Career (Prep) Advice

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

I have been a RN for nearly eight years and I have varied experience, including orthopedics and urology, research, health insurance, and travel. I possess a BSN and MPH (infectious diseases and microbiology). My guiding light has always been to help people in the moment. Therefore, I am seriously considering pursuing the NP next fall. My primary interest is infectious diseases. Can anyone speak to the demand for NPs in infectious diseases? I will continue to work as a seasonal nurse this year in Florida, but I would like to gain some additional experience/skills related to infectious diseases. I have an opportunity to "intern" either in a physician-led HIV/AIDS clinic, an epidemiology division of a county health department, or possibly within my facility's infection control department. In your opinion, which of these opportunities would best prepare me for my goal of being a NP in ID? Thank you for your advice!

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

Anyone? Anything?

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

?????

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Specializes in Emergency.

OP - Sorry, all I know is I've met two NPs in ID, and sat in a presentation from a NP in ID. I don't have any more information than that.

As for which opportunity would be best, I would suggest you weigh two factors:

1) What experience you may gain.

2) What connections you may make in ID.

The more experience you gain and the more connections you make the more likely you are to get job offers in the future. I would personally put the contacts as a higher priority, but that's just me.

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There should be plenty of NP opportunities in ID, possibly more inpatient than outpatient but it probably depends on where you live. All of those clinical sites would be great; if possible I would split time between two or three. If you can only do one, the HIV clinic. A county TB or STD clinic or even a wound care placement could also be helpful.

FYI the posting on the APRN boards is slooooow. There aren't many of us here!

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

Thank you for your input. I will be working 3 12-hour shifts. So, I only have time for one opportunity. I am focused on am experience that will provide me with additional skills. I am also concerned about the number of NP positions available in infectious diseases. I have ZERO interest in being a "jack of all trades" NP. I really want to focus on infectious diseases.

This makes me feel that the epidemiology internship will allow me to diversify my skill set and prepare me to be a NP in a research setting.

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