New Master's NP, cannot find job...should I go for my DNP

ROLO · Nov 7, 2013

What do you mean by “difficult?” I think I would want to explore the origin of this difficulty. The DNP sounds great. I am an ACNP with an MSN, and I hope to be working on my DNP within the next year, but I wonder if your getting your DNP is going to solve this problem.

mahaandai · Nov 7, 2013

wildcatarnp- Completing DNP program would be a good idea if you have a full scholarship/funding provided by the institution. Do not take any loans since it might add your debt. Regarding your original question about FNP not having a job- I thought you mentioned in your previous post that you wanted to go into psych NP program, and earlier you mentioned you were not happy working in Derm clinic. Please make up your mind what you want to do. Please do not post any confusing headlines because you are not able to make a decision.

Where are allnurses moderators?

elkpark · Nov 7, 2013

Is your problem that, in your area, people with DNPs are getting jobs but those with MSNs aren't? Is getting a DNP going to significantly change anything, or just postpone job-hunting? I agree with the recommendation that you not take on any additional student loans to fund a DNP (if you already have outstanding student loans from previous schooling), in case you end up in the same situation after you complete a DNP (unable to find a job).

I eecall your previous posts, too -- I thought you had a job (just one that you didn't particularly like)??

Trauma Columnist · Nov 7, 2013

Well I'm one of the mods and we try to respect others situations. There is nothing wrong with re-wording posts in order to present amp other viewpoint.

Back to the OP: do you have derm experience as an APN? If so, I would cont to network with other APNs in your area via conferences, meetings, etc.

If you have NO experience as an APN, then getting a DNP won't solve the issue...

prairienp · Nov 16, 2013

Goingfor your DNP will help if you select a program that will allow you tospecialize in an area. For example if derm is where you want to work, if youwere to focus on dermatology during your DNP completion program you would bemore marketable. Having an additional 500 hours of focus in Derm will help you stand out over other applicants without the dermatology experience.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Nov 16, 2013

I don't know the back story with regard to the derm vs psych issue, but just from what I sumise here, in your shoes, no I would not get a DNP. The ideal DNP candidate already knows their area of research interest and where they want to concentrate the rest of their career. DNP education is not an opportunity to get a post-masters style certificate in a new area of advanced practice nursing(i.e. an adult NP that wants to expand to include family practice, etc). It is an opportunity to hone research interests and chose an area in which you want to translate existing research into practice in a new evidence based project, usually consisting of about 400-500 study hours in addition to the course work. It would be a shame to spend 400+ hours devoted to something you didn't have an abiding interest in and couldn't continue to push forward through the rest of your career. Typically students already know what it is they want to pursue when they begin, at least vaguely. DNP eduction isn't a good way to just escape the job hunt. And unfortunately, there is not yet a lot of financial support for it at many institutions so it would be a really expensive dodge.

I'm sorry your job hunt has been frustrating. I hope it gets better, and if you do decide DNP education is for you after all I"m happy to anser more questions about that!

wildcatarnp · Nov 19, 2013

First, I want to say thank you for those who have been helpful in their posting. I have been trying to avoid posting my complete backstory as I prefer not to have current employer seeing it. As we are learning, what you post on the internet can harm you in your future.

Mahanndai- Not everyone knows their exact specialty of work as an ARNP or even as an RN. This is one of the bonuses of the nursing profession. I have my FNP, but that does not mean I HAVE to choose primary care. I have been an RN for 10 years, having worked from Neuro ICU to Cardiac Cath. I admit, I am not sure if I should focus on primary care or go into a specialty. When I started looking for a position a year ago, the only position I found, interviewed, and hired for was in Dermatology.

However, there has been conflict (I will leave it at that) with the position. I enjoy dermatology, but the working conditions have reached a "hostile" level. I go home emotionally wrecked and it is physically taking a toll. In deciding whether to leave this position or not, I posted a few questions here on all nurses.com. One of my former BSN peers is a Psych NP. She had offered to "train me" so I could work with her in her office. After reading posted comments, I determined that Psych NP is not the ideal position for me. I interviewed for a Wound NP (being that it deals with derm) and posted a question here about it. I have been looking for NP positions posted on career web sites/hospitals and all are specialized areas. What I lack right now is "experience". All the positions are seeking a NP who have 2-5 years experience. I am not in the luxury in being able to pick and wait for the ideal position since I have to work to live.

I did connect with local midlevels at a local meeting and discussed employment. I have even connected with the Derm Nurses Association and other NPs who work in derm to receive their advice. All are telling me to leave the position. It is difficult when the community is very small. Since the community is small, that means, there are no positions in derm open.

I hope this clarifies things. Thank you BlueDevil, DNP for the advice. It really helped clarify if the DNP route is what I need to seek now. I agree, I need to wait until I know what area makes my heart sing before focusing on a DNP.

cruisin_woodward · Nov 27, 2013

I went into the DNP program as a BSN. I knew that I liked critical care and OR. I had NO idea what I wanted to do in regard to my clinical inquiry project, and as I started with one area (family centered care), it switched to anxiety in mechanically ventilated patients, to managing ICU psychosis, and finally ended up with enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients (graduating 12/10, yay!) My program was 4 years though, because I only had my BSN, so I had the luxury of changing my topic, with time to work on it. I think most of my class had a more clear cut idea of what they wanted to do though. You do need to be careful about crossing boundaries in the specialty areas (there is a specific degree for psych NPs, and since your education didn't focus on psych, I'm not sure that would have been wise, but I don't really know what FNP education covers, as I am in an ACNP program, so please forgive me if I am wrong). Any way, if you love derm, then you do have an area that you are interested in. Now you have to ask yourself if there is something about derm that you think should be done better, or differently. If you really want to do the DNP, start looking into what research is out there. There is a lot about the DNP that people do not fully understand, but that is sort of beyond this thread.

In terms of helping you find a job, I don't know that it would help you. It is a new degree that people do not know much about, and there is still a lot of unnecessary rhetoric about it. Most of it is based on ignorance about the purpose of the degree and the rigor of the program. I guess that if you want to pursue your DNP, then go for it. But do it because it is something you desire to do, not because of potential job prospects. You will find that most employers will take experience over a degree. With that being said, you now have some experience in your field of choice even if it has been short. If it is taking that much of a toll on you...it's probably not worth it. Sorry that you are so miserable. We spend too much time at work to have it affect your health . Good luck!

scrambled dna · Dec 28, 2013

Hi to you all

I am just finishing the RN-BSN and applied for a MS FNP. I also took a look at the DNP program but the additional time and money convinced me to stay at the master level for now. (1) Do the MS FNP have more difficulty to find a job versus DNP? Are there many DNP there anyway? These programs have not been "on the market" for that long. (2) The rumor is that a MS in psych is more employable and it offers a less centralized (free agent) schedule;any truth to that? Please advice.