FNPs - where do you work?

[adpiRN]

I'm thinking about going for an FNP degree at some point and I'm just curious where FNPs are working.

Please describe your job (and salary if you feel comfortable).

I'm not sure yet what I'm interested in doing with the degree but maybe a private practice, school nurse (some require master's degrees and some don't) or teaching nursing students in a university.

Do any FNPs work in the hospital?

Also, I've always wanted to work in the NICU and may try to do it someday. If I'm already an FNP would it be possible for me to work in a NICU as an RN? Would they be reluctant to hire me? Would there be any advantage of having a master's degree and working as an RN (more money?)

I know where I work, some nurses went on become NPs, didn't like their jobs and returned to work as RNs. But they said it was a bit of a struggle to convince managers to hire (or rehire) them because they assumed that with a master's degree they'd only stay a little while until they found a better NP job. Interesting.

[travelking66]

If you are thinking of working as a NP in NICU, then you need to get the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Degree. Just having a NP will not allow you to work in any setting. Having a NP is not a negative to finding a bedside job. You just need to express your need and willingness that you wanted to advance your education and this was the track you felt most inclined to follow. Everyone is looking for more educated nurses and this is a great opportunity in my humble opinion.

[Trauma NP/PA]

I agreed with travelking66. If you like NICU, then get a neonatal NP. But to answer half of you question, you can work in anything with a FNP. Since it's peds to adults... actually, I'm not too sure about geriatric. Anyhow, I'm a FNP and I work in Trauma. Anything is possible.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

The OP stated she would be interested in working in the NICU as a staff RN, not as a nurse practitioner.

Honestly if I was the OP I might consider putting a NP on hold until I could figure out what area of nursing I was interested in long term.