Are NP's used in the hospital

[Moriah]

Hello,

I was just wondering if NP's are used in the hospital setting often. For example ICU, ER, OR or any other specialty.

Thanks,

Moriah :)

[suzanne4, RN]

yes, yes, yes.

[Moriah]

Is their role in these settings the same as RN? What do they do as apposed to what an RN would do? Is the pay higher.

[Tony35NYC]

No. They're role is not the same as the unit nurse, at least not where I've worked. The NPs function more like the physicians do...they do assessments, diagnose, write orders, etc. Where I've worked NPs work in the regular ER, trauma ER, the pediatric ER, and in pretty much all the specialty units. They also do rounds for the physicians that they work with.

Whether or not NPs make more money depends. In many metro areas an NPs make between $65k and $85k. Some floor nurses earn more than this, especially travellers and people who work a lot of overtime.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

yes. I worked in a tertiary hospital in a large city that employed several NP's in various departments. It was a teaching hospital, if that makes a difference. Now I live in a smaller town (75,000). NP's are in the NICU and ED only. I think they would be GREAT in any critical care setting.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm a new RN now( I have my BSN), but that is my long-term goal: to be an NP in a hospital. I want to work as an RN for one year first, & then think about starting to go for my MSN . I'm absolutely fascinated with the NP role in an adult acute care setting! :)

-Christine

[suzanne4, RN]

NPs do not function as RNs, but as independent practitioners. There is already quite a bit of information already on this site, just do a search. Everything is already there.

[prmenrs, RN]

Neonatal NP's practice in the hospital setting. They take a share of the pt. load for which they take full responsibility, including presenting the case to the attending during rounds. In the setting with which I'm familiar, they also take some teaching responsibility for 1st year residents, med students, etc. They go to hi-risk deliveries, and coordinate the rescus team (RN, RRT). In some hospitals, they take night call and run transports. It is a LOT of responsibility, and they are compensated appropriately for it. (In other words, they make more $$ than staff nurses, but less than MDs. Well, maybe not the residents.)

[ECMOismygame]

.............