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Discussion

The Path to NP

So, I really appreciate everyone's feedback in my "Too old for NP?" post...

I would like to take this one step further and ask those who are currently practicing as NPs...

Note: I didn't post this in the "students" section because I want advice from NPs that have been in the field and know what is expected when facilities hire NPs.

So, first, I have a B.S. in Psych (minor in Business). In my last 2 years of undergrad, I took the pre-reqs for M.S. Physician Assistant programs but upon graduating college (and working in a hospital for 3 years) decided that I wanted to wait to truly commit.

Over the past few years though, I've been lurking on this site as well as PA sites. I've followed the conversations, the concerns, the debates etc. and after much time comparing and contrasting the two careers, I've very much decided that the NP route is better suited for me.

Anyways, I'm debating which path to NP I should take.

In your experience, is it more beneficial to go to school for a 2nd degree BSN or Direct Entry MSN?

In other words, upon graduation, will an employer be more likely to hire someone who did the Advanced BSN and worked for a short time afterward or someone who went to a Direct MSN with no nursing work experience?

In the hospital that I worked at, a few of the nurses told me that no one would bother to hire an NP without any nursing experience. Then added, "unless that person has 'paid their dues' and worked a few years in bedside, med / surg etc., it's unlikely they would be hired"; is this true? And, if so, what steps should I take to ensure the best success?

***One of my concerns with bedside etc. is that I was in an accident a couple of years ago that still prevents me from heavy lifting. I had to quit my job at the hospital because of the lifting and such. I fear that my not being able to do this will impede the process of becoming an NP if lifting patients is an expectation.

As NPs, what are your expectations of other NPs that are hired? What have you seen in terms of the experience that hospitals, clinics etc. look for when hiring? Do you feel that my inability to do heavy lifting will prevent me from this career path?

I am a planner by nature and want to make sure that I have ironed out all of the details beforehand.

Thanks in advance :)

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    • Experts

    Even if you go the direct-entry route, you will still have to complete basic nursing education (built into the direct-entry programs), which will include your fair share of heavy lifting in clinicals. Even if you never lift a person again, you'll have to get through school in order to get to that point.

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    • Guides

    I did the Direct Entry route, also as an older student. It didn't make a bit of difference to perspective employers that I did not have RN experience. They were much more concerned about my lack of NP experience, as they were with any new grad. I went to a good reputable school that employers in my area were familiar with, and I do think that made a difference. This was the right path for me. I enjoyed my RN training and wanted to work part time as an RN while completing my NP, but it didn't work out that way. I was able to get an NP job before I even graduated, and I haven't looked back. I think that bull-oney about "paying your dues" is a bunch of horse puckey. You have to do what's comfortable and workable for you. There are no dues that "need to be paid".

    As far as lifting is concerned, I work outpatient and there is no heavy lifting involved.

    Good luck, and keep us posted.

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    • Admin

    Thread moved to Student NP forum where Students as well as NPs will reply.

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    I work as a psych aprn. No lifting! though in inpatient you might have to help with restraints. There also might be lifting requirements for school. I think lifting is part of some job descriptions. Maybe you could start/ continuing a rehab program where you can learn to twist, bend, and lift without injuring yourself-at least enough to get through school and pass an employment physical if one is required.

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    Elkpark pretty much said what I was going to. Not only that, but I feel like nursing experience is good to have prior to being an NP. Let me first clarify that I am not an NP, and I won't start school until next month. However, I can definitely see the benefits of being an RN first, and speaking with current NPs, the consensus opinion is shared with mine.

    I feel like it helps you practice critical thinking skills, more easily look at the big picture, and pick up on things that may not be the "classic" presentation of something if you've seen it before in nursing practice. Not only that, but I feel like it can help you be more certain of what you're doing. I met a girl at orientation yesterday who said she was going back into school because she learned during her last few clinical semesters she doesn't think she can be a nurse and hated it, so instead of going to work, she was going to school. I asked how she chose psych as a new grad and her response to me was that she had mean and nasty patients in clinical and didn't think she would in psych. Yes, this was an actual conversation.

    I'm sure you're nowhere near as head-in-the-clouds as that, but it's just an example. There are direct entry NPs out there who are awesome NPs, and there are NPs with 25 years of bedside experience as an RN who are terrible. I just feel like bedside experience prior to school is invaluable for multiple reasons. Maybe bc I would never have the balls to go to school not being certain of what I was doing or have ever graced the field even slightly with my presence!

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    I think I would research both methods and have back up plans. Direct-entry MSN programs for even just an RN license is hard to find and then be accepted let alone getting accepted into one for direct-entry NP. It won't hurt to have a few plans just in case.

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    Another thing I forgot to mention, and this could be entirely based on area, but I have been looking at jobs just to kinda get a feel, even though I won't graduate until a couple of years. Almost all of them want at least 2 years of previous RN experience if you apply. That's another thing to think about.

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