Need some advice, please!

[2ndChance]

I am planning to go part-time to FNP school and will be working part-time in the hospital at the same time. I have ICU experience, but have no desire to do the advanced skills that ACNPs do. I can much more easily picture myself working in a cardiology office, or something like that.

Here is my question; I will be returning to patient care (I am at a 'desk job' right now) hopefully this summer. Do you all think it would be beneficial to work in the ICU if I hope to work in cardiology, or should I not focus on critical care anymore, and work in more of a cardio step-down type atmosphere?

Thanks so much.

[yellow finch, BSN, RN]

If you are attending a FNP program, ICU experience isn't really all that necessary. You may even do better working in a family practice environment. After all, most FNP programs prepare you to work in family practice as opposed to specialty areas such as cardiology. Be sure to check with your BON in case you feel the draw to a specialization... you have to be certain that you won't be working outside of your scope of practice with your mid-level certification.