RN to FNP, time for experience...

Trauma Columnist · Jul 22, 2010

Well, first congrats on your upcoming graduation.

Second, going to grad school, then working as an FNP is going to leave you at a distinct disadvantage when you want to work as an FNP later on: you won't be a new grad, but you won't be experienced either.

If you want to work as an RN, I would do that first, THEN pursue the FNP.

lweatherby · Jul 22, 2010

I can only speak from my experience as a new grad BSN. I too thought that I wanted to go straight through to a FNP program. I applied to the FNP program through the school were I received my BSN and was accepted. However, I found that the stress and learning curve for a new BSN grad is tremendous. I didn't feel like I could concentrate on studies while working so hard to learn to be a new nurse. So, I declined my acceptance and opted to wait a couple of semesters. I have now been on the job as a new RN for 7 months and am finally getting somewhat comfortable...... but glad I still have time before I enroll in a masters program. For me, it has been tough as a new grad RN. Lots to learn and tons of stress! This is just my experience!

TRR8021 · Jul 22, 2010

I want to do the same thing as the OP, but I will work for a year if I'm able to find job. If I can't find a new grad position, I plan to enroll in graduate school. My professor was telling my leadership class that it can take at least a year or more for a BSN graduate to feel comfortable as a new nurse. That's something to consider also, just as lweatherby mentioned. I would probably work full time and go to school part time for the first year just to get adjusted to being a nurse.

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2010

Thank you all. I think it would probably be best for me to find a full-time position (especially since very few are hiring part-timers) when I graduate. Then, as I am gaining experience as a new-grad, I can go to school part time, as the last poster, TRR8021, stated. Once I've gained about a year of experience, then I can pick up my school and attend full time to get done a bit quicker. The only issue is that if I attend only part-time, it may affect the whole student loan issue (not quite sure how that works with a Graduate program).

I also would like to work in women's health, such as Postpartum. Since the economy has gone downhill lately, I've heard that hiring new grads, especially where I'm at, in Arizona, has become almost non-existent. What do we new-grad's need to do?

Where do I go and take my FNP exam once I graduate the FNP program?

Also, once I attain my FNP license, how do I attain my women's health specialty certification? Any websites I can be referred to?

Thank you for answering my tons of questions!

Trauma Columnist · Jul 23, 2010

FNP and WHNP are TWO DIFFERENT programs - so if you want to do WHNP, that's the program you want to go to. Whereas, if you want to do FNP, then you attend an FNP program.

AbeFrohman, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2010

I thought units loved part time workers, at least old one did. Nothing better than people working who you don't have to give benefits was the general idea.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jul 24, 2010

Just to answer some of your questions, you can obtain financial aid as a "half-time" student. I believe you have to be enrolled and have 5 or more credits per semester to receive aid, though. I attended grad school part-time and did receive financial aid. As long as you take two courses per semester, you should meet that "half-time" qualification, since most courses are 3-credits.

As far as doing women's health - you can do this as a FNP. My women's health preceptor was a FNP by education but worked with an OB/GYN. She also picked up two shifts per month as a FNP so she could renew her FNP certification when the time came. If you desire more options/flexibility/marketability after your NP program, I would go the FNP route.

Just on a personal note, I am a HUGE believer in gaining a few years of RN experience before considering NP school. Reason being, you might find you enjoy a totally different area of nursing then what you thought you might like initially; it makes it easier for you as a new grad NP to market yourself if you have a few years of RN experience; it provides you with a strong assessment background that can only be obtained on the job. Anyone can learn the "typical" signs and symptoms of various diagnoses from a textbook - it takes a strong clinician with excellent assessment skills and a broad knowledge base to pick up on the sometimes subtle and atypical presenting signs and symptoms of a critical diagnosis that should not be missed.

ErnestineB2009 · Jul 28, 2010

Well...I am currently in the situation. I have been a nurse for almost year in an acute setting, but I went back to school last year. In my experience, it has made no difference in many aspects. It may in clinical practice when I graduate, but right now I am doing just as well if not better than many people with 20+ years experience.I plan to continue to work as a RN even past passing the FNP boards to gain more knowledge, but I expect the same learning curve transitioning into the new role regardless.

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

Just to answer some of your questions, you can obtain financial aid as a "half-time" student. I believe you have to be enrolled and have 5 or more credits per semester to receive aid, though. I attended grad school part-time and did receive financial aid. As long as you take two courses per semester, you should meet that "half-time" qualification, since most courses are 3-credits.
As far as doing women's health - you can do this as a FNP. My women's health preceptor was a FNP by education but worked with an OB/GYN. She also picked up two shifts per month as a FNP so she could renew her FNP certification when the time came. If you desire more options/flexibility/marketability after your NP program, I would go the FNP route.
Just on a personal note, I am a HUGE believer in gaining a few years of RN experience before considering NP school. Reason being, you might find you enjoy a totally different area of nursing then what you thought you might like initially; it makes it easier for you as a new grad NP to market yourself if you have a few years of RN experience; it provides you with a strong assessment background that can only be obtained on the job. Anyone can learn the "typical" signs and symptoms of various diagnoses from a textbook - it takes a strong clinician with excellent assessment skills and a broad knowledge base to pick up on the sometimes subtle and atypical presenting signs and symptoms of a critical diagnosis that should not be missed.

Thank you VERY much for answering all my questions. I really wanted to do the FNP route vs. the WHNP route, because I don't want to limit my options. I figured I would be able to go into Women's Health as a FNP. Thank you so much. I also agree with you with getting the RN experience. The only thing is that I'm not going to be young forever and i'm in that "motivated" mind-set now and I want to utilize that and get my FNP license. So, my next question (I think I asked in my OP), even once I get my FNP license, can't I still work as an RN to get my experience? I think I'll end up working full time as an RN and attending school part-time like you suggested. As long as I get the student loans and such. I would prefer to work part-time and do school either part-time or full-time.

I do strongly agree with you that the true knowledge comes from the on-the-job training rather than just the books. I realize that physically working will gain me more knowledge, thus making FNP learning (in-school) a bit more easier on me.

Thanks again for the wonderful advice!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

FNP and WHNP are TWO DIFFERENT programs - so if you want to do WHNP, that's the program you want to go to. Whereas, if you want to do FNP, then you attend an FNP program.

I don't want to limit my options once I'm an NP. What if I want to go into Pediatrics? Or Hospice? At least, with FNP, I can do that. With WHNP, I can only do Women's Health. Thank you.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jul 28, 2010

Hi Mystique,

You're very welcome! If you truly have your heart set on women's health but want to become a FNP - then I suggest arranging some of your elective clinicals to be in a women's health setting if your school allows. My school had us pick a specialty over our last summer semester to arrange for clinical, which was nice because we were allowed to focus on what we didn't feel comfortable with or an area in which we felt we would like to practice after school. Since women's health/OB is part of a typical FNP curriculum - you will get some exposure to it (as well as in the family practice settings); however, having that extra semester or two in another OB/GYN rotation should help to make you feel more comfortable and would be a great way to promote yourself on your resume once you graduate.

As far as working as a RN after NP school - you are able to do so. It does become sticky, though, if you are pulled into a lawsuit because they will take your educational background into consideration and possibly hold you to that standard of care (NP), even if you are practicing in the RN role.