[NurseKay2006]

Hello I have been a watcher of this forum for some time. I am currently working in a level III NICU and I have one year experience. I have been going between doing NNP and PNP. However, since working in the NICU I realized that I would not want to be a nurse practitioner in the hospital setting. So I decided on Pediatric Nurse practitioner but my friend who is doing FNP told me that it would be more marketable to do FNP. Is this true? When I look on line I see there are lots of opening for PNP up north but I plan on practicing in Louisiana. Sorry to get off subject but back to my main question can I get into FNP with only NICU experience (I have worked with adults in the past but not for a full year).

[bayouchick02]

I also work in a Level 3 NICU, in almost the exact same dilemma as u. My thing is that I am leaning more towards PNP and only that. I have worked with adults, but I feel like i want to stick with children and babies and children and babies only. I know of a few schools that would accept NICU experience for the PNP program so the same should follow for the FNP program as well. If I were u, though, I would double check with the school u are looking to attend.

[NurseKay2006]

Thanks for your response. Like you I have worked with adults before and have no intentions on ever going back. I guess a part of me wants to do FNP because I know its instant job security but I know my heart would not be in it.

I really love working with my babies thats one thing I am sure of but I just dont want to be stuck in the hospital as NNP (Is this why you didnt decide to do NNP?). I guess PNP would be the best fit for me because I have the best of both worlds babies, kids, and no adults and most of all NO HOSPITAL. lol

I have found quite a few PNP programs that will take NICU experience and some dont even require previous nursing experience. I also found two FNP programs that will take me as well (I will just apply to these as back up plans.)

[Hopefull2009]

If it helps with your decision (because this is a topic I have researched alot), all of them are equally marketable.

There is a critical shortage of NNP's right now. For several reasons. You have to have NICU experience before you can apply to an NNP program, and have you noticed how few programs there are out there?

That also, contributes to the shortage.

PNP and FNP programs (mostly) do not require anything more than a BSN...in other words, once you have your BSN, you can just keep moving through until you get your advanced degree.

[NurseKay2006]

Thank you this does help a lot. Now I know that I can't go wrong either way.