Imastudent
If you want to work in med/surg, your best bet is to try to get a job with a physician's practice who are looking for an NP to do hospital rounds. You could also try to get a job as a hospital-based NP. In general, specialty practices tend to pay higher salaries vs hospitals that hire NP's (there's always exceptions, though). I truthfully couldn't tell you if a surgical practice pays higher than a medical practice--I would guess every geographic area is different. Either way, if there is a school near you that offers an acute care program, this would be your best bet if you want to work with hospital inpatients.
If you want to work in the ER, from what I've heard, it's better to go through a family nurse practitioner program (FNP). You would be exposed to working with both adults and children, and you could probably arrange to do clinical time in the ER (if there are any in your area that hire NP's).
Good luck to you and feel free to IM me if you have any other questions
Laurie
Originally Posted by imastudent Hello. I need help deciding which path I should take. I want to work in the med/surg or the ER and was wondering what kind of NPs are needed there. ACNP? Cardiology NP? Is there such a thing as a First Assistant Surgery NP?
Also, does working as a NP who specializes in surgery worth it in means of salary when in a high level stress and overworked (not sure if this is true) environment such as the med/surg and ER?
Thanks in advance for your input!

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