Why are you a NP rather than an RN?

Wren · Jan 30, 2004

:confused: Kelli, I am confused about your program ...how long would it take you to get your Masters?

I can't imagine working as an NP without having worked as an RN for at least a few years. I know of nurses who have gone straight out their BSN programs into an NP program but I think it'd be though. I'll be curious to see if anyone else answers your post that maybe went that route. Good luck with whatever path you decide to pursue though!

kellilou3 · Jan 30, 2004

Originally posted by Wren
Kelli, I am confused about your program ...how long would it take you to get your Masters?

Here is the website: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/prespec.html

I would have to take 3 semesters of general nursing courses and then 3 semesters of specialty classes to earn the MSN degree, so I would be in school the same length of time as ADN. I have decided that I'm not going to do this, though, because of my lack of hands-on nursing experience. Plus, it would cost almost $100,000 in tuition for the MSN vs. $5,000 for the ADN. I will just go for the ADN and let whatever facility I work in pay for my education the rest of the way!

Dave ARNP · Jan 30, 2004

I am a NP because I wanted to make the orders, not follow them.

Once you understand that, you realize that bedside nursing is alot different from advance practice.

Dave

globalRN · Jan 31, 2004

I am a NP because

1)I was tired of shift work

2)Could never return to a RN job I loved because of union

regulations (no external applicants likely to succeed)

3) lived in a country where you are your best healthcare

advocate...and knowledge is power.

4)A masters degree would give me more career options

AND

I do enjoy the autonomy of being a NP

BONUS

You can provide the quality of care for your patients that you would wish for yourself and your loved ones.

My experience: Patients love you . Most doctors really appreciate you and your contribution. It is actually the nurses that seem to have greatest difficulty with the NP role.

Bev6 · Feb 3, 2004

Dear Kelli,

I am an FNP student who started out as an ADN, then finished my BSN while working in the field. I think my nursing experience and background is inherently helpful in my current educational endeavors.

I am aware that there are some NP programs which allow you to pursue the degree without the benefit of nursing background and experience. However, nursing has a philosophical stance of its own which can only be gleaned by coming up through a nursing education. Of course, nothing beats experience as an adjunct to formal education.

My suggestion to you would be (unless you are in a big fat hurry . . . ) to pursue one of the fast-track BSN programs for RNs, work in the field for at least a year or two and THEN apply to an NP program. It is difficult to explain the benefits of background . . . but experience is a wonderful teacher!

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide to do.

Bev6 · Feb 3, 2004

Hi Kelli,

Sorry . . . I forgot to mention why I chose to become an NP. It seemed to be the natural progression of things, for me.

And I also want to give the orders instead of take them . . . (I have more legible handwriting than most of the MDs I have known!) :roll

Bev6

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 13, 2004

Kelli

I am a fairly new NP (just started my job about 6-7 weeks ago). I chose to enter advanced practice b/c I like nursing enough to stay in it for the long haul but did not want to stay a bedside nurse b/c of the ever increasing ratios and decreasing support. Going for my MSN seemed to me to offer the most options--if I get tired of clinical advanced practice, I have plenty of other choices open to me.

I strongly feel that any RN who wants to move into advanced practice should have at least a year or two of bedside nursing experience. When I started my NP program, I had been an RN for 4 years and continued working through grad school (one of the benefits of choosing NP over PA--most PA programs discourage their students from working much). There were 2 girls in my program who went straight from undergrad to the NP program and did quite well--I know that one of them actually did take a staff nurse position after finishing the NP program to get some of that "bedside nursing" experience under her belt.

As for the issue of RN's appreciating/resenting NP's---I think it depends what setting you're in. I am in a cardiac cath lab and while some of the RN's are supportive, others are not. Lucky for me, I get along quite well with many of the CCU nurses (where most of our patients are admitted) and there doesn't seem to be any animosity towards me. I try to communicate with the nurses about the plan for the patients I am in charge of and value their input as well. I feel that the patients appreciate what I bring to the table and I like that I can spend more time with them than I could if I were a staff nurse.

Good luck to you and don't hesitate to contact me privately if you have any other questions/concerns

Laurie

Nurse Jeni · Mar 13, 2004

Many of the MSN Direct Entry programs on the west coast are three year programs. The first year is spent earning your RN. Although no BSN is earned, you are able to get an RN license after passing the NCLEX. The final two years are spent learning the NP role. The curriculum is usually set up to allow you to work as an RN while you complete the last two years of the MSN program. Thus, by the time you're finished you've had a year or two of experience, albeit part-time, in bedside nursing.

Good luck!

nurseaboveboard · Mar 14, 2004

Hello everyone. I am currently in my 2nd class of msn/np program. I am not exactly sure what I'm going to do with it, or what opportunities I'll have. Too early to think about it. I work full-time, go to school one eve a week. Do you think the opportunities will increas for NP?

greatdane · Mar 14, 2004

my suggestion to you would be (unless you are in a big fat hurry . . . ) to pursue one of the fast-track bsn programs for rns, work in the field for at least a year or two and then apply to an np program. it is difficult to explain the benefits of background . . . but experience is a wonderful teacher!

i am going to agree and disagree with the above statement. my advice would be this....if you have the chance to matriculate into an np class now...go for it. why would you spend the time getting an adn when in the same time you can do a np tract...don't both give you a rn license....yes. however, nothing says you have to practice as a np when you graduate. you can work as a rn for a year of two to gain that valuable (and i really believe it is valuable) experience....then look to move up and work as an np...that way just makes a lot more sense time and financial wise....anyways, just my .02 cents worth

pinny · Mar 14, 2004

I agree with Great Dane. I strongly advise you pursue your NP instead of the ADN. I too had the choice ~ 4 years ago between the two. I chose the NP route as a BA Psychology grad (like you) and then went straight into a 3 year program that allowed me to get my RN, MSN and NP at the same time. I took the undergrad and grad nursing courses, sat for the NCLEX and graduated this past June! I passed the national certifying exam and am now practicing as a NP in women's health. I love it. I did work temporarily as an RN at a prestigious hospital for the "experience" after graduation (that was my first and only job as an RN). It is nothing like working as an NP. Totally different!! I encourage you to go for the NP, you can practice as an RN when you finish your degree even if you have the NP licensure!

Best of luck.

Pinny :wink2: