New grad FNP- will taking this job pigeon hole me?

Specialties NP

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Hi,

I'm a new grad FNP living in a smaller college town with few NP jobs. My best offer is a position in pain medicine where I would work one day per week in an outpatient clinic and the remaining work days doing consults to help med-surg patients manage their pain while admitted. The job sounds interesting and the pay/benefits are appealing. But honestly, in the long run I would prefer a wider scope of practice, primary care or IM and no hospital work.

So, my question is, how easy is it for NP's to change specialties? Can I do this for a couple of years and eventually move into primary care, or will I be stuck in pain management forever?

On a related note, is it better to take ANY NP job as a new grad in order to make that "cross" into NP-hood, or should I continue to work as a RN until that perfect job comes along, even if it takes a year or more?

Relocating is not an option for me right now, although that possibility opens up in about 18 months.

Thanks for your thoughts!

how easy is it for np's to change specialties? can i do this for a couple of years and eventually move into primary care, or will i be stuck in pain management forever?

well, i have seen some great np's change over the years, womens health to ed, to cardiology, to family practice. i do not think you are destined to be stuck, but i do understand your concern and i think it is good tobe aware of

on a related note, is it better to take any np job as a new grad in order to make that "cross" into np-hood, or should i continue to work

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as a rn until that perfect job comes along, even if it takes a year or more?

i think its good to get experience as a np, i think any experience is better than none....for the most part. it sbetter to get out there and work. i think its tougher for those who have been np's for a yr....waiting for the perfect job and neve rworking as one

ymmv

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relocating is not an option for me right now, although that possibility opens up in about 18 months.

We were warned *specifically* as new grads to stay away from pain management. Turnover is high, liability is out the root and the lines blurring scope of practice are very much there. Unless you have a passion for pain management or had always had a vision of working in pain management, I would pass. I don't think it will 'pigeon hole' you, but it will tie you up when you could be out there looking for a job more in line with what you wanted to be doing.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm on the other side: my nursing background is almost totally level one trauma ER and my first APN job was in nephrology.

I say take what you can get.

We were warned *specifically* as new grads to stay away from pain management. Turnover is high, liability is out the root and the lines blurring scope of practice are very much there. Unless you have a passion for pain management or had always had a vision of working in pain management, I would pass. I don't think it will 'pigeon hole' you, but it will tie you up when you could be out there looking for a job more in line with what you wanted to be doing.

If you have the financial means to job search for the job you want full time. Do it. Especially while your in the "student finances" mentality.

I feel like I've been "pigeon holed".

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Ducati - may I ask what specialty you are in?

Ducati - may I ask what specialty you are in?

An anticoag practice.

I think you could learn a lot from this position. I'm a new FNP-started new position in October 09, and yes, I would stay away from "pain management centers- the make a buck big drugs to anyone" kind, but I don't think this position sounds like this. Patients in many different areas could benefit from a np with pain management experience - rhuematology for one, palliative care end of life for another, oncology, etc.And if you take a position you don't totally love.... All the while you would still be getting experience with medication knowledge, getting up to speed with pts in clinic setting and hospital setting both- great flexibility there I think. And you're getting known around the hospital as a NP who works hard and does a great job- this could only be beneficial to the next step.

Ps: I am working in a specialty practice and will be starting at an urgent care center next month part-time- just to keep up with the skills, pt populations etc...and though I am satisfied at mny current position for m any reasons, I understand I will be highly marketable after 1 year or so if I choose to leave :)

Take the job. Unless you have offers and lots of interviews take the job. It's next to impossible for new grad NPs to get jobs in this economy and you need to start working as an NP in any capacity. It does not sound like the drug dealing type of pain clinic, so I would take it. If you don't like it, keep looking. I would do it for your first year so then you have NP experience. It took me several months after graduation to get my first job which is only part time, so I am still looking for work. TAKE IT! This economy is horrible, if the pay is good, they are not drug dealers and you can learn then do it.

Did you take the job? How did it go?

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