What to do before applying to NP school

r0b0tafflicti0n · Dec 23, 2009

PA is a different animal--they typically require a lot less formal education, a lot more work experience. Usually. I've seen some PA schools that don't require a lot of work experience prior to applying, but it's rare.

Since you're just graduating, I'm assuming you will not have worked as an RN at all before going to school as an NP? What about other healthcare experience as a PCT/CNA/etc? Shadowing an NP or 2 or 3, maybe also shadowing a physician; knowing a clear difference in their roles.

I'm just throwing these things out there. . .I haven't applied yet either. I haven't decided whether I'll get an MPH before going on to a midlevel. My heart keeps saying CNM but my family responsibilities say NP:/

sjoy · Dec 30, 2009

I am getting ready to graduate with my BSN, and am planning on applying to NP school. The school that I am hoping to attend does not require the GRE. I am trying to do some research and figure out what I need to do to be a better applicant. The school requests a short essay, as well as the typical letters of reference. I have a friend that just applied to PA school, and she had to jump through a ton of "hoops". She joined PA associations, had to have a certain amount of volunteer hours and shadowing hours among other things. What are some key things that should be done to help me to stand out as a candidate? I want to be very prepared! Thanks!
Katie

What school are you applying to?

Is it online?

I am also looking at applying str8 from my ADN program which I am graduating from in April. I was looking at South University though. If I can find a better program... I just don't see why all the classes with South. Anywho ... I am a single mom of 3 so South doesn't require traveling and all that drama. It also is only a ANP but I want to do the FNP, so I said I'd just end up doing a post-masters cert.

katiemarie22 · Jan 13, 2010

I'm applying to Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I am applying for their Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. I am applying straight out of my undergrad because they allow you to as long as you are working part time and you have 1 year of experience before the clinical courses. I have some physical limitations (shoulder/joint issues) that make it necessary for me to have more education to have some more freedom and options as to how I practice - otherwise I would have waited a couple of years. To answer one of the questions - I also have experience by working as a medical assistant at an office, and also a student nurse (like an extern) at a Children's Hospital for a couple of years. Thanks for the advice!

Katie

aurora155 · Jan 13, 2010

Can you attend an information session or two for the program you hope to apply to? When I attended info sessions, they answered the exact question you are interested in and gave specific recommendations. The answer will vary by the school. One interesting figure for you to obtain might be the % of new BSN accepted into the program each year. Does the NP program tend to accept 50% new BSN, 50% experienced RNs? Or some other ratio? The school that has accepted me has said that they accept both types of student and value each--the program is definitely not just for experienced nurses.

I went to info sessions for 2 different schools and the question was asked how to get healthcare experience if you had none. Volunteering at a hospital often ends up being in the gift shop or the daycare area and not necessarily much exposure to nursing. Both of these schools made the suggestion to get CNA training if you had no healthcare experience. I did that, and I think it really helped my application. Since you will have your RN, you can do way better than that. It seems like there will be a gap between your finishing your BSN and starting the NP program, so would you be able to work as an RN in between? One school also required that one of your references be from a nurse.