Complete FNP and then specialize in peds?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 2, 2005

If your real love is peds, first get some experience in that area and make sure tha tis what you want to do. I do not recommend going for a MSN in an area that you have no experience in. I am sure that others may disagree, but that will usually be the newer nurses. Us, of the older mine set, and years of experience as an RN, will highly recommend get the experience first to see if you really like it.

The specialty peds facilities usually prefer the PNP over the FNP.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 2, 2005

If your real love is peds, first get some experience in that area and make sure tha tis what you want to do. I do not recommend going for a MSN in an area that you have no experience in. I am sure that others may disagree, but that will usually be the newer nurses. Us, of the older mine set, and years of experience as an RN, will highly recommend get the experience first to see if you really like it.
The specialty peds facilities usually prefer the PNP over the FNP.

I agree. I always recommend that people get some actual work experience in an area before investing heavily in an advanced education in that field. So many people spend so much time and money for a degree only to discover later that they don't really like it as much as they thought. (How do you think we get all those 2nd career nurses?) It's a shame.

My advice ... get a job as a peds nurse. You can start taking some basic classes towards your Master's (such as stats or theory) on a part time basis while you see if peds is for you. Then, by the time you get to the clinical classes in your Master's program, you'll be able to use your peds experiences to help you get the most out of those courses. Most people learn more and better when they are able to combine their "book learning" with "experiential learning," relating the two to each other as they go. The amount and quality of the learning tends to decrease if you get one without the other.

Good luck,

llg

NYNewGrad · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks for you replies.

Yes, I am pretty sure that peds is what I want to do. However, as a new grad I was only able to get adult medsurg, so thats what I'm doing now. I need to stay on the unit for one year before transferring.

My idea of going for FNP was that I could start an NP program soon (part time) because I already have medsurg experience. If I would want to go for PNP then I would need to wait another year or two because I currently dont have any peds experience. (Time is important to me, as I am looking ahead to start a family.)

I have worked as a medical assistant in a peds office and have always dreamt of peds nursing. I know I love to work with kids.

By going through the course of FNP and then taking a few extra classes of peds specialty I will have extra peds specialization, but at the same time I'll also have the option of working adult if the situation ever arises.

Question is - did you or do you know anyone who has gone this course? And, how do I find out which schools have a program designed for FNPs to take take extra peds courses and specilize or certify in that?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 2, 2005

That si where your problem comes up. It isn't just a few classes that makes the difference. Taking care of a child is completely different than caring for an adult. And unless you have experience in actually working as an RN in the peds world, it won't make sense to you.

From experience of working with both children and adults for most of my career, I highly recommend that you get experience in working as an RN in peds before beginiing any training. Do not rush into anything just because you are younger now. Tha is not the way to do things. Make sure that it is something that you really like before going for the MSN in it. You have less than one year of experience with adults, get the year in peds first before you make any decision.

Any PNP that I know, and that is quite a few, all went the route of peds directly.

Jolie, BSN · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks for you replies.
Yes, I am pretty sure that peds is what I want to do. However, as a new grad I was only able to get adult medsurg, so thats what I'm doing now. I need to stay on the unit for one year before transferring.
My idea of going for FNP was that I could start an NP program soon (part time) because I already have medsurg experience. If I would want to go for PNP then I would need to wait another year or two because I currently dont have any peds experience. (Time is important to me, as I am looking ahead to start a family.)
I have worked as a medical assistant in a peds office and have always dreamt of peds nursing. I know I love to work with kids.
By going through the course of FNP and then taking a few extra classes of peds specialty I will have extra peds specialization, but at the same time I'll also have the option of working adult if the situation ever arises.
Question is - did you or do you know anyone who has gone this course? And, how do I find out which schools have a program designed for FNPs to take take extra peds courses and specilize or certify in that?

The NP in my pediatrician's office is a FNP, but she has always worked in peds. Her work experience as an RN was in peds, but when she went back to school for her MSN, there were no peds NP programs available in her area. She went thru the family NP course with the full intention of seeking employment in a peds setting upon completion. For her, it worked out well. But I should point out that she graduated from her NP program almost 20 years ago, when NPs were few and far between, and their practice areas were not set in stone. With licensing regulations that exist today, you may not be able to take a certification exam and practice as a PNP with a FNP education.

Best of luck whatever you decide!