Straight to FNP or work full-time first?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2012

i thought that most reputable np programs would only accept people who knew something about being an actual nurse, like with experience. how do you expect to do advanced practice when you haven't done beginning practice first? :nurse:

MillieT · Feb 28, 2012

I'm in FNP school now. Here's my perspective.

Clinical experience will help tremendously. I've done peds for 11 yrs and have taken a job on an oncology/med/surg floor to gain adult experience. I've been there a yr and have learned so much. Using the drugs and seeing the disease processes which are so complex and multi layered in adults has been fundamental. Repeatedly dealing with renal failure over and over helps you to see what complications occur and what treatments are needed. Dealing with unresponsive hypertension lets you get a feel for what can work and what won't. I can't express enough the advantage of this experience.

I work part time (24 hrs/week) and study almost all day everyday on my day off. It's going to take me 9 semesters to finish, 2 classes per semester. I don't know how I could possibly study more. I can't imagine doing this safely in 15 mos. Remember, you need to leave KNOWING how to treat and diagnose multiple diseases. Getting good grades isn't the only thing. You have to retain the info. It's a lot of work.

I would recommend working at least a yr before entering grad school and then working part time during school. Working helps to cement your knowledge, since you're getting more hands on experience.

Good luck with your decision!

Millie

Matt799 · Feb 28, 2012

GrnTea, I go to one of the best schools in the country so if you have an issue with the policy please contact them. Im interested in career advice only.

Matt799 · Feb 28, 2012

Thank you Millie, I appreciate your advice and I completely relate with the idea of cementing the knowledge. I get excellent grades but I can't help but feel repetition will make it stick and make the interventions second nature, which is where I would ideally be when I start NP school. The accelerated RN is so challenging but I agree, the grades don't mean you are a good nurse. For the record, I want to work for a year. My brother and his girlfriend, both Neuro ICU nurses, want me to take a year off to work. I just see a huge benefit in going straight through - I'm already in school mode.I hope to hear from anyone who has gone straight through and what their experience entailed.

I'm in FNP school now. Here's my perspective.Clinical experience will help tremendously. I've done peds for 11 yrs and have taken a job on an oncology/med/surg floor to gain adult experience. I've been there a yr and have learned so much. Using the drugs and seeing the disease processes which are so complex and multi layered in adults has been fundamental. Repeatedly dealing with renal failure over and over helps you to see what complications occur and what treatments are needed. Dealing with unresponsive hypertension lets you get a feel for what can work and what won't. I can't express enough the advantage of this experience.I work part time (24 hrs/week) and study almost all day everyday on my day off. It's going to take me 9 semesters to finish, 2 classes per semester. I don't know how I could possibly study more. I can't imagine doing this safely in 15 mos. Remember, you need to leave KNOWING how to treat and diagnose multiple diseases. Getting good grades isn't the only thing. You have to retain the info. It's a lot of work.I would recommend working at least a yr before entering grad school and then working part time during school. Working helps to cement your knowledge, since you're getting more hands on experience.Good luck with your decision!Millie

trauma_lama, BSN · Feb 28, 2012

Can you tell me what institution you're at? I'm working on my RN and I'd really like to go to an NP program without having to work as an RN first...I have 4 excellent nationally recognized universities with NP programs within distance of my home but they all require field practice before they will consider any NP candidates...

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2012

op, your initial post did not indicate that an np program had already accepted you. it is still my opinion that most reputable np programs prefer that their enrollees have some actual experience in nursing.

in the interest of your career, then, yes, i strongly recommend getting some experience as a nurse before you try to be an advanced practice one, regardless of what program you may or may not be in.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2012

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/all-those-nps-631041.html

OP if you have time, read this thread. This is by Rubyvee. I think it will give you much insight and possibly help you make a decision. I personally believe you should get your feet yet and work for a few years before starting NP school.Best wishes for whatever you do decide.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2012

Not having any work experience will hurt you tremendously as an NP both clinically and professionally. I worked full time for a year before going back to NP school. I then continued working full time while doing school. I now have four years under my belt as a nurse and wish I would have waited longer before going back to school. The students that have 10+ years as a nurse under their belt are miles ahead f the students with minimal experience. My cousin is an NP that went right from BSN to NP and she has told me that that hurt her job opportunities.

Matt799 · Feb 28, 2012

op, your initial post did not indicate that an np program had already accepted you. it is still my opinion that most reputable np programs prefer that their enrollees have some actual experience in nursing. in the interest of your career, then, yes, i strongly recommend getting some experience as a nurse before you try to be an advanced practice one, regardless of what program you may or may not be in.

"i did the accelerated 1-year program and as a part of my admission i have the opportunity to go directly in to a 15-month fnp program."i thought it was implied. thomas jefferson university offers dual admission in to 8 np programs for students that are accepted in to the accelerated rn fact program. the average age of students is 28; we have lawyers, mbas, drug reps, cardiac cath technicians, emt's, and a bunch of other professionals with real world experience who already graduated with at least a ba or bs and finished at top of their class. i think tju believes this has prepared us to do this quicker than normal.upenn, which is where i did my clinical and is widely considered the best nursing school in the us, offers the same no-experience admission in to their np programs.we say "no experience," but most of us have been in clinical 24 hrs per week, every week for a year straight and many of us have volunteered in hospitals and clinics.with all that said, i still don't think i'm ready to go straight in.

Matt799 · Feb 28, 2012

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this post cautioned against being a pompous, all-knowing dilettante NP, didn't it? Anyone who would act that way (and cant I.d. Pacer spikes lol) is someone I would never be. A big part of why I got in to this career is because it is a lifelong learning process. I LOVE learning, irrespective of who is teaching. I agree I should get my feet wet, but not because of what this article describes.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/all-those-nps-631041.htmlOP if you have time, read this thread. This is by Rubyvee. I think it will give you much insight and possibly help you make a decision. I personally believe you should get your feet yet and work for a few years before starting NP school.Best wishes for whatever you do decide.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 29, 2012

As a nursing student who would like to do graduate school, I think working at least one year on the floor is an absolute necessity. Crawl before you walk, walk before you run. You will be at a major disadvantage not having any work experience.