Any GNP's with some insight??

Specialties NP

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Specializes in Oncology.

Is there anyone out there who is a GNP? Are you happy with your choice to become a GNP or do you think it would have been better to do ANP or FNP?

I have been a nurse for a couple of years. Nursing is my second degree, my first was in social work. I was a licensed social worker for 13 years and worked with the geriatric population for 12 of those years. There is no doubt that my heart lies with the elderly and that is where I want to spend my nursing career. My plan is to attend a GNP program with a palliative care minor. However, everyone that I talk to tells me to become a FNP because it is more marketable...... or at the very least ANP for more flexibility.

Here are my thoughts..... I KNOW i do not want to work with pediatrics EVER. I feel it would be a waste of time to do clinicals in an area where I have no interest. It seems it would be better to spend as much time as possile in clinicals that are related to where I hope to work.

Anyone have any thoughts about this? I don't want to put myself in a situation where I can't get a job after I graduate because I chose the wrong program.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am not a GNP but have a friend who is and she has not been able to find a job for 3 years! She teaches but is not working as an NP.

In this day and age, with the slow economy, yourr best chance for a job after school is to do the broadest scope of practice that you can. Just because you say NOW you would never consider peds, it might change if you can't get a GNP job.

I vote either ANP or better yet, FNP.

Take this from someone who did an adult health CNS who would NEVER EVER do peds. Well, guess what? I'm now completing a peds CNS because I need to see kids as part of my job.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

It is area dependent regarding jobs. And, I agree with traumaRUS. I started out as OB-GYN NP and later had to add post-grad certificate as FNP in order to get the jobs in and around my area. And, I do not like dealing with Peds either.

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

The long term aspect of your career are important. I would also vote for FNP. If you really wanted to become a GNP, I would at some point add FNP post masters certificate. I'm doing FNP and I want to be attractive to potential employers. I don't mind kids .....prefer adolescents though.

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, MR/DD.

I would say FNP also. I am a Hospice nurse and want to stay with hospice after I receive my DNP. In doing research to determine what will benefit me now and in the long term I find the FNP is what makes you more marketable and you will still be able to work with the population you want. Do you want to work in hospice, nursing home or on a palliative care team in a hospital?

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Specializes in Oncology.

I don't want to work on a hospital hospice team. My preference would be to work in nursing homes, inpatient hospice or in-home hospice. I am doing prn work at an inpatient hospice and I love it!

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, MR/DD.

I work for a hospice company we see pt. in home and in nursing home facilities. I have heard for my company there is a push to use NPs in hospice. The FNP would allow you to see pt across the lifespan. I have worked for two different hospice companies, one non profit and one for profit. The majority of pt were adults but have had some children. I do not wish to work primarily with peds ( very hard in hospice) but realize that I may need to in hospice, the company I work for now has not have any peds pt but they may see them in the future so would perfer a NP with a broad scope.

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

I think its also important to know the demands of the area in which you live. I always think its better to prepare yourself to have more options. If the doors of where you are working now closes, would you be able to find a job right away??? As a FNP, you can always learn the lifespan but then focus and pick your population/area of interest.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I live and work in Dallas, Tx. I have lived in Texas most of my life, and am ready to get the heck out!!!! Nothing against my state.... just ready for a change and adventure. So.... I am not looking to practice in any particular state. I am free to go wherever the wind blows. It is hard to tell in this economy if there abundant jobs for any speciality. I can see that there are more jobs for FNPs when I do a search. But isn't the competition for FNP positions greater? There are postings for GNPs, just fewer.

I can see everyone's point....

FNP = can work with any population. If I can't get a job working only with the geriatric population I can always take a job working with the entire lifespan.

GNP = Can only with with the geriatric population and if I can't find a job.... too bad for me.

I have alot to think about.

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