How do you get into a specialty?

[Dennis88]

I'm interested in becoming an NP, but I'm a bit confused about how you get into specialties. I've seen NPs working in specialties like GI, urology, derm, etc, but I haven't seen any programs that are for these specialties. Do you become a FNP and then find a dr. willing to hire you? And once you are in a specialty, are you locked into that or can you change to something else if you can find a dr. willing to hire you?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm an adult health CNS who works full time in a nephrology practice and prn in the ER. I had absolutely no nephrology experience when I was hired. What they liked about me was my ER nursing background - the assessment skills and ability to tell when a patient was "sick." I received a solid 4 month orientation which consisted of lectures 1 on 1 with some of our physicians as well as shadowing one of the other mid-levels.

I have just recently accepted a prn position in small ER and I got this job because of my ER experience as a nurse.

I have been offered several other jobs since I graduated (May 06) and my lack of experience in those areas was never questioned. They always looked for something else like enthusiasm, great assessment skills, etc..

Good luck.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I think it depends on your area, among other factors. I know some specialty NP positions require prior experience in the area, but others don't. I think it depends on how many NPs you are competing with for jobs...this has happened to me recently..being passed over for another NP with Cardiology NP experience (versus me, a new grad NP with only Cardiology RN experience). However, I have no derm experience, yet a dermatologist was willing to hire me on the spot..so it depends.

[VivaRN]

I work in HIV and got my job through networking and NP clinicals, though I had some RN experience. Is there one specialty in particular you are interested in? There's no reason why you can't start making making yourself competitive while in school. Specialty professional organizations often have CME, conferences, local chapters, and all kinds of things you can use to expand your knowledge base. Likewise, any specialty job should provide a solid orientation.

For the record, I was hired by an NP I got to know through our specialty nursing organization. It's not always about finding an MD

[Dennis88]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like the gist of it is you just need to find someone (a doctor, NP, practice, etc.) that is willing to hire you, you don't to become certified or do a residency or something.

[enoRN]

I'm an adult health CNS who works full time in a nephrology practice and prn in the ER. I had absolutely no nephrology experience when I was hired. What they liked about me was my ER nursing background - the assessment skills and ability to tell when a patient was "sick." I received a solid 4 month orientation which consisted of lectures 1 on 1 with some of our physicians as well as shadowing one of the other mid-levels.

I have just recently accepted a prn position in small ER and I got this job because of my ER experience as a nurse.

I have been offered several other jobs since I graduated (May 06) and my lack of experience in those areas was never questioned. They always looked for something else like enthusiasm, great assessment skills, etc..

Good luck.

How do you get good assessment skills, its something iv been longing for.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I gained experience with assessment skills by working in a level one trauma center for 10 years. I also had 2 years of ICU exp prior to that. However, it doesn't take ER or ICU exp - I think a few years of any type of nursing gives you experience doing assessments.

[sunray12]

The programs I'm looking at arrange clinicals based on your interests. Some also offer post grad "residencies" or fellowships in different specialty areas.