Med Surg vs OB? Want to be an FNP

[trumpetlove17]

I'm a new grad nurse in an acute care float pool. I know it's really hard in the beginning and it's only been a few months, but I'm really having a love/hate relationship. I love how much I'm learning and seeing the variety and I really enjoy taking care of people. But I HATE that I have to run around like a chicken w/ no head; I hate that I'm just keeping people alive but that it's already "too late", ie, people are already so sick at this point. I feel like my job is just doing a whole bunch of tasks and also my back is already starting to kill me. I can't imagine doing this long-term.

I've always wanted to be a Family NP because I think it fits my personality better and I'll get to do more on the preventative side, but right now at my age (35), I'm focused on family planning (ie, getting pregnant). I know becoming an FNP will take time because I need RN experience and will have to go back to school.

My question is this, should I move to another unit? There's an opportunity to do L&D at my hospital in August. At that point I will have about 6-7 months of med surg under my belt. Am I doing myself a disservice by not having more med surg experience?

L&D isn't my first passion per se, but I have always found it interesting. I know it's not going to be easy compared to med surg, but I have heard good things about the unit. Any advice? Thoughts? Thank you in advance!!

[quazar]

Unless you want to become a Women's Health NP, CNM, or a FNP that works in an OB/GYN practice, I would personally stick with med surg. I say this as an L&D nurse. L&D is very highly specialized, and does not cover the broad scope of practice you will need to be a good FNP. It is a good basis if women's health is your final destination, but it doesn't appear that is the case here.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Agree 100% with the above post. Unless women's health is your interest, this is not a good move to be a family NP.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am currently in a FNP program (not a diploma-mill like thing) and can attest that those of my classmates who did/do L&D or any other highly specialized area like NICU, are struggling way more than the rest of us. Unless you want to go to Women's health after you are done (which is perfectly fine after FNP), do at least some med-surg, preferably general floor and not a highly specialized unit. Other areas which give excellent preparation for FNP program are ER and, believe me or not, acute rehab. Basically, the wider your patients' pathology base and the more assessments you have to do, the better off you'll be.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Med-surg is perhaps one of the best specialties in preparing for FNP school, followed by adult ICU and ER. Going to OB would be a huge mistake.

I say this as both a med-surg and a NICU nurse. I see NICU nurses going back to schooland they are struggling