NP path question

brap740, BSN, MSN · Jan 27, 2018

Extensive experience in previous careers you speak of. ..I'm curious about that if you care to expand.

Adam18 · Jan 27, 2018

I suggest the accelerated BSN route. Some direct entry MSN are all or nothing without a step-wise approach. If you quit in the middle of the program for whatever reason even if you're close to graduation, you don't Leave with a BSN or MSN. You need to complete the entire program to get both from my understanding. It also helps to work as an RN while you're getting your MSN. I can't emphasize enough how it contributed to my knowledge base. The experience of a nurse is to see through the eyes of a patient and feel through the heart of their loved ones. You will experience things a doctor may never get the opportunity to see or understand and this will be to your advantage....Plus, you'll have some extra cash to pay toward your tuition. You won't understand how healthcare truly works for patients and how to work as a member of the interdisciplinary team without that experience as an RN before working as an NP. Most employers require prior experience as an RN before hiring as an NP

Skippingtowork · Jan 30, 2018

I am a foreign medical graduate with no residency training here unfortunately.I am interested in Nurse Practitioner route as I think it is closest to being an MD.I have two options.
1.Do accelerated BSN in 16 months.Work a year as RN and then do NP masters degree
2.Do Direct entry MSN in 20 months,get RN license,work some time as RN and then get post masters certificate in any NP specialty.It will take around a year to finish
I have searched this forum about this and still not clear which path to choose.
I have heard that to get a RN job is very tough as MSN grad rather than a BSN grad.If yes then WHY?Guys I need some serious help and your sincere suggestions on this.Please help me out

Why are you thinking about nursing, rather than trying to get a residency? It's clear that you want to be an MD. I would suggest that you seek out other foreign medical graduates to see what they did. There are many nurses who are actually physicians in their home country. Some said they challenged the boards, but each state is different. Some went the RN/NP route. Many different options. You may want to consider studying for the exams required for MD licensure here and apply for a residency. I would ask questions from those who have MD training to get their perspective. Being a foreign medical grad does not mean no residency. Look around. Call some of those foreign graduate. Their may even be a medical association made up of doctors from your country. Good luck.

ToBeMSNNP · Jan 31, 2018

I have seen admission requirements of many CRNA schools and they require BSN.Can a MSN be eligible for those programs if he has tons of experience as RN in ICU?

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 2, 2018

I have seen admission requirements of many CRNA schools and they require BSN.Can a MSN be eligible for those programs if he has tons of experience as RN in ICU?

An applicant for CRNA school is more attractive with 2 years ICU experience and a CCRN certification than with a Master's degree. However, you'd still have to complete the entire program and your prior master's would not count, so essentially you'd be paying for 2 master's degrees. The fees for a CRNA program are enormous because you can't work during the program. This doesn't make financial sense. In my opinion you'd be better off getting a BSN, then working and gaining experience which makes you more marketable and then doing either a CRNA program or an NP program. A new grad MSN would not be an attractive candidate because they have no experience. Experience is everything in nursing.