Needing Advice After Graduation

[irish_rainbow, BSN, MSN, DNP, NP]

Hi all,

I am a NP student graduating next May. I am currently earning my Masters in Acute Care Pediatrics, however Neonatal studies is really my passion. There is no neonatal program in my state, but I have worked as a beside RN in a Level III NICU for 3 years. I decided to do the PNP-AC program because my university also has a hospital, where I work... so I receive a 90% employee tuition discount. It seemed too good an offer to pass up. I would really like to go back for my NNP Post Masters after I graduate next year.

Here is my actual question... when I graduate I'm unsure about trying to find a new job as a PNP. I would like to begin making the extra NP money as opposed to a bedside nurse, however I'm not so sure about orienting to a new job in a completely different role while also knowing that I want to get back into school. On the flip side of that, I'm also afraid of waiting and not finding a NP job since I live in a state with only 2 Level III NICUs. The one I work at only has 1 NP and the other one has 16. That hospital also has 1 NNP job posted currently. I'm just not sure what my chances are for finding a job here (I don't want to move) as an NNP, but I don't want to start somewhere as a PNP and leave them high and dry knowing that I want to be an NNP.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!