Thoughts on Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs for Non-nurses

[speechie123]

Hello,

I wanted to know everyone's thoughts on the accelerated nurse practitioner programs for non-nursing degrees. I am currently 20 years old and will be graduating this fall with my undergrad in Speech-Language Pathology. I have been accepted into graduate school for SLP, which would begin this fall (August 2015). However, I have recently become very hesitant to accept the grad school offer because I don't think speech pathology is for me. I have never throughly enjoyed it, and I don't want to invest more time and money into a program that I am not extremely passionate about.

In the mist of my reluctancy to go to grad school, I started researching other graduate program options. I know I want to do something that I do not have to get a whole, separate Bachelor's degree in, and I recently came across AMPNN programs. I know my end-all goal is wanting to become a nurse practitioner, and I am fairly certain I would like to specialize in family NP or Peds. Therefore, I do not want to become a RN, work for awhile, and then apply to the graduate program for NP. I am afraid I would get too comfortable working as a nurse, or potentially starting a family, etc., to go back to earn my Master's in NP. This is where you guys come in. I want to know if you think doing the accelerated program would back fire in the end. I am afraid that upon graduation for the accelerated degree, I won't be able to find a job because of preference over people who have had years of experience as an RN. I realize I would most likely not get my dream job right away, but I feel like once I land a job, they will become easier to find in the future. I just don't want to invest all this time, money, and effort into the accelerated program, graduate with thousands of dollars in debt, and not be able to get hired because I lack the experience. However, I know that nurse practitioners are the future of the health field, and this is something I am actually very eager to pursue.

Any insight from prospective students trying to apply to the accelerated programs right now, current RNs, current nurse practitioners, ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Anonymous1257]

Do you have any healthcare provider experience? Direct entry NP programs are great for individuals who know what they're getting into, but are a major commitment. I encourage you to find an NP, PA, or MD to shadow and get an understanding of what you'll be doing as a healthcare provider.

As to your concerns about finding a job, accelerated programs require you to earn your RN before going into the masters level material, so you'll have two years to get your hands dirty as an RN. In most areas you'll be no less competitive than any other new grad FNP.

[SierraBravo]

That's a touchy subject because I can tell a NP who has never worked as a nurse from a mile away, and both of the ones that I worked with didn't last more than 6 months on the job. I am in a NP program while I am working as a nurse and I can tell you that the clinical experience that I gain every day at work is simply invaluable. You must have graduated from HS early if you're only 20 and just now earning a Bachelors degree. What is it about being a NP that draws you to pursuing this educational pathway? And keep in mind that the accelerated MSN programs often times give you an accelerated BSN over 1 year but the MSN is still an additional 2-3 years long on top of the BSN.

With that being said, it is possible to go straight through and earn your MSN and start working as a FNP. However, the learning curve on the job is going to be extremely steep for you if you have no clinical experience as a nurse. If I were you I would strongly reconsider your plans if you decide to become a NP; work at least part time as a RN while pursuing the MSN to gain that critically important clinical experience.

[lmccrn62, MSN, RN]

Really??? I have never heard of a NP program for non nurses. Got to do it the good old fashion way. We wonder why there are physicians that don't support the NP role.

[NursingPassion11]

I'm in Washington State and Seattle University offers a program called "MSN for Non-Nurses: Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion." It's for non-nursing majors and it's a 2 year program. After the first year, you take the NCLEX to become an RN. After the second year, you become a NP. It's incredibly hard work! It's a fantastic opportunity! However, it is INCREDIBLY competitive. They accept 10-20 students per year for each of these options: Family Nurse Practitioner, NP Midwife, Adult/Gerontological, and Psychiatric. One of my friends that graduated from the program worked as a NP for a few years and then was accepted into the University of Washington Medical School, which is a very highly ranked medical school. So, I don't think the quality of a shortened program like this is by any means lower. I actually think highly intelligent, hard-working people are the only kinds of people that can survive a rigorous program like this.

I don't know if there are any programs like it in other states. As people previously stated, I recommend volunteering or even becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), to really get to know what it's like to be a nurse before you go down a very expensive road. Good luck!