I'm a new grad Adult and Geri Primary Care NP. I do not have RN experience. Since I started seriously pounding the pavement in my job search, I have had numerous phone and in person interviews. I've also received multiple job offers.
Has anyone asked me if I had RN experience? Yes. When I answer that I have none, here are the 2 responses I've received:
"Good for you!"
"You must be very smart."
This will probably upset some readers, but it's the truth.
There are some job postings for new grad NPs for outpatient specialty positions that do require RN experience - oncology is one.
Conclusion: if you want to be a Primary Care NP, you are fine going straight from BSN to MSN. There are plenty of employers that will be happy to have you, at least in the Western U.S.
What exactly is a "provider trainee role"? My jobs were paying me top dollar and expected me to be able to carry a full load from day one.
Part of the training in NP school. Not referring to on-the-job training. I wasn't clear. Also, I've been around a lot ofd physicians, including those with lots of experience, but joining a new practice. Not once did I see them take a full load on day one. What is considered a full load for an NP. You have to learn the computers, there system of doing things, all the specialists to refer to, what tests/exams are completed in that office and the different insurance companies. Am I missing something?
I agree with ditching useless capstone projects. Where I think education needs to go is to utilize the MSN as a general nurse practitioner training while using the DNP as an area of focus. At the very least it can double the clinical hours, broaden knowledge of the different areas of advance practice, and allow a more educated decision when someone finally decides what kind of NP they want to be when they grow up.
I think you will have a lot of support regarding the DNP capstone. I always thought it was to become clinical experts, but no so. I don't know who came up with the requirements and it probably will take another generation to change the requirements. Some projects are worthwhile in that the nurse becomes an expert in a process change: however, some projects fizzle out, but the student has to continue on or repeat course. I think a 2-year paid residency, with1 year in primary care (general hospitalist for acute care) and 1 year in whatever area of practice you want, would make a nice DNP program. Presentations and lectures could be part of the program, as well as a requirement to submit written work for publication.
I look at it backwards from that. Use an MSN to get an overview of specialties with rotations in primary care, peds, ob, acute care, and mental heath. Then focus the dnp toward the specialty of choice where you become board certified.
Fullglass: Bcgradnurse wrote you a very nice, thoughtful reply to get you think about not coming across as so arrogant and to ostensibly stop this madness of a thread. You again attacked her.
My advice to you as well is to tone down the defensive attitude. No one will care -- the docs, RNs, MAs, the front desk, LEAST of all those patients who need your help-- about your prior job that had nothing to do w nursing or that you're fat and over 40. Remember you're there to learn at your 1st NP job. For you, this will include learning how to not be so defensive. It will get you nowhere quickly. And as a word of caution, your support staff can make or break your day so it's best to not walk around with your nose in the air.
Overall, this thread has been quite enlightening. Here is what I have learned about most of the participants:
1. You all gave a great demonstration of "nursing eats its young" in a manner akin to fraternity and sorority hazing. "I did x, so everyone should have to do x for all eternity."
2. Many of you are very resistant to change
3. Many of you are very insecure, as evidenced by your terror of having to compete for jobs if there is an NP surplus
4. The collective hive mind here functions at a middle school level in terms of emotional IQ. Many of you seem to think your opinion of me matters. Ridiculous.
5. It was fascinating to watch: as I refused to kowtow to you all, you started attacking me personally, yet when I defended myself, I became boastful, etc. Don't dish it out if you can't take it. Many of you all also resort to "double binding."
6. Many of you like to tear down others to feel better about yourselves
7. Some of you look down on clinicians that choose to practice in medically underserved and less desirable areas, assuming they must be subpar clinicians. Honestly, that is just plain disgusting and shameful. Talk about discrediting the nursing profession.
8. You all need to take responsibility for your reactions. You choose to be offended or not. That is your own responsibility. But, responsibility can be very scary.
9. Many of you seem to suffer from cognitive dissonance. Fact: I got multiple job good offers w/o RN experience. All your collective cluck-clucking and tsk tsking disapproval does not change that fact.
10. Most of you do not have any sense of humor and cannot engage in any sort of debate w/o getting angry or having hurt feelings. Have you all ever watched political debates? A great example of this is the British Commons Question Time, with a lot of insults hurled back and forth, but of course, those are adults who can engage in a spirited debate. I confess, at first this thread made me feel a bit frustrated, but I quickly got over it. Just so you know, I was laughing most of the time when responding, being as obnoxious as possible, because it was so easy to push buttons here that I couldn't resist the temptation. The only time I really got angry was the insinuation that anyone who chooses to practice in a remote rural area must be subpar.
Now, I am going to decide which of my 9 excellent job offers to accept. I decided to cancel an interview for a great cardiology NP position this week, because 9 offers is enough. I'll make a decision by the end of the week.
This entire thread is inflammatory and condescending. You came her for an argument and you got one. I sincerely hope you are very supervised in your practice because if your behavior on here is any evidence in how you conduct yourself professionally and personally, all I can say is wow.
Also, who are you to say anything about nurses eating their young? You've never worked as a nurse so your point is moot.
Skippingtowork
342 Posts
Part of the training in NP school. Not referring to on-the-job training. I wasn't clear. Also, I've been around a lot ofd physicians, including those with lots of experience, but joining a new practice. Not once did I see them take a full load on day one. What is considered a full load for an NP. You have to learn the computers, there system of doing things, all the specialists to refer to, what tests/exams are completed in that office and the different insurance companies. Am I missing something?