Soon to be nursing major questions!

Charliesch
Wed, 30 May 2018 02:43:55 +0000

While some Nurse Practitioner programs say you can be admitted without work experience, I would imagine it is rare. One program released data that successful applicants have an average of 10 years of work experience. The academic program will be easier to complete if you have experience. Also, you will probably need to save up money during your work years to be able to afford to become a NP. The feds offer grad school loans, but I still would save money. I imagine you can take many classes part time while working, if there is a program near where you live. In any case, assume you will be working as a RN, and NP is a longer term goal.

It is common for nursing students to work as a nursing assistant between the 3rd and 4th years. Many hospitals treat students at that level as being able to do CNP work, without having to get the certification. My daughter also worked a few hours a month as a nursing assistant during the school year during her 4th year, which was particularly valuable during breaks. She said she learned a great deal from that time in the hospital.

A LPN is a different level, which involves a 2 year degree.

In most parts of the country, RNs do not have trouble getting a job right out of college. It is nice to get a job where you had done some clinicals, because you have a better idea what to expect, and because the hospital staff will get to know you. Different hospitals vary in how they treat their nurses. However, it is not necessary to be hired by a hospital where you did clinicals - most of my daughter’s classmates did not…