New RN to....?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been a nurse for 8 months now and am trying to decide where to go from here. I have been working on an OB floor that gets med-surg overflow. I know I want to go back to school and get my DNP but can't decide if I want to pursue it as a neonatal practitioner or a nurse anesthetist. I absolutely love caring for the babies but also loved surgeries, and being part of keeping people alive and safe during them would seem to be very rewarding. I'm struggling on leaving my position at the end of the year to either a CVICU, STICU, or NICU to get the experience I would need to pursue my DNP.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Case Management, Clinic, Psychiatry.

adults vs peds is very different. keep on trying new things and dont rush the DNP until you know where you want to specialize

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Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

You're still so new- a novice nurse. What's the rush?

You'll have a DNP without a lot of real life nursing experience to back it up.

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Yes, I'm not planning to start the DNP anytime soon. That is just my end goal. I want to get the experience in the field that will be the most beneficial for my DNP. You can't get into a DNP program without at least two years of experience.

I was hoping after 5 years I would start applying to the DNP programs that would give me 4 years experience in the field I'd decide to go. Does that sound to soon?

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Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

My advice: Do what feels right for you.

I would encourage every and any nurse to persue an advanced degree.

Just remember that your hands on experience at the bedside is worth it's weight in GOLD. Nothing can replace it.

Working experience, together with that terminal degree will make you a well-rounded, experienced, and accomplished practitioner.

Best of luck to you my dear!

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