I am praying that some of you have heard of or have taken NP programs (specially in VA) that do not require RN experience to be accepted?
If you know of any online programs as well, that will be appreciated too. I know most online programs whoever do require travel to their main campus and for that reason, I would prefer a VA program.
Thank you all for your time!
Also, I have looked at other feeds about this topic, however none specific to VA or none within the last 2 years.
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
If you want to work inpatient, I'd suggest RN experience first. The things you just know walking into a room after five seconds will be supremely helpful.
If you work outpatient, maybe 20 percent of your RN experience will be useful. It's just a different world.
I know some great inpatient NPs with less than two years of bedside RN experience, some horrible ones with 15 years at bedside. While I respect some friends who say that all NPs should have substantial RN experience, I don't agree with them. Many people need that experience. Some don't. Some people read 25 hours a day outside of work and make NPs with 20 years of RN experience look clueless, because they have hunger for knowledge, energy, passion, and so on. RN experience is super helpful, but some people have a strong ability to learn massive amounts of information quickly and a way of looking at moments in context that allows them to adapt rapidly. I also know people who are rabid about being condescending to NPs who didn't work as RNs for 10 years first, even though they themselves had zero experience in the areas they now work as NPs.
Take it all with a little salt. If you took ACLS, felt inadequate, then spent 752 hours reviewing journals on resuscitation, you'll adapt quickly. If you took ACLS, realized you didn't know how to run a code, then ate a cheeseburger while watching Grey's Anatomy, you need to be an RN for a long while first.
LessValuableNinja
754 Posts
If you want to work inpatient, I'd suggest RN experience first. The things you just know walking into a room after five seconds will be supremely helpful.
If you work outpatient, maybe 20 percent of your RN experience will be useful. It's just a different world.
I know some great inpatient NPs with less than two years of bedside RN experience, some horrible ones with 15 years at bedside. While I respect some friends who say that all NPs should have substantial RN experience, I don't agree with them. Many people need that experience. Some don't. Some people read 25 hours a day outside of work and make NPs with 20 years of RN experience look clueless, because they have hunger for knowledge, energy, passion, and so on. RN experience is super helpful, but some people have a strong ability to learn massive amounts of information quickly and a way of looking at moments in context that allows them to adapt rapidly. I also know people who are rabid about being condescending to NPs who didn't work as RNs for 10 years first, even though they themselves had zero experience in the areas they now work as NPs.
Take it all with a little salt. If you took ACLS, felt inadequate, then spent 752 hours reviewing journals on resuscitation, you'll adapt quickly. If you took ACLS, realized you didn't know how to run a code, then ate a cheeseburger while watching Grey's Anatomy, you need to be an RN for a long while first.