Becoming an NP with little to no nursing experience??

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Hello to all!!! I have worked as a parmamedic for 20 years, have a B.A. in Economics, and I wanted to advance my career in healthcare. I was originally looking to pursue the PA route, but for certain practical reasons (including my union not helping to pay for it) I have been looking at other options, nursing/NP.

I was very excited to learn of a school near me that has a combined BSN/NP program for people with non-nursing bachelor degrees. I was about to start looking deeper into this program when a good friend of mine who is a member of an interview committee at a nearby hospital told me that I shouldn't do the program because I would have trouble getting a job.

The reason stated was because I wouldn't have been seen as having "paid my dues" as a nurse first.

Is this true?

I could understand why someone might feel that way about someone who went through this type of program never having worked in healthcare before. However, I like to think that to a certain degree I've paid my dues (I know it isn't nursing, but from a time in healthcare perspective).

My friend did say that I might be considered an exception to that rule. The program is at a VERY well known school and I was told by my friend even then it wouldn't matter. I was wondering what people here thought regarding this topic.

Thank you for any guidance you can provide.

Hmm. who is this, Same program, same Graduation date. Which classmate is this?

Jon here.

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. I was very excited to learn of a school near me that has a combined BSN/NP program for people with non-nursing bachelor degrees. I was about to start looking deeper into this program when a good friend of mine who is a member of an interview committee at a nearby hospital told me that I shouldn't do the program because I would have trouble getting a job. The reason stated was because I wouldn't have been seen as having "paid my dues" as a nurse first. Is this true? I

NETZER in Nashville:

I am troubled that becoming hired as an NP one must have first paid some 'dues' as an RN. This was nowhere in our study. hahaha. Well, I have to say as a recent Vandy NP graduate who is also a new RN, very similar to the program you describe, though Not with your years of prior medical expereince. I can say that there is are unspoken 'dues' to be paid, which has been spoken on a few occasians off the record with various charge nurses around Nashville. Hopefully your experetise in the feild and your schooling and contacts from the program will easily acquire you the job you require. One of your 3 second-year preceptors might even hire you off the bat. I encourage your entry into such a program.

If this is true, then what should we do? Should nobody even think about bothering with one of these direct entry NP programs? Or will things change at least to some degree when the job market is not as horrendous as it is now?

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Specializes in FNP-C.

You know what though, the paying the "dues" thing seems odd. Now with the Healthcare reform in place, will there actually be a greater need for NPs in that agencies are going to be willing to hire FNPs even with no previous RN experience?

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You know what though, the paying the "dues" thing seems odd. Now with the Healthcare reform in place, will there actually be a greater need for NPs in that agencies are going to be willing to hire FNPs even with no previous RN experience?

Plenty of employers already are (and have been for years). There are scads of direct-entry programs around the country turning out NPs, CNMs, and CNSs with no prior healthcare experience, period, and they're finding jobs ...

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Specializes in FNP-C.
Plenty of employers already are (and have been for years). There are scads of direct-entry programs around the country turning out NPs, CNMs, and CNSs with no prior healthcare experience, period, and they're finding jobs ...

Oh my. Thanks a lot, this is pretty reassuring that there are agencies hiring new grad NPs with no previous RN experience. Though I do hear a lot that it WILL be tough in a way without the previous acute care RN experience. If you were in my position of being a new grad since 2009 and going to be a new grad in august 2011, would you after graduating from the FNP program: a) Search and work as a new grad RN position for 2 years then try find work as an NP. b) Search and then work in areas hiring new grad NPs with no previous RN experience?

Reason why I'm asking you guys is because I've been thinking hard about what choice to make, but it's difficult sometimes because I'm hearing mixed information. I'm thinking that the places that would direct hire brand new NPs with no previous experience would be in many areas where not too many people would like to work at in certain rural areas of the country.

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I graduated from the program, however I had several years of nursing experience before I started it. I'll admit, I had never heard of a direct entry NP program until I went there. One of the direct entry students who graduated with me lives in the same city and she is doing extremely well. I would put her up against several experienced RN/NPs ANY DAY! Experience does NOT equal expertise!

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
I graduated from the Vandy program, however I had several years of nursing experience before I started it. I'll admit, I had never heard of a direct entry NP program until I went there. One of the direct entry students who graduated with me lives in the same city and she is doing extremely well. I would put her up against several experienced RN/NPs ANY DAY! Experience does NOT equal expertise!

Better to have expertise plus experience in my world.

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Specializes in FNP-C.

How do you expect to get the experience if there isn't much agencies hiring new grads?:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.
How do you expect to get the experience if there isn't much agencies hiring new grads?:uhoh3:

There will ALWAYS be jobs available. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But one thing that you must never forget is that the people who are at the top of the game will never lack for a job.

The trick is to present yourself as someone who is classy, hard working, knowledgeable, and easy to get along with. When you figure out how to pull that off then people will come to you looking to hire you.

The secret is to learn how to network and showcase yourself. Put your name out there. Get to know people. Be friendly and approachable. Be a good friend to everyone and lines will form looking to hire you.

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Oh my. Thanks a lot, this is pretty reassuring that there are agencies hiring new grad NPs with no previous RN experience. Though I do hear a lot that it WILL be tough in a way without the previous acute care RN experience. If you were in my position of being a new grad since 2009 and going to be a new grad in august 2011, would you after graduating from the FNP program: a) Search and work as a new grad RN position for 2 years then try find work as an NP. b) Search and then work in areas hiring new grad NPs with no previous RN experience?

Reason why I'm asking you guys is because I've been thinking hard about what choice to make, but it's difficult sometimes because I'm hearing mixed information. I'm thinking that the places that would direct hire brand new NPs with no previous experience would be in many areas where not too many people would like to work at in certain rural areas of the country.

Are you saying you have been a RN new grad since 2009 and will be a new grad NP in 2011? If so, I guess working as a RN now will not hurt your cause. I am presently in a a similar situation. I became a new nurse last year and went straight to grad school and plan to finish in May 2011. I work part time as a RN and per diem in a SNF. If you have no previous experience now and is a RN, I encourage you to get a part time job depending on the area you plan to work.I know some hospitals where I live do not hire NPs unless they have 3-5 years of experience as a RN, so I am basically disqualified from working there until a year after I graduate. However, the hospital where I work doesn't care apparently. It all depends. I really don't plan to do acute care after I graduate. At least not immediately. I know plenty of people who got jobs quickly even through the same route of part time RN experience. I am not sure with direct entry.Although you should be fine if that is your situation. Programs would not be alive if their graduates aren't able to get jobs.

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It seems to me that if you have the education and acheived degree then you are a NP. The pay rate may be less as your experience would be less. But, I can't see why you wouldn't get a job if you have the education/certification.

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Specializes in Critical Care Nursing AKA ICU.

Becoming an NP with little to no experience:

i also know a nurse that did it, got her BSN and went straight into FNP... i guess the positive thing about that is that she never learned any "bad habits"

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