Neonatal NP

[CMeaker]

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I am thinking of applying to an accelerated RN/MSN program, if I am not accepted into pharmacy this year, where if you have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing you can complete both RN and MSN in only 2.5 years. My question is do any of you think I will have a difficult time in the MSN program if I have no prior work experience as a nurse other than RN program clinicals? Also if any of you NP's out there can give me a feel for what your daily routine at work is like I would really appreciate it. I am having the most difficult time deciding whether to do graduate studies in Pharmacy, PT, or NP. Any of these professions feel free to tell me what your work day is like, etc.

 

[ayndim]

I am thinking of applying to an accelerated RN/MSN program, if I am not accepted into pharmacy this year, where if you have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing you can complete both RN and MSN in only 2.5 years. My question is do any of you think I will have a difficult time in the MSN program if I have no prior work experience as a nurse other than RN program clinicals? Also if any of you NP's out there can give me a feel for what your daily routine at work is like I would really appreciate it. I am having the most difficult time deciding whether to do graduate studies in Pharmacy, PT, or NP. Any of these professions feel free to tell me what your work day is like, etc.

I really doubt you would find a job as a NP without at least 1 year RN experience. Not to be mean but have you looked at the job postings for NPs. Most I have seen ask for 2-3 years experience as a RN for NP jobs. Just a thought but if you are serious do it the long way and the right way. No way will you be prepared without rn experience. I have looked at doing the RN to MSN (either CNM or NP) and when I really started looking at them they didn't really seem to give the best education, even though they required 1 year as an RN. I also have a bs in another field but no way would I risk the lives of people by trying to take short cuts. Can you tell I really hate the MSN programs for non RNs. I think they are doing a disservice to the student as they will have tons of trouble finding a job and to the pts if they do manage to get a job, as they will not have the experience and skill a student with a couple of years of nursing experience under her belt will.

 

[medsomething]

Actually, there is now a law that mandates you have to practice 2 years as a Neonatal nurse before beginning clinicals for NNP. So the whole process will take longer than 2 1/2 years. I am also considering doing this.

 

[CMeaker]

Actually, there is now a law that mandates you have to practice 2 years as a Neonatal nurse before beginning clinicals for NNP. So the whole process will take longer than 2 1/2 years. I am also considering doing this.

I emailed the office of admissions for the UF college of nursing and asked them if work experience is necessary between getting the BSN and beginning the MSN and they said "no". I wonder if they actually know what they are talking about. Is the NNP one of the only ones that requires work experience before being admitted to the MSN program?

 

[deleted6669]

there are also a # of np programs that do not require a bsn prior to admission. an individual with a bs in anything can do an entry level program which includes the bsn and msn/np

 

[C1976]

I am in a program which allows me to earn a BSN and MSN (Nurse Practitioner) in 3.5 years. It is a program designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. I'm about 3/4 of the way into the program, and have been working as a RN for about a year. I think the combined programs are fine, as long as you keep a couple things in mind. First, I think nursing experience is crucial. I am not saying that because I think people need to "pay their dues" or anything like that before doing the job they want to do; I just think that, even for a very intelligent, very motivated person, it is a lot of information to absorb in only a couple years. And there is nothing quite like seeing different people present in different ways over a reasonable period of time in order to gain the level of understanding you will need on the job. The more I get into the program, the more humbling it is. I think it would be dangerous for a person with only 2 1/2 years of health care education and no experience to work as a NP. No matter how good the nursing school is, there is so much you just don't get from clinicals that only come with a little time. So my advice is to stretch it out over at least 3 or 4 years and try to squeeze about 2 years of health care work experience in there. Unless your background is exceptional (like if you have been a respiratory therapist for several years or something), 2 and a half years isn't enough for it all to sink in. Think about the kind of background you would want the person taking care of your own child to have. I don't mean to be discouraging, I would just urge you to consider a longer program or doing that one a bit slower.

 

[CMeaker]

I am in a program which allows me to earn a BSN and MSN (Nurse Practitioner) in 3.5 years. It is a program designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. I'm about 3/4 of the way into the program, and have been working as a RN for about a year. I think the combined programs are fine, as long as you keep a couple things in mind. First, I think nursing experience is crucial. I am not saying that because I think people need to "pay their dues" or anything like that before doing the job they want to do; I just think that, even for a very intelligent, very motivated person, it is a lot of information to absorb in only a couple years. And there is nothing quite like seeing different people present in different ways over a reasonable period of time in order to gain the level of understanding you will need on the job. The more I get into the program, the more humbling it is. I think it would be dangerous for a person with only 2 1/2 years of health care education and no experience to work as a NP. No matter how good the nursing school is, there is so much you just don't get from clinicals that only come with a little time. So my advice is to stretch it out over at least 3 or 4 years and try to squeeze about 2 years of health care work experience in there. Unless your background is exceptional (like if you have been a respiratory therapist for several years or something), 2 and a half years isn't enough for it all to sink in. Think about the kind of background you would want the person taking care of your own child to have. I don't mean to be discouraging, I would just urge you to consider a longer program or doing that one a bit slower.

Thanks for the insight. I want to be good at what I do so if you think I would be better off getting some work experience first I will probably do that. What do you think of the accelerated BSN program for people who already have a B.S. in another field? The accelerated BSN program at UF is 13 months.

 

[C1976]

Thanks for the insight. I want to be good at what I do so if you think I would be better off getting some work experience first I will probably do that. What do you think of the accelerated BSN program for people who already have a B.S. in another field? The accelerated BSN program at UF is 13 months.

I think an accelerated BSN is the way to go, particularly if you are eager to start getting some experience to reach your ultimate goal. My program was 18 months, but I think 13 is definitely doable if you have the energy to devote to it. Good luck!

 

[raagi]

I am a BS bio student in my 4th year, and I'm looking into the various alternate entry nursing programs. I know that UT Austin, Yale and UC San Fran have this program. Does anyone else know what other schools offer the alternate entry program for non BSN students to get their MSN?

 

[C1976]

I am a BS bio student in my 4th year, and I'm looking into the various alternate entry nursing programs. I know that UT Austin, Yale and UC San Fran have this program. Does anyone else know what other schools offer the alternate entry program for non BSN students to get their MSN?

Many state universities have them. What I did was get a guide to undergrad and grad nursing schools, and it has sections for various types of programs--RN to BS, RN to MSN, BA (other field) to MSN, etc. The book I have is a Peterson's guide with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, but there are tons of guides out there. Chances are you can find a program in just about any region you want.