NP's in the hospital

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 22, 2008

Hi I currently work in a critical care unit as well as per diem in a cardiology office. I have noticed that I like the hospital much better and I think I would like to specialize eventually. It seems by reading many other posts ACNP would be a better choice to work in a hospital setting. What types of skills do NP's have? Do they put in lines and chest tubes? We don't have many NP's in the hospital I work in since it is a teaching hospital. Thanks!
Jil:D

Utilization of NP's in hospital settings vary from hospital to hospital as well as from region to region. In the same manner, what NP's are credentialled to do in one institution doesn't always apply in another facility. I can tell you that the teaching hospital I am employed in hires NP's in many departments despite the fact that a number of residencies and fellowships for physician training are offered. Also, I am credentialled and have been inserting central lines (triple lumen caths, Quinton caths, Cordis, Swan-Ganz), arterial lines, and chest tubes and thoracentesis caths as a NP in critical care. However, other hospitals in the same metro area where I practice do not let their NP's do as much although I have observed an increase in NP hiring among hospitals in the area.

A few years ago when I was training to be an ACNP, many professors were saying that there will be a demand for ACNP's as many hospitals with residency programs were facing a requirement to limit resident work hours to less than 80 hours a week. I have actually seen the impact of this in the hospital where I work and in other hospitals in the area. Residents at our hospital strictly log the hours they work and many times one resident is not enough to cover a specific service especially a high acuity one such as critical care. Attending physicians also realize how keeping a group of NP's (or PA's) in a specific specialty area can improve consistency in care practices and have offered an opportunity for residents to have a permanent resource person in the units especially when the resident is new.

But before you set your mind on a career path, I advice you to research the job opportunities available for NP's in you area first. This is important if you are planning to stay in your geographical area and not relocate to regions where your ideal job is located in.

JDCitizen · Jun 29, 2008

Utilization of NP's in hospital settings vary from hospital to hospital as well as from region to region. In the same manner, what NP's are credentialled to do in one institution doesn't always apply in another facility. I can tell you that the teaching hospital I am employed in hires NP's in many departments despite the fact that a number of residencies and fellowships for physician training are offered. Also, I am credentialled and have been inserting central lines (triple lumen caths, Quinton caths, Cordis, Swan-Ganz), arterial lines, and chest tubes and thoracentesis caths as a NP in critical care. However, other hospitals in the same metro area where I practice do not let their NP's do as much although I have observed an increase in NP hiring among hospitals in the area.
A few years ago when I was training to be an ACNP, many professors were saying that there will be a demand for ACNP's as many hospitals with residency programs were facing a requirement to limit resident work hours to less than 80 hours a week. I have actually seen the impact of this in the hospital where I work and in other hospitals in the area. Residents at our hospital strictly log the hours they work and many times one resident is not enough to cover a specific service especially a high acuity one such as critical care. Attending physicians also realize how keeping a group of NP's (or PA's) in a specific specialty area can improve consistency in care practices and have offered an opportunity for residents to have a permanent resource person in the units especially when the resident is new.
But before you set your mind on a career path, I advice you to research the job opportunities available for NP's in you area first. This is important if you are planning to stay in your geographical area and not relocate to regions where your ideal job is located in.

I agree. Practice settings vary widely from hospital to hospital and even service to service in the same hospital. Add the difference in laws from state to state you get another layer of restrictions/requirements.

....before you set your mind on a career path, I advice you to research the job opportunities available for NP's in you area first. This is important if you are planning to stay in your geographical area and not relocate to regions where your ideal job is located in.

Very good advice! Also: Talk to the HR folks at the hospitals, talk to the doctors, contact your board of nursing, search out actively practicing NPs.