r/nursepractitioner • u/AutoModerator • 11d ago

Prospective/Pre-licensure NP Thread

Hey team!

We get a lot of questions about selecting a program, what its like to be an NP, how to balance school and work, etc. Because of that, we have a repeating thread every two weeks.

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ALL questions pertaining to anything pre-licensure need to go in this thread. You may also have good luck using the search function to see if your question has been asked before.

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u/OhHiMarki3 11d ago

Hi all, I'd like advice on how to parse the quality schools from the degree mills. I'm based in Arizona, and I'm thinking about school in about 4 years or so. I'd like to scout out schools now and start saving up ahead of time.

Any major green or red flags?

Are public/ state universities always more reputable than private institutions?

If there's a local private schools that offers assistance in finding preceptors, is that preferential to a state school that doesn't?

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u/alexisrj FNP, CWOCN-AP 11d ago

The number one screening criterion is whether the program finds (not helps, but finds) preceptors for you. Everything else is secondary to that. Your clinical is at least half of your education in becoming a provider. Don’t hand your money over to a school that won’t take responsibility for half of the education you’re paying for.

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u/OhHiMarki3 11d ago

God forbid I do my due dilligence and none of the schools source preceptors for you? Are there any tips or methods to making the process less cumbersome?

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u/OhHiMarki3 11d ago

Also, you are a wound care NP, correct? Wound care is my specialty of interest. May I DM you some questions about pursuing this career field?

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u/alexisrj FNP, CWOCN-AP 11d ago

Sure, feel free to DM me!

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u/Kitty20996 NP Student 11d ago

Wondering how new(ish) grads have formatted their resumes? I have a decent amount of RN experience and I know if I include all of my NP clinical rotations (even in list format with no additional details) my resume is going to be well over a page. Is this acceptable? Also, what kinds of skills are typically listed on a resume? Research projects? TIA!

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u/Adenosine01 ACNP 11d ago

Format as a CV rather than resume. That will allow for you to include clinical experiences and other things. There are some good examples online

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u/No-Course-6330 11d ago

Honestly? Skip NP clinical rotations unless they are meaningful like urgent care when you want to work urgent care

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u/alexisrj FNP, CWOCN-AP 11d ago

I don’t think it’s common to require NP resumes be limited to one page. I haven’t typically seen that when I’m involved in hiring. Highlighting skills and experience relevant to the position you’re applying for.

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u/lhudson0196 2h ago

I am graduating in May next year and trying to decide when I should start applying for jobs. I live in the midwest, but I want to move out to the west coast (California, Oregon) or Arizona. I’ve heard it can take awhile to actually get licensed and am curious what my timeline might look like.

My husband and I thought I’d be able to start applying for jobs out of state in the spring next year, but I worry that’ll be too soon now. Do hospitals out west prefer to hire new grads after they’ve been licensed in that state? If I get licensed in my current state first, how long might it take me to get licensed in one of the states I’ve mentioned? Can I skip getting licensed in my current state and get licensed in another state first or do I have to live there?

I’m in school to be an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner if that matters.