[SteveRN21]

Originally Posted by aviator411

Good thoughts; I'm going to investigate a bit further. It's a level 3, one of the first in the country, pretty well established. I know the NP's do these things to some degree but the herds of residents and fellows do more of it. The residents learn to do these things on the job; little reason why NP's can't do the same. RT does most of the vent management; even the residents don't handle that equipment much.

Yeah,

It does depend on the facility. My last job, it was a teaching hospital, but we did not have a fellowship/residency program for the NICU. So it was 4 neos and a couple of NNPs managing all the babies. The NNPs were very independent and performed most procedures, except for venous cutdowns, subclavians/broviacs. Other than that, once they were checked off, they did everything else. BUT, they had been trained specifically in neonates.

Here where I'm at now, the NNPs take a resident-like role along with house docs. Fellows and attendings tend to hog all the procedures. I imagine a FNP/PNP could learn to do it all here, but it's be tough at my former unit where you are expected to be autonomous.

[aviator411]

Steve,

Indeed, every place seems a bit different. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and observations; it's all very interesting. I've enjoyed reading and have benefitted much from your informative posts in recent years, hope you will keep it up.

When I learn more about the division of labor here I'll pass it along for all to share as well.

John

[Smitty08]

I thought the specialty creds were Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APMHNP), Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), or simply Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (APNP)....?

Whoops! You are correct. I was reading off my school certificate and not my ANCC. APMHNP it is. Wow!

[ILoveIceCream]

Hi, Smitty08.

I'm curious about how you combined the specialties of psych and family health. I have often thought dual certification as an FNP and PMHNP would be a powerful combo. Can you write about your practice settings and work experience, etc... Thanks!

[Smitty08]

Originally Posted by ILoveIceCream

Hi, Smitty08.

I'm curious about how you combined the specialties of psych and family health. I have often thought dual certification as an FNP and PMHNP would be a powerful combo. Can you write about your practice settings and work experience, etc... Thanks!

Hi ya
Well, I started out right out of Nsg School in Psych., although I did some work in Long Term Care too, I stayed in psych -loved it, every minute of it- but realized when I started my MSN that there was so much cross-over symptomatology , psych/somatic, that I decided to do both FNP and Psych. Nurse practitioner. I consider myself really a psych. practitioner, and thats what I do -day to day- but it sure was interesting learning everything else. The extra placements (3) were a little weary-making, however, I was younger at the time and I wouldn't do it any differently.
I have a great perspective now and more job options than I know what to do with! Now I am looking at a DNP program, would like to practice/teach as a nice retirement job, and it should look good that I have both credentials. Hope that answers your question, but if not let me know - and best of luck!! Smitty