NP as Hospitalist

Trauma Columnist · May 26, 2006

Daisy - this sounds very interesting! Let me know how things are going - this sounds like something I'd like to do.

DaisyRN, ACNP · May 26, 2006

I sure will!

CaseManager1947 · Jul 6, 2006

Hello-

I am an ARNP and work in Case Management in the hospital setting. We have two main hospitalist groups that come to this hospital. They have NP's working for them, but make sure that they will use you enough. The one's here only see the patients on rounds and work part time only.

Every place is different, so check into that aspect.

Morghan, MSN, ARNP

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2006

Daisy, just saw your post for the first time... I've been reading articles on NPs working with hospitalists and am interested in this direction myself although my program is FNP. I can still earn a post-graduate ACNP certificate if they insist on it. In any case, our hospital does not yet hire NPs for the hospitalist group yet my preceptor, a MD hospitalist, is all for this. I plan on discussing this further with him and see about putting together a proposal for next year as I also graduate in Dec 2007.

And back to the topic (sorry, I tend to diverge a lot!), what my preceptor feels is a good use of the NP is to utilize them in gathering H&Ps which takes away from their rounds. Having to drop everything and head to the ER is time-consuming for a task that can be delegated. Now in the articles I've been reading the NP hospitalist around the country also takes over patients 48 hours after their admission to the floor or when they are considered medically stable and may need lab orders or medication changes. Some hospitals even have clinics where the NP works and follows up with their patients after discharge. There's more, but I'm not feeling well today and the brain is fuzzy.

In any case, California seems to be a very progressive state when it comes to hospitalist NPs. It may be worth your while to take the time and contact some of the NPs there and ask a range of questions that may help you in making some decisions.

Good luck to you! Keep us posted and send me a pm if you want to talk more about this!

-Midget- · Jul 25, 2006

How long does is take to get a post-masters certificate? Yellow finch, do you think you will be able to function doing inpatient care as an FNP, or do you foresee having to go back to school?

lrchester · Jul 26, 2006

I can tell you in my hospital that there are 2 FNP's (just graduated) working in the intensive care unit for open heart patients and 1 acute care NP with NO ICU experience! They follow these pts POD 1 thru DC, and seem to be doing a good job. So, I think anything goes! When I scan the Michigan job market I have found that the job requirements are for a certified NP. They are not asking for a specific type as in Acute care NP, family NP, etc.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2006

How long does is take to get a post-masters certificate? Yellow finch, do you think you will be able to function doing inpatient care as an FNP, or do you foresee having to go back to school?

The ACNP certificates I've been looking at seem to be about 6-7 courses long and will depend on how many you take per semester for graduating. I honestly believe that I'd be able to utilize my FNP for inpatient care especially having acute care and ICU experience. If required, I would earn the ACNP certificate in order to satisfy additional needs. As lrchester, I too have seen FNPs working in specialty areas throughout the hospital, just not with the hospitalists. If they can be hired by cardiology and pulmonary groups, why not hospitalists? :)

Are you looking to do the same?

NeuroMedic · Jul 30, 2006

At Vanderbilt, we have NP's on almost every floor. BSN's handle most of the pt care; whilst MSN's, PhD's, and M.D.'s come together every Sunday after rounds to discuss patient care plans, efficacy of the current care plan, as well as the implementation of current research into the pt care plan.

BSN collected data as well as vocalized concerns are taken up with the

M.S.N's and P.h.D's and in turn are presented to the M.D's.

In my years as a B.S.N.; I absolutely loved having an M.S.N. available

on every shift.

-Midget- · Jul 30, 2006

yellow finch: years down the road - yes. I have to get my RN/BSN first. Thus far there are no ACNP programs in Oregon that I know of, and two FNP programs. One is in connection with the teaching hospital, where I am planning on going to school at, and one is at another University. I was only asking because working 12 or even 10 hours in the hospital, and ended up with 3-4 days off a week seems like a great schedule, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to get such a schedule as an FNP in some inpatient setting, or if an FNP would limit me solely to a clinic or office. I like the FNP since it encompasses all age ranges, and seems to have the most versatile. I am not sure where exactly I'd want to work as an NP, or even as a RN yet. Critical care seems very appealing, as well as Rehab, and I've recently had very positive experiences with LTC/Hospice nurses, due to my grandma being placed in a facility. And dialysis seems like an intriguing process. Although, I am unsure of how an NP would function in any of those roles, or if there is a place for one. What kind of patient population would you be working with?

NeuroMedic - What's your "typical" day like?

NeuroMedic · Jul 30, 2006

My typical day?

Well; it depends on what my schedule is that day; whether I am working

the I.C.U., going to class, working Critical Care Aeromedical Transport, or

computer programming.

Either way; I make sure to keep things interesting. I don't think I could

stand a private practice; things move too slow.

-Midget- · Jul 30, 2006

Oh wow...you do a lot of stuff. That's cool. :-) What are you in class for?