Straight to FNP

allnurses Guide · Jun 13, 2017

Yes, you will need to move up the education ladder just like any other advanced degree. You will need to get your RN first. If you start with an ADN, you will need your BSN and then your MSN and possibly DNP and you will need to be licensed as an RN (and maintain that license actively) after your first degree is earned. Many to most schools require you to have at least two years of experience as an acute care RN prior to acceptance into NP school, though there are some out there that do not. There is a lot of debate about the subject, as it is hard to imagine a nurse practitioner without ANY nursing experience being someone people would want their family members to rely on for care. Most FNP positions also will want to know you have had experience in the population you are going to be serving. If you do not like FNP and want to do a different kind of NP, the requirements for experience will be even more stringent.

I am opposed to someone being able to become an APRN without actual RN experience. Many to most nurses and nursing schools feel the same. This is not a "fast track" type of career. There are a lot of risks, both to the patients and to the individual practitioner.

I can't address how many hours most NPs work really. I believe they are like anything else and have full time, part time and prn positions, some of which require being on-call, some of which are 12 hour shifts, some of which are 8 hour shifts, etc. It just depends on the job and the desires of the NP.

Cvepo · Jun 13, 2017

I am vehemently opposed to RNs with no experience becoming FNPs, but that's beside the point. The most ideal start would be to go for a BSN program. Cut out the ADN->BSN part as usually you will be doing school on top of working (often full time nights). But yes, you need your degree and RN to be considered for FNP, but remember, the bare minimum will only get you so far, especially in competitive regions.

As for the hours, it depends where you work. You can do the M-F 9-5 or 3 12s in acute care, weekend, and holiday coverage etc. There are many factors, but the nice thing is that you will have options.

Scottishtape · Jun 13, 2017

I'm assuming you haven't done much research into what an ARNP is.

I say this because you ask if you have to become an RN first, or if you can just become and NP.

An nurse practitioner IS an RN.

"Advanced registered nurse practitioner".

So, yes. You have to become an RN.

I agree with the previous poster, becoming an NP without any actual nursing experience is a really bad idea, and puts patients at risk. I get that you don't want to put in the time and effort, but in my opinion, it shows that patient care isn't a priority for you, and that's pretty scary.

Purple_roses · Jun 13, 2017

Brace yourself...lots and lots and LOTS of responses are coming.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 14, 2017

I'm assuming you haven't done much research into what an ARNP is.
I say this because you ask if you have to become an RN first, or if you can just become and NP.
An nurse practitioner IS an RN.
"Advanced registered nurse practitioner".
So, yes. You have to become an RN.
I agree with the previous poster, becoming an NP without any actual nursing experience is a really bad idea, and puts patients at risk. I get that you don't want to put in the time and effort, but in my opinion, it shows that patient care isn't a priority for you, and that's pretty scary.

This especially in bold. You want a quickie shortcut to Nurse Practice and yet have no clue what nursing is. Get your time in as an RN and then go for FNP. I don't trust nor want my family members cared for NPs who have no time as nurses first.

Wuzzie · Jun 14, 2017

Uh oh!

Simplistic · Jun 14, 2017

Go for your FNP right away. Think about all the extra money you would be making if you just jump straight in. Sure, experience is valuable but at the end of the day, the responsibilities of a NP vs a RN are not even comparable.

DTWriter · Jun 14, 2017

Go for your FNP right away. Think about all the extra money you would be making if you just jump straight in. Sure, experience is valuable but at the end of the day, the responsibilities of a NP vs a RN are not even comparable.

Agree and disagree.

If you manage to get into a FNP program without RN experience, jump on the opportunity; however, you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you manage to get your FNP certificate without RN experience.

At least while you are in a FNP program, you should get RN experience. Though, I am not saying to jump at any RN job out there. There are bad RN jobs for fledgling nurses (research it).

As a RN, you come across a variety of experiences, like getting yelled at by a physician or being treated like a maid by patients' families On serious note, you put what you learn into practice: you get to see what providers do for their patients with "x" problems, learn how to work with colleagues (or at least, learn how to pick and choose your battles), learn how to deescalate a situation, you learn how to do things the "street-smart" ways, you come across situations that you might want to discuss with other nurses online, learn how to cope as a nurse, get use to day or night shift, etc.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2017

Go for your FNP right away. Think about all the extra money you would be making if you just jump straight in. Sure, experience is valuable but at the end of the day, the responsibilities of a NP vs a RN are not even comparable.

Tongue in cheek? (I hope)

allnurses Guide · Jun 14, 2017

When reading through the responses to your post, keep in mind that (like many other hotly debated political topics) many people have passionate opinions, and not all passionate opinions come from a position of experience or perspective.

Here is my two cents:

Hello,
I am weighing the options of going into nursing. However, I would want to become a Nurse Practitioner as soon as possible.

It is far more helpful to know "why" you want to be a NP and "why" you want it as soon as possible. Have you spent time shadowing NPs in different settings?

Keep in mind that (largely) cheap-fast-and-easy is often not the best path when establishing a foundation for a career. That includes everything from your researching a career change through your ultimate education/preparation to your ultimate practice.

I already have a non-nursing related bachelor/master degree in education so this would be a career change. I currently work full-time for local government.

Nursing school at any level is a large financial and time commitment. Make sure you do your research about the time and money you will need to invest and the reward for doing so: salary, benefits, work schedule. If you work in government and you have a pension, discuss it with your financial planner about what makes sense for you long-term.

Would I need to complete my RN first and then on to earn the Nurse Practitioner license?

First, remember, programs grant degrees not licenses. All students NPs must hold an active RN license while doing clinical rotations: you must complete an accredited RN program, successfully past the national board exam (NCLEX), and meet the criteria to be licensed in your state.

Does anyone have any idea if there are programs that a designed for this or do most Nurse practitioners need work experience as an RN before moving on?

There are direct entry NP programs: programs designed to take individuals with prior degrees and move them along an accelerated path towards advanced practice nursing (APN). These program are both accredited RN programs and accredited APN programs combined in one (you will still need to follow the path as above). Some of these program require 1-2 years of RN experience during the graduate part of the program, others do not. These are typically long-established programs with strict admission criteria, though there are some less desirable programs popping up.

As far as whether RN experience is "needed", that is up for considerable debate. There is some published data on the topic but it is sporifice. From my experience (as a practicing NP and didactic/clinical educator), it varies tremendously on the individual. For the vast majority, RN experience seems helpful.

And if so, do most Nurse Practitioner positions require experience?

So do, some don't. This is where your research is of critical importance: you need to spent time shadowing local NPs and find out what the local job market and hiring practices are like, what programs are preferred, what experience is required, etc.

How many hours do most NP's work?

This varies tremendously based on the setting. I would venture, on average, the work week for most NPs is salary 40-50+ hours, while RNs is likely closer to hourly 36 plus overtime.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jun 14, 2017

The market is saturated with NP grads who have several years of acute care experience, multiple credentials, and good connections. They want acute care inpatient hospital jobs and I don't blame them, but nobody where I live is vacating those. They are highly desirable. I don't mean to be ugly, but as a new NP with no RN experience you will not be in the running for those jobs.

On the other hand, there are lots of doctor's offices and urgent care centers in need of NPs to see a new patient every twelve minutes. It won't be an issue until you send the lady home with an inhaler and she was actually in SVT. Be an RN for a few years first!