Straight to FNP

HakunaMatata10 · Jun 27, 2017

I was in a similar position when I graduated from undergrad with my first degree, so I may be able to help! But first, you seem to be a little confused on educational tracks/options into nursing, as was I at one time.

-First, to be eligible to sit for the RN licensure exam/boards/NCLEX you have to get an Associates (ASN/ADN), Bachelors (BSN), or Masters (MSN). You must have a RN license to be a NP, but you do not have to practice as a RN. Minimally, NPs have a RN license, a MSN degree and have passed the APRN licensure exam (this can be family, pediatric, acute care, geriatric, etc). There are also generalist MSN degrees such as informatics, education, management and clinical nurse leadership--these are not advanced practice degrees like the NP. .

There are direct-entry BSN and MSN programs all over the country specifically designed for second-degree non-nursing students who want to get into nursing after a career change like you. The format, program length, perquisite courses, and cost can vary significantly between schools so take your time and do some research. Of note, my previous bachelors degree was a double major in Biochemistry and Physics, so I had every single perquisite any school required plus some.. so I don't have much advice as far as that goes. I know you will have to put in some time to see what you have/need and complete the prereqs before you'll be eligible to apply to any nursing school.

If you want to start your NP career "as soon as possible," you should research Direct-entry MSN program with the FNP track. Remember not every direct-entry MSN program is designed for advanced practice, so look closely at what the program is offering and what the application requirements are. Again, every NP must be a licensed RN but you do not have to practice or work as a RN to become a NP. Despite what others have said, these direct-entry programs are designed to get students licensed as a RN within the programing then move them into the NP portion. The end goal of these programs is for the student graduate with a MSN degree, RN license, and be eligible to sit for NP boards. You would have no RN experience so you will have restricted job options but primary care offices and clinics hire limited experience NPs. As far as hours... just depends on the setting..Most NPs in primary care offices work typical 8 hr shifts, some health clinic NPs work 4 10 hour shifts. Inpatient NP around my area do 12 hour shifts, 7 days on, 14 days off.

Along with researching NP programs, I would suggest you take a look at some of the other Direct-entry MSN options/tracks like Informatics..not as directly involved with patient care like NP so lack of clinical experience would be less hindering... but still very important and needed with a solid career outlook.

I have to ask though, why NP? Nursing is the best profession--its humbling, rewarding and challenging--so if you want to get into nursing and be a NP for the right reasons you will do just fine. If you are looking to be a NP for the money, don't even bother. Those kind of people rarely make it through school and if they do, they leave the profession very fast. Seriously, don't even waste your time or money.

With that said, I disagree with those telling you that you would be putting patients at risk and that it would be dangerous for you to be a NP without RN experience. I personally know 2 NPs that are having successful careers without being RNs before. As both an ICU RN and NP student in clinical rotations currently, I can honestly say the majority of the amazingly impressive things bedside RNs do (esp. in critical care)are not applicable to the outpatient NP role. Don't get me wrong, you will lack things that NPs with RN experience have like basic assessment skills and even just creating the patient-nurse relationship and you will feel very uncomfortable for a long time but if the desire to provide quality patient care is there, you can build those skills over time.

Personally, I chose a direct-entry MSN program with the Clinical Nurse Leader track. The program was full-time for 5 semesters. We started clinical right away the first semester along with lecture courses/sim lab 5-5 days/week. You cannot have job full-time, literally impossible. Our group started out with 35 students and only graduated with 22 because it was hard (as it should be). Right out of school I got hired into the MICU as a bedside RN and absolutely loved it, 4 years later I still have the same job and love it just as much as when I started. I am currently working on my Post-MSN NP part-time now. Career change is hard, but it is well worth it!