Thinking about FNP

Candimk2 · Mar 10, 2014

From what all of my NP friends have told me being a nurse and being a NP are two completely different worlds. They have also told me to go straight through, although I'm actually going to skip a semester before I apply. As far as providing for your family, it doesn't get much better than being a NP. There are SO many different types of jobs from hospitalist, to working in an office M-F, to working in a minute clinic just 3 twelve hour shifts, to...you get the picture. I say GO FOR IT! Don't stop now. You can do this. If you can survive nursing school, you can do this. Don't stop!

allnurses Guide · Mar 10, 2014

I am always afraid to make mistakes, but that is because I have made TWO so far!
What if I don't clearly understand the contraindications for medications? What if my patient asks me a question and I can't answer it?
I want to advance my practice so bad, but I am going to be honest here: I want it so that I can provide for my fmaily.
Is it a high stress level job like working in an ICU?
Will I learn all I need to know in school to be a competent NP?

Being afraid of mistakes is an important thing, at both the RN and the APN level, provided it forces you to be careful and deliberate in your practice. Everyone makes mistakes; we learn from the mistakes we make and we try as avoid as many as possible. Even the best providers make errors.

There are always "what ifs". They get worse at the APN level. But I can say this: you won't always know the answer to all the questions you are asked. You have to be comfortable with that, in fact, it's dangerous not to be.

You need to do it for YOU. You can provide for your family just fine as an RN, or any other profession.

It is high stress but not in a way that is comparable to nursing (in my opinion) as the roles are too different.

Hopefully you learn the foundation of what you need to know in school: differentiation between normal and abnormal, safe prescribing, and the limitation of your own practice.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2014

There are many threads on how much experience is needed to succeed as a NP student and after as a NP, and there are probably more opinions on the subject than there are people making the opinions. The fact of the matter is it's a personal decision, that only you can determine when you are ready to tackle the schools work, and dedicate the time and effort to becoming the NP you want to be (if that is your ultimate goal).

Others have come before you with less life and nursing experience and been successful. Others have needed more experience in both regards and been successful. Both groups have failures as well. So, some questions to ask yourself would be:

Why do I want this? How badly do I want it? What are the advantages/disadvantages to waiting or doing it now? My gut tells me you have a strong desire to be a practitioner, but you are afraid that it is a big step. It is a big step, and it will take personal growth, but you will have several years of training in which to grow into your new position.

Someone once said "we don't regret what we tried to do, but what we didn't try to do", or something like that. So, if you really want it, figure out if you are ready to go to school or not. Sometimes, you need to set some intermediate goals of things you want to accomplish in the next 6 months, or a year before applying. Some might be personal growth, deeper understanding of pathophysiology, or financially paying off loans, etc. On the other hand you may determine you are ready to jump in with both feet and take on the schooling right now. Neither is a wrong decision as long as you make it with as much understanding of where you are and where you want to be.

Finally, there is no fully prepared student. At some point we all just have to jump in and go for it.

I hope you find clarity and make a decision that you are able to back 100%!

chillnurse, BSN, RN, NP · Mar 11, 2014

I worked as a nurse only while in school. Being a nurse won't prepare you for being an NP, except maybe with the patient communication skills, time management, and physical exams. It is two completely different worlds.

chillnurse, BSN, RN, NP · Mar 11, 2014

I would do it as soon as possible, since the learning curve will be steep in the beginning no matter which path you choose. I work as a hospitalist and the difference between each career is still very large. I can only imagine how different it would be working as a floor nurse and transitioning to a clinic based practice after graduation.

LillyBud · Mar 11, 2014

Thanks you all so much for your feedback! This is definitely my dream. I think while I am in between my BSN and starting for MSN I can take some time to focus and ... clarify :) Thanks for giving me encouragement!!

Pachinko · Mar 11, 2014

I was an RN for seven years before starting my FNP program. Some of my fellow students have been bedside nurses for far less time and are doing well in the program. I liked bedside, which is why I stayed.

I do think that getting bedside experience, especially in an ICU, puts you ahead on the learning curve in school. That said, I'm not sure that it's necessary in order to be a good FNP. You might want to look into any research on the topic (if it exists).