What do you think about...

I think they're 2 very different roles. I have no interest in becoming an NP, and some NPs have no interest in working as an RN.

Are we talking about Advance Nursing Practionners? If so, then in some places people can become NP, ONLY after becoming an RN. And, actually, Nursing Practionners as a profession is still not integrated where I am, although one of the major universities has redesigned its BSN programm in order to better prepare students for the future Nursing Practionner Programm (that is yet to come). I am dreaming about beacoming an ANP, but it is a long road. Meanwhile, I enjoy being a 2 nd year Nursing Student :-) Enjoyment of doing one or another is highly subjective. Personally, I enjoy helping people. Hopefully, at some point I will have enough knowledge (AND EXPERIENCE) to do so with greater autonomy.

What do you think about nurses who become nurses just for the sake of becoming a nurse practitioner? Do you think one must enjoy being an RN in order to make a good nurse practitioner or do you think the sooner you become a nurse practitioner the better off you'll be. I'm just curious how others feel about the subject.

It's exactly what I did... and I was nauseous the entire educational time because of the RN part of it.

I am probably going to get flamed for this but... it seems to me that if you become an NP without appreciating or embodying the special qualities of nurses, then you're not really bringing that extra something special to being an NP. In my opinion what makes me prefer an NP over a PA as a practitioner is the knowledge that an NP has been there, in the trenches, sharing the pt's experience (as an RN) in ways that no one else in the medical profession can. If you just go straight through school or "put up" with one year at the bedside, than how can you claim to have that extra ability to relate? You just can't. You're a PA with a nursing license. Not that there aren't great PAs and MDs out there who are really empathetic BUT there is just that something extra, that nondescript nurturing quality that a nurse brings to everything she does IMO.

My wife is currently an NP in Northern NJ and has become one because she's passionate about what she does and passionate about continuing education. She is interested in going back to Columbia for her doctorate in nursing practice once New York State approves the program. It was supposed to be up and running in 2003 but has yet to...

From an outsider's perspective, if you're so inclined, I think the more credentials the better. You'll be a better provider as you'll be more knowledgeable and will make more money whatever your role.

I found this website because I am helping her begin to research having her own practice in a couple of years. She rocks. :)

James

If one wants to be paid as a practioner, then they better pick up those advanced skills and use them.

It's exactly what I did... and I was nauseous the entire educational time because of the RN part of it.

Hi CGFNP, my goals are to become a CNP one day and to specialize in cardiology. But I plan on obtaining my BSN first, work part-time & continue twds that goal. Why were you so nauseous?? What did you find most diffucult in school? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Nena

Hi CGFNP, my goals are to become a CNP one day and to specialize in cardiology. But I plan on obtaining my BSN first, work part-time & continue twds that goal. Why were you so nauseous?? What did you find most diffucult in school? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Nena

Hi Nena...

I was nauseous because I think a lot of the nursing stuff is crap (just personal opinion... no offense to anyone). I wanted to practice medicine from the get go, and chose the NP route for several reasons. It was very frustrating to have to write papers about nursing theorists when I desperately wanted to know everything about EKG, xray, surgery, etc etc. That was the hardest part.

Hi Nena...

I was nauseous because I think a lot of the nursing stuff is crap (just personal opinion... no offense to anyone). I wanted to practice medicine from the get go, and chose the NP route for several reasons. It was very frustrating to have to write papers about nursing theorists when I desperately wanted to know everything about EKG, xray, surgery, etc etc. That was the hardest part.

Every one has their opinions about nursing and reasons for going into nursing. No offense taken on my part. One last question...if you don't mind. Are you satisfied now in your field? Was all the nausea worth it?

You wanted to learn more about ekg's, xrays and surgery:rotfl: Nursing stuff is crap????? So you are a N.P.?????

Hi Nena...

I was nauseous because I think a lot of the nursing stuff is crap (just personal opinion... no offense to anyone). I wanted to practice medicine from the get go, and chose the NP route for several reasons. It was very frustrating to have to write papers about nursing theorists when I desperately wanted to know everything about EKG, xray, surgery, etc etc. That was the hardest part.

... but for some people, I believe they can develop that perspective through coursework and supervised clinical practice as a student. I guess it depends upon the quality of the educational program.

llg

Well, I guess a great program can create an environment in which a student learns the fundamental values of nursing. But then you're left with the clinical question. It is very doubtful that even the greatest nursing undergraduate program could provide the necessary breadth of experience necessary to recognize and/or resolve complexe clinical situations. While it is true that in the real world there are other clinicians available for consult and opinion, often early recognition is key_ understanding the subtle, early signals is instinctive when you have practiced at the bedside for years and watched your patients progress into sepsis or get an illeus or start to show early signs of losing reserve or whatever. Whereas Doctors have years and years of supervised training AFTER school, NPs only have clinicals and a paltry mentorship. This is why practice as an RN is so heavily valued when assessing the CV of an NP.

I have not met a single NP or MD for that matter who have found it to be a wise decision to progress immediately from BSN to NP. I myself am debating medical school vs. CRNA right now and feel guilty about only doing 2 yrs in SICU as an RN. I may go for longer because there is so much that I'm learning that will be of value, besides I really enjoy being a shop steward for my union which I would have to give up. :)