Working as an RN, Learning as an NP?

db2xs · Sep 6, 2017

After I finished my BSN, I worked for a year and then got into an NP program. I worked full-time while going to school part-time (which takes three years). By the time I'll be done, I'll have had 4.5 years of bedside experience.

If you are extremely motivated and love stress, then working full-time and going to school full-time will be up your alley. Otherwise, I suggest considering doing one of them part-time. But it is not impossible to do full-time, but the colleagues I've seen doing that, I don't know how they did it, knowing what I know now.

allnurses Guide · Sep 6, 2017

Hi Everyone!
I'm a senior nursing student at a university in New York.
I plan on graduating with my BSN and working while applying to a BSN-DNP program.
I figure that it is going to take 3 years to complete my DNP, so I might as well work to get three years of RN experience under my belt simultaneously.
Have any of you done this?
Thank You! :-)

Honestly, it's not good for you, your patients, your employer, or your investment.

mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2017

@ db2xs

Hi! Thank you for your response! Wow, that is awesome; you are truly dedicated. I love the stress, and I am definitely motivated - I've had a passion for nursing since I was 5 years old! lol! Ever since I got into the gear of things, I can't stop; I just want to keep going and learning more. Thank you for the insightful response! :-)

mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2017

@ BostonFNP

Hello :-)

How so? I would like to know what your thought process is regarding the matter.

allnurses Guide · Sep 7, 2017

@ BostonFNP
Hello :-)
How so? I would like to know what your thought process is regarding the matter.

So you understand where I am coming from, I have spend a good many years as a practicing NP as well as a clinical and didactic educator for both NP students and medical students.

First and foremost, starting a MSN/DNP program is a big investment in your future, both a financial investment and an investment of your time. This investment is realized by developing a strong foundation for clinical practice.

As I am sure you are aware as a nursing student, there is quite a learning curve in beside nursing and it takes several years of practice to socialize into that role. The APN role is completely different from the bedside RN role, and as you can imagine, when trying to transition into one role while trying to learn another role, you are not devoting you time and energy to either fully and corners get cut. When corners get cut, you suffer, your patients suffer, and (ultimately) your investment suffers.

As you can imagine, your employer invest time and money into training you, and when you are not fully involved in that and then you leave once you have just finished your training, the employer suffers.

I have seen numerous students struggling, and often failing, at trying to do this. Its not that it can't be done, it can, but in the end it doesn't make good use of your investment.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Sep 7, 2017

I worked 6 months full-time as a bedside RN before heading to a part-time NP program (MSN) and I now work part-time. Although my program is part-time, the clinical year (2 semesters of specialty-only didactic courses & clinical experience) is designed to be full-time. During that time I will only work 1 shift a week at most.

I'm aware that some people try to work full time as a RN during clinical courses, but I think that would be a sub-optimal way of getting the most out of your education. The clinical year's focus should be to get as many practice hours as possible, hone any clinical skills that we're not comfortable with, and leave time to learn and read as much relevant materials as possible outside of the assigned reading.

mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2017

Okay, I see where you are coming from with your point of view. I definitely understand what you mean; don't learn to speak Spanish while trying to learn Chinese. The two practices are different; and I could end up losing focus on each. Thank you for your opinion :-)

mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2017

@ umbdude

Thank you for your response! :-)

Very inspirational and encouraging. I agree with a lot of the points you made. How is the NP program going for you so far?

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 9, 2017

My path was slightly different. I earned my RN at a community college and worked as an RN while completing my BSN. After gaining 2 years of experience, I'm now enrolled in an MSN-FNP program. I'm still working full-time and going to school full-time. We do self-scheduling, so I am able to work Fri, Sat & Sun, which frees up Mon through Thur to focus on school. I will try to continue working full time when clinicals start next year. I do have the option of dropping to per diem if I need to. I'm hoping I can get my clinical days Tue, Wed, Thur, so I can do three 6 hour days and still have time for homework, SOAP notes, etc. By the time I'm done with the FNP, I will have 4 years of RN experience in critical care, 3 in the ICU.

I know from your prior posts that you were considering ACNP. Just be aware that many ACNP programs require acute care or critical care experience prior to enrolling in the program.

Fatguyinalittlecoat · Sep 10, 2017

I just started my first clinical rotation and couldn't imagine working full time given the time needed for them and my studying. I'm not the smartest person around so I make up for it by hard work so time in the library/studying is a must for me. I feel fortunate to be able to pull it off financially (barely), but I know that this is the most important time to get the most out of your program so the hit to my wallet is worth it.

I would encourage you to save as much as you can in order to make the transition as bit easier and provide more options for yourself.

theatretonursing · Sep 15, 2017

"If you are extremely motivated and love stress" haha...

but really though, I think I do a better job when I'm stressed than when I can just chill.

This made me giggle.