RN experience required?

[ICRN2008]

I was wondering if I could get some feedback from nurse practitioners about grad school. I am currently in a second degree accelerated BSN program, and will graduate in December '06. I also have almost four years of health care experience (as a med tech) under my belt. I would like to start with NP classes in spring of '07, but I don't know how most schools view candidates who don't have a year of experience as an RN.

The reason I ask is because there are now a lot of direct-entry master's programs springing up across the country. These students obviously won't have any experience as an RN before they start grad school. Will I be viewed differently when I apply because I am going through a second-degree BSN program?

Thanks for your input.

[HillNPStudent]

The experience of which I speak is before entering the NP program. Normally we all gain med-surg experience. If the individual desires FNP, I always encourage them to gain experience in the speciality areas. And, yes, critical care/cardiac experience is essential as an FNP. FNP is a specialty requiring knowledge in every aspect of medicine/nursing.

Again, this is what I suggest and is not the same for everyone.

You do not need added stressors now.[/quote

I am thinking I don't need added stressors now too; yet at the same time think I could make the transition to CCU without too much difficulty. I feel that I do have a strong cardiac background; have worked on open heart/telemetry units at two different facilities, one being the largest in our state doing procedures other hospitals transfer pts to. I learned so much there. Cardiac has always been my strong point.

Another part of me thinks maybe I should wait till summer (no classes) and try to work on a peds unit; or at least with a younger population. That way I'd have cardiac AND peds experience.