Should i become a nurse practioner or wait?

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Okay, so i have a question, should i get become a RN and go straight to work to get expierence, or should i just go straight from nursing school into getting my masters to becoming a NP?

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Depends, if you dont have a TON of loans, I would just go ahead and press forward for your masters now.

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i have 0 loans thanks to grants, and the local hospital gives tuition reimbursment, and luckily, i got grants all 2 years and didnt pay a dime.

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In that case I would press forward and tackle it head on while you are still in school mode

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Depends. Are you interested in bedside RN work are you more interested in being a healthcare provider? They're two very different roles.

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to me it doesnt really matter, but i think im going to work and purse it to get some expierence

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In my opinion, you NEED to practice independently as an RN for at least a few years before pursuing your NP. In years past there was no option for direct entry because it doesn't really work. Without the experience you gain as an RN, the NP program is not designed to compensate for that lack. Get into a good teaching hospital and get those years in...ICU and emerg are excellent...med-surg ok too. Best of luck!

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Meh, I dissagree. I know plenty of people who dont have bedside experience that are great NPs. You will have to study harder though but also keep in mind, they are getting ready to change the rules so you must have a doctorate to be an NP instead of a masters so I think its best to power through and get your masters before it switches.

I am getting a doctorate because I lust for the title anyway, but you dont want to be forced into that if you dont want it.

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do you know when those rules will be changed?

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I dont think anyone knows for sure yet

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I think it unlikely that the DNP as entry to practice is going to be universally legislated anytime in the next decade, at least. That said, I too disagree that bedside nursing lends much to NP practice and I see no practical reason for you to delay.

good luck.

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thank you. i was also wondering, can someone do bedside nursing with a masters? and do they get higher pay?

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