When to go to graduate school?

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

i've been encouraged by at least one of my instructors to go ahead to go to grad school. my question is, can you start grad school if you don't have experience in the area you are thinking of pursuing? the prevailing wisdom, is to keep going while you have the academic momemtum (i'm finishing an rn to bsn program).

advice?

you will have to look at whatever program you want to get into. they will specifically state how many years of experience in what type of unit they want as a prereq. in my area even 3+ years of nursing, with charge experience and lots of committees at work, one of my coworker still can't get into an np program. many people going back.

WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2012

you will have to look at whatever program you want to get into. they will specifically state how many years of experience in what type of unit they want as a prereq. in my area even 3+ years of nursing, with charge experience and lots of committees at work, one of my coworker still can't get into an NP program. many people going back.

Thanks, this is what I thought. I wish you could at least take the common classes.

Palliative Care, DNP · Jun 21, 2012

If you don't apply you can never get in so all they can do is tell you no. I applied and interviewed at 1 school which is where I was interested in going. I didn't have the highest gpa in my cohort or wasn't on the most committees at work. I have worked at the bedside for 3 yrs and am now working prn due to school. No one can tell you when it is the right time for you to go except you. You have to decide you want to do it and then actually do it.