Rn then nurse practitioning ? Or straight to nurse practitioning ?

xxdiscoxxheaven · May 31, 2015

As far as I know, there aren't many quality NP programs that will take a nurse with no actual nursing experience. For the sake of your future practice, it might be helpful to get at least 2 years of clinical experience working as an RN before trying to become a NP. It will make you better rounded and enable you to get into better, more respected programs.

txstudent6, BSN, RN · May 31, 2015

I'm not sure where you live but in my area, schools require you have 1-2 year experience in that field. For example, if you wanted to be an acute care nurse practitioner, you will need experience as a critical care nurse. Since you have to pick a speciality as a nurse practitioner before going through the schooling, I would advise to get experience first! You'll want to experience whatever field you "think" you'll like to make sure you truly do like that field. If you become a NP and realize you don't like your speciality, you will have to go back to school to change it. Good luck!

mmusa7111 · May 31, 2015

I am in NYC. Additionally, I didn't know there were more options as an NP. Being a sophomore I feel like I need to do more research and will continue too. Thanks a lot

mmusa7111 · May 31, 2015

Yes I was thinking the same thing that it'll be much more preferred to get experience just wanted some clarity.

Jules A, MSN · May 31, 2015

Unfortunately there are direct entry NP programs that don't require any actual nursing experience. In my opinion the experiences I gained as a floor nurse were invaluable to recognize different presentations for diagnosing, see different medication reactions both good and bad, recognize general medication ranges. None of that came quickly it evolved over time to become second nature and again speaking only for myself I feel invaluable. In my experience as a working NP the NPs I encounter in practice with a background in their specialty are better prepared.

Dranger · May 31, 2015

I am in NYC. Additionally, I didn't know there were more options as an NP. Being a sophomore I feel like I need to do more research and will continue too. Thanks a lot

I am sorry, but for someone who has a goal of being a NP I find it mind-boggling you haven't researched the different specialties. The varying NP tracks are at the core of NP education and their place in the health-care world. This begs the question, do you even know what NPs do?

Keep researching then come back. There is a good chance you might not want to be an NP after school is done.

MurseJJ · May 31, 2015

Hello all , right now in my life I am a sophomore taking the rest of my pre-requisites at Lehman college. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner. I wanted to know which is much more preferred in the road to becoming a nurse practitioner. Should I obtain my bsn in nursing to get about a year experience then go back to school for a nurse practioner or should I just go straight to nurse practitioning. I asked a nurse practitioner and she preferred me to obtain my bsn in nursing to get experience then go back to school. I just wanted more opinions on this topic please as a sophomore in college.

I live in the NYC area. As I'm sure you know, CUNY Lehman has a BSN program, a Family Nurse Practitioner masters program, and a post-masters Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certificate program. I think the best thing you should do is see if there is an advisor in the nursing school that you can talk to (perhaps there's a pre-nursing advisor).

My opinion is that since you're at a school with an undergraduate nursing program, try to get into Lehman's BSN program (apply to other programs too since the CUNY nursing programs are competitive to get into, due to the low tuition). After that, you take the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN. You can then work as an RN then apply to nurse practitioner programs.

Depending on the NP program you go into (as mentioned there are Family, Adult Acute Care, Pediatric Acute Care, Adult Primary Care, Pediatric Primary Care, and Neonatal NP programs), you may need RN experience to apply. Also, I've noticed that if you are considering working in the hospital/inpatient setting as an NP, many NYC hospitals ask NP applicants to have 2+ years of RN or NP experience, so that's a consideration (as a new grad NP you don't have any NP experience, so they'd look at your RN experience).

Hope that helps.

txstudent6, BSN, RN · May 31, 2015

Another note, as I said you have to pick your specialty for NP. Another career option would be a Physician Assistant, you wouldn't have to pick a specialty & if you got into a field that you ended up not liking, you can switch without going to school. They have similar roles like being able to see patients on their own, write prescriptions. I would look at the nursing schools in your area and look at their MSN requirements & what they offer to get an idea of what you need to do

ixchel · May 31, 2015

I am sorry, but for someone who has a goal of being a NP I find it mind-boggling you haven't researched the different specialties. The varying NP tracks are at the core of NP education and their place in the health-care world. This begs the question, do you even know what NPs do?
Keep researching then come back. There is a good chance you might not want to be an NP after school is done.

Everyone starts their research somewhere. Take it easy on the newbie. I anticipate asking some dumb questions when I get closer to starting my NP program. It's life.

OP, my end goal is NP. I finished my BSN last year and landed a dream spot on a critical care unit. When you graduate nursing school, you have no idea how much you really don't know. My alma mater has a direct entry DNP program that I'll likely do. They offer direct entry, but recommend working. They structure your classes so work is an option while you are in school.

It was around FAFSA time a few months ago that I decided I still need time before applying. My unit is not specialized, so we get patients with disorders of all body systems. I can see I still need more time to learn. Every week I learn something new. I love that about my job. I'm naturally a sponge with a thirst for knowledge. So I'm taking a second year off from school. I would recommend hands down that anyone considering direct entry WAIT. You need that time to realize all that stuff you don't know.

This will sound awful probably, but you also need that "OMG I really don't know anything" feeling to humble you a little. You need to feel that fear of a patient going south on you. You need to experience how complicated family dynamics get. As a student, you do get exposed to these things, but you aren't yet responsible for these patients. Having YOUR patient with afib suddenly jump to the 190s sustained, complaining of nausea with terror on her face and diaphoretic and no cardizem/amiodorone prn to give her and an MD you have to page rather than call.... That will humble you a bit. You need those experiences.

Get floor experience. It will make you a better NP.

xxdiscoxxheaven · May 31, 2015

Not to deter you in any way, but if you are not already in a BSN program (or even if you are already) focus on doing as well as you can in undergrad. It is nice to have goals but without the grades, the path becomes even more difficult. You might even find that after BSN, you are pretty burned out with school all together and need some time to decompress and focus on learning how to nurse. I recently graduated with my BSN (May) and always thought I would go straight to grad school because my family pushed it. However, now I just want to work, make money, and have some fun! If you are a traditional aged college student (22 at graduation like myself) you still have MANY years to make the NP thing happen. You will be a wonderful one with some solid experience in the specialty you choose. Good luck :)

thefmgirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 4, 2015

Like everyone else, I think waiting to apply is the best idea. Not only does the experience you gain give you valuable insight into understanding all the conditions/meds about which you learn...but your idea of which NP you want to be might change drastically after landing a job. In addition, if you want a specialty track (such as critical care NP or neonatal), they WILL require experience. If you choose direct entry, you are limiting your program options. Good luck with nursing school and finding the area in which you want to practice!