To all you NP's...

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As a freshman in college, I'll be starting my nursing classes next year. Ultimately, I would like to become certified as either an NP or a Nurse Midwife. Would you recommend working a couple years as an RN after I graduate before entering grad school? I am worried that if I don't continue on with school right away other things will get in the way and it will become more difficult to return later on.

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Marnie,

I would definitely recommend that you get some experience before pursuing an advanced degree. If you plan on going the NP route try to get critical care or ER experience if you decide you want to pursue being a Midwife definitely try labor and delivery. Besides most programs will not even consider your application without any experience.

Good Luck!

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I've become sort of an outspoken person on this subject. I am an FNP and went to one of those controversial "bridge" programs. Personally, I found that my little RN experience did not in any way really hinder my ability to be a good NP. However, I agree that there is no substitute for experience. I think that if your intelligent and have ambition, you can go for your NP education right after school. I wish you the best of luck!!! Remember, you have to make the decision regarding whether or not you feel you are ready.

Chris-FNP

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Speaking as an L&D nurse, some of the worst midwives I've worked with are those that have never been at the bedside. Please, please, PLEASE, if you're going to be a CNM, get some freakin' experience first.

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Originally posted by Chris-FNP:

I've become sort of an outspoken person on this subject. I am an FNP and went to one of those controversial "bridge" programs. Personally, I found that my little RN experience did not in any way really hinder my ability to be a good NP. However, I agree that there is no substitute for experience. I think that if your intelligent and have ambition, you can go for your NP education right after school. I wish you the best of luck!!! Remember, you have to make the decision regarding whether or not you feel you are ready.

Chris-FNP

Chris: How would you know if not being an RN first hindered your ability any? You have never really been a seasoned RN. RN's do the treatments and give the meds that the docs order, and therefore see firsthand what works and what does not. This in itself can be a great help once one starts prescribing. Also, well - developed clinical skills that an RN develops over time also aids in diagnosis done by the NP later. While I agree that you probably are an outstanding FNP, please do not entirely discount the RN experience. Many NP's say that it does help.

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NurseMark,

I don't discount RN experience at all!!! In fact, in my post, I said there is no substitute for experience. Personally, I feel as if I did quite well without being a "seasoned" RN, although I did work as an RN for about a year while in school. Most, if not all, NP students in "bridge" programs work as RNs while in school. Some work as RNs after school as well.

I was an EMT, ER-Technician, Phlebotomist, and a Medical Assistant prior to entering the non-RN to NP program that I went to. This gave me a lot of hands-on experience. I would think that most of these "bridge" programs want medical experience.

Chris-FNP

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