*help-which np program do i pick?!!

[Amber_RN]

Ok so I feel like I am in the same boat as everyone else. I have no clue which program I want to apply to. First of all, I WANT to do a part time IN CLASS program. I am working full time now and do not want to have to stop working while going to school. I am looking at programs in PA. there are several in class options near me that would not require me to move...would just require me to drive. However, I have a lot of options. I have Acute Care adult-gero NP, FNP, and then just Adult-gero NP. I am still confused as to which one I should choose!

HELP!? Advice?!

[pbajil]

Well, Family NP cares for pts of all ages. Do you like kids or just adults? If you choose just adults, do you want to work in acute care, like a hospital? Then choose the acute care. If you really want that area, then go to school for that. For many, the FNP gives a broader area to choose to get a job. The smaller the population you can care for, the jobs are more limited.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

OP - So one of the first things I think you need to decide is what population you wish to practice with? Adult? Family? Pediatric? A good way to do this would be to shadow several NPs in the area and discuss how their practice works, try to identify what you would like and not like about the various practices. It makes no sense to go to a PNP program if you want to practice with a geriatric population or vice versa.

Once you have identified what type of NP you want to be, that will narrow down the programs that will interest you quite a bit. It is good that you have identified the other criteria that is of interest to you. Good luck!