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?

I don't necessarily agree with Ruby that bedside experience is highly beneficial to NP practice (although I had 20 years, lol). I do agree absolutely that her comments are not the least bit rude or inappropriate.

If you want to be a NP, you are going to have to grow a much thicker skin; you will face much more aggressive dissension than you read here.

Yep, this forum isn't even considered training for that. But, all my experience was...sorry, couldn't help myself, lol!

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

Lol. I suppose that is true in my case as well. All experience is valuable, I just don't share the opinion that it is necessary.

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WELP, all I can say is that I was extremely tired last night. I still think that it maybe had a slight ring of arrogance to it but maybe I'm just sensitive about that because I will be seeking my DNP with less than 6 years experiences

;o)

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
WELP, all I can say is that I was extremely tired last night. I still think that it maybe had a slight ring of arrogance to it but maybe I'm just sensitive about that because I will be seeking my DNP with less than 6 years experiences

;o)

6 years experience is plenty! I have 6 years and will graduate from the DNP program in one year Lol. I can't imagine not having at least a year under my belt, and I think it should be a requirement. But maybe I was stupid coming out of nursing school? I felt like I knew NOTHING!!

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Lol. I suppose that is true in my case as well. All experience is valuable, I just don't share the opinion that it is necessary.

No it's not necessary but let's take an extreme example. Many a new officer in combat has made the wrong decisions, one being not to listen to the grizzled old sarge who has been in combat before.

Now get over here so I can slap you with a wet noodle, lol!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

The whole thing is so general. Are we comparing a new grad NP with zero bedside experience to a new grad NP with 30 years bedside?

Or a new grad NP with one year bedside to a NP of 10 years with zero bedside experience?

Or any number of combinations?

It bears remembering that people observations are always affected by their beliefs. People tend to see what they think they already know. That's not to discount anyone's opinions...theres just no point worrying your head over them.

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I dont know how someone could actually graduate as a DNP with ZERO experience, because what are they doing while they are in school....? Am I to believe they never worked that whole time they were getting their masters and doctorate?

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
I dont know how someone could actually graduate as a DNP with ZERO experience, because what are they doing while they are in school....? Am I to believe they never worked that whole time they were getting their masters and doctorate?

I know of one student from Canada with a school visa, who graduated with her BSN, and immediately started into the MSN program. She finished that and went straight into the DNP program. I know that she has NOT worked at all...she is getting almost 2000 hours in clinical between her MSN and her DNP, but other than that, I don't think she has worked as an RN, or an NP whatsoever.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i dont know how someone could actually graduate as a dnp with zero experience, because what are they doing while they are in school....? am i to believe they never worked that whole time they were getting their masters and doctorate?

​i know one person that worked as a unit secretary the whole way through school.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
I dont know how someone could actually graduate as a DNP with ZERO experience, because what are they doing while they are in school....? Am I to believe they never worked that whole time they were getting their masters and doctorate?

Regardless, at some point, all things level out. It's like teaching your 18 months old read. Near party trick, but by third grade odds are no one will be able to tell.

If I physician was an NP for 3 years before attending medical school, I'm sure he'd have an edge. But for how long? Not forever, I'm sure. Especially because of the differing scopes of practice. And I think the same can be said for NPs and RNs. So maybe there's a steeper learning curve without bedside experience...those who want to absorb and excel, will.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

I think experience helps for sure, but the role of a bedside nurse, and an NP are totally different.

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Specializes in critical care, trauma, neurosurgery..

Just personally, I believe that the area in which you gain bedside experience makes a difference. I can see where ltc and even med surg experience doesn't phase your ability to do well in NP school; however, I feel that ICU experience would be great to have before entering NP school. Just like for CRNA school, icu experience is required. Though the CRNA and RN roles are very different, the icu experience is still mandatory. Do I think icu experience should be mandatory for NP school? No. Do I think it would be beneficial? Yes. The nurses I have had the pleasure of working with who have 3+ years of ICU experience not only have great time mgmt skills, they have a great understanding of disease processes, they understand the correlation of lab values with symptoms and issues, and they generally have a better idea of seeing the "whole picture," with their patients. I am not throwing off on med surg or ltc nurses at all, I am just saying that icu nurses experience a different type of nursing.

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