Stories of people who have gone straight from BSN to NP?

[priorities2]

Anyone out there want to provide their story of having gone straight from RN-BSN to NP? I'd love to hear from people who have done this, and what their experience has been like. Thanks!

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Hey there, just wondering what it was that after 18 years pushed you over to the NP side of things?

Anything you can share is much appreciated!

Synergy in the universe. People just evolve and grow as they age. It was time for something different, and I had the time and the money. My partner completed a doctorate and was promoted to a new position with fewer hours and could therefore be home/available more; the (7) kids could all wipe their own butts; I inherited enough money to pay for it; I was bored and looking for new challenges/opportunities. That's it- nothing earth shattering or inspiring, sorry.

[algebra_demystified]

Some things will translate well, others will not. I think the stewardess comment is taking it a little too far, though. I've seen experienced nurses pull MDs out of the fire over and over... I doubt DE DNPs will fare much better than butterbar MDs. It's a different job and a different scope. I've never heard of a stewardess coaching a pilot.

I can tell you that without a doubt my PMH-NP program is MUCH easier than my nursing diploma was. I know a few PMH-NPs that do med management, and their job is entirely different than a psych nurse. One would not help the other in either direction. I wouldn't want to work the floor with any of the NPs who just do med management. In my personal opinion, nursing theory isn't all that valuable in treating psych patients. I've run across a few things that were good pointers, but experience has been much more valuable.

My preceptor has 15+ years on the floor as a psych nurse before she went NP, and her experience makes her extremely valuable when managing BPD females. I can't imagine a DE PMH-NP having a clue how to deal with that kind of a situation. It doesn't matter how many books you read about BPD, there is no substitute for time on the floor. I have 5 years on the floor now and will have 7 when I finish my program. Frankly I feel bad for the PMH-NPs who do not and never will have the experience of dealing with behaviors and psychosis face to face.

Sometimes I read behavior support plans written by psychiatrists and they are just so out of touch with what happens on the floor. Often the behavior support plans are insulting to staff and pollyanna about the patients. The patients seem to like them, though.

I work psych though, and things are very different in psych. For example, CNAs are very different from techs. Rarely have I seen an MD consult a CNA for a medical opinion, but often the psychiatrists consult the techs. Many techs have a BS or an MA in another field, or they've worked as a counselor for years before getting into tech work. I have worked with techs who have an MBA or a PhD, and who are keen students of human behavior. Some psych nurses have similar backgrounds.

[NPAlby]

Some things will translate well, others will not. I think the stewardess comment is taking it a little too far, though. I've seen experienced nurses pull MDs out of the fire over and over... I doubt DE DNPs will fare much better than butterbar MDs. It's a different job and a different scope. I've never heard of a stewardess coaching a pilot.

I can tell you that without a doubt my PMH-NP program is MUCH easier than my nursing diploma was. I know a few PMH-NPs that do med management, and their job is entirely different than a psych nurse. One would not help the other in either direction. I wouldn't want to work the floor with any of the NPs who just do med management. In my personal opinion, nursing theory isn't all that valuable in treating psych patients. I've run across a few things that were good pointers, but experience has been much more valuable.

My preceptor has 15+ years on the floor as a psych nurse before she went NP, and her experience makes her extremely valuable when managing BPD females. I can't imagine a DE PMH-NP having a clue how to deal with that kind of a situation. It doesn't matter how many books you read about BPD, there is no substitute for time on the floor. I have 5 years on the floor now and will have 7 when I finish my program. Frankly I feel bad for the PMH-NPs who do not and never will have the experience of dealing with behaviors and psychosis face to face.

Sometimes I read behavior support plans written by psychiatrists and they are just so out of touch with what happens on the floor. Often the behavior support plans are insulting to staff and pollyanna about the patients. The patients seem to like them, though.

I work psych though, and things are very different in psych. For example, CNAs are very different from techs. Rarely have I seen an MD consult a CNA for a medical opinion, but often the psychiatrists consult the techs. Many techs have a BS or an MA in another field, or they've worked as a counselor for years before getting into tech work. I have worked with techs who have an MBA or a PhD, and who are keen students of human behavior. Some psych nurses have similar backgrounds.

I'm a PsychNP and completely agree with what you are talking about. I also realize that this may not be the case with non-psych NP's. Part of being a PsychNP is med mgt but the bigger part is gathering accurate, truthful information. There's no blood work or xray we can take when a pt is trying to score some adderall, valium etc from you. Nor is there a scan or other test we can do when someone is BIB family for psychotic behavior but they (the pt) are desperately trying to hold on to their sanity and are denying all.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

. I've seen experienced nurses pull MDs out of the fire over and over... I doubt DE DNPs will fare much better than butterbar MDs.

I will be honest with you, when you finish your school and step out into the real world as a novice APRN, you will find yourself standing in the fire, regardless of the amount of experience you have. Nurses will (hopefully) pull you out of the fire just like they pull the MDs out. All of your life experiences will help you on your transition into the APRN role, but even the most experienced providers make mistakes and end up in the fire.

As far as your NP program being much easier than your diploma program: you are either very bright and you are not being challenged or your program is not preparing you appropriately. I hope as you progress you will find it both more rewarding and more challenging.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm a Direct Entry grad and have been working as a FNP for 4 years. I've never worked as a RN. To be honest, I very rarely use any of the skills I learned for the RN portion of my program. Is RN experience valuable? Absolutely! Is it necessary? Probably not. I think it's the individual's aptitude and willingness to learn that determines success, not previous RN experience.