Planning Clinical Experiences: ACNPs

core0 · Apr 2, 2007

Hey there! I'm in an ACNP program and beginning to think about where I want to do my "specialty" rotations in the fall. First semester is internal medicine office (which I am finishing up now), summer I'll be with a hospitalist group I may end up working for, and then for the fall, we will have two separate clinical experiences. This is where I'm trying to decide what I should do...
Looking back on your education and employment as an ACNP, what do you think would have benefitted you the most to have spent more time with in school? Nephrology? Neuro? Cardio?
I'm leaning toward the hospitalist role, which is generic... lots of variety. I could continue hospitalist rotations in the fall if I wanted. I've considered doing a Neuro/Trauma rotation for skills acquisition, but not sure about the last semester.
What do ya'll think?

If you are considering working for a hospitalist group, pulmonary and cardiac are going to be a big part of your practice. Endocrine is also helpful. Consider an intensivist rotation or pulmonary/CC to get vent management experience. Also if you think that you are going to get a job with a group talk to them and see what they think will help.

David Carpenter, PA-C

DaisyRN, ACNP · Apr 2, 2007

Good idea with the vent management... I come from an ER background, and due to our wonderfully attentive RT dept, I dont have a lot of vent experience. Ive gotten a lot of diabetic education with my preceptor this semester. She sees all of the diabetics for the clinic of 11 doctors, so I've learned a great deal from her.

Thank you!

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Apr 2, 2007

I agree with the advice of pursuing pulmonary and cardiac rotations. I am an ACNP graduate myself. Many of my classmates ended up working in cardiology and some of them who didn't do a cardiology rotation felt that it would have helped their role transition if they had done one during school. Also, if you still have room for another rotation, try to see if you can avail of an urgent care or adult ER rotation. Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is also a good one and I did one as well. However, as a student, it was harder to get to do procedures. The preceptors I had were very cautious about letting students do stuff. In addition, there was an ICU intern who was rotating with me so he got to do most of the procedures.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Apr 3, 2007

I agree with the advice of pursuing pulmonary and cardiac rotations. I am an ACNP graduate myself. Many of my classmates ended up working in cardiology and some of them who didn't do a cardiology rotation felt that it would have helped their role transition if they had done one during school. Also, if you still have room for another rotation, try to see if you can avail of an urgent care or adult ER rotation. Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is also a good one and I did one as well. However, as a student, it was harder to get to do procedures. The preceptors I had were very cautious about letting students do stuff. In addition, there was an ICU intern who was rotating with me so he got to do most of the procedures.

That does make a difference... and that is part of the reason I chose a NON-teaching hospital for my summer clinicals. I didn't want to compete with residents/interns. I am 100% comfy with urgent care/ER as that is where I have spent nearly ALL of my RN life. I understand it would be different in that varied role, but I have a pretty good expectation of what that would entail and doubt I will be in the ER upon graduation. As for skills, though... there is a hospital in Houston that has a Neuro/Trauma unit with lots of NPs that ENCOURAGE NP students to acquire the skills they need on their unit... Im thinking about doing that for the first fall clinical.... just need something for the second one. Maybe an intensivist would be a good idea since I lack ICU experience, too.