get" it. And after five years, you're wondering how in the world you thought you "got" it after two years because you've learned so much more since then! And I've never seen anyone become really good at IVs and arterial sticks in only two years - they can do them, yeah, but they're definitely not a "resource" person for those skills and that's what we expect of our NNPs. Placing PCVC/PICC lines and arterial lines are even more challenging, so really those skills have to be good to begin with.

I'm sorry for the mini-vent. But I'm getting so tired of hearing people talk about this two-year requirement like it's just a chore that needs to be completed before the "real" education begins in the NNP program. I've personally never seen a nurse with only two years of NICU experience be remotely ready for the responsibility related to being an NNP. I do know that most NNP-bound students agree with that two years, but at the same time, most don't think that they need MORE than that.

Just my personal opinion, and I don't mean to attack anyone personally. I just really needed to get this off my chest.

I feel you, gompers. They're just so...tiny!

And yes, Peanut, we do get a BSN, but supposedly they're thinking about doing away with that too, bc they have such a high attrition rate after the first year - i.e., folks doing what I'm probably going to do and quit after the licensure phase to work. However, we sit the boards in June or July, and they don't actually grant the BSN until October. Guess what? They don't know if we'll be able to work before we get the actual degree! So I get to live in the most expensive city in the nation with 60K in student loans to pay back, and possibly not have a job. Swell...