Starting PNP program in Fall 2011!

danceluver · Jun 25, 2012

@Jennifer0512: As a direct entry graduate, how have you found the job market to be like? Have you been able to interview for the jobs you've wanted or desired? What sort of specialties are you interested in? Has the pay been decent? Are you still able to work as an RN if you wanted to with your PNP degree (if right away u were not able to find your perfect PNP job). Are you planning on doing loan repayment as a PNP? Do you think RN experience is required before specializing as an NP? Just personal, i know but it would be nice to hear your opinion as well :) In fact, sometimes I do think specializing sets you apart in the job market especially if you don't have RN experience in the field. Congrats on graduating!

StudentAmie · Jun 26, 2012

I agree wholeheartedly with what Jennifer said. I am in my peds class right now with the FNP students and the thought of how little peds coursework they get would make me nervous to be certified to care for those patients with so little experience. I think it's one thing if you are an RN with 10 years of varied experience, but for me personally, having gone basically straight through, I don't think it would be enough training to be expected to handle issues across the lifespan especially all the adult chronic illness stuff. It definitely helps that I have 3 kids of my own, so none of the developmental material has been new to me as well as issues like breastfeeding.

Also, peds is a HUGE field. Remember it's age 0-21 so there is plenty to learn. In my clinicals it is a constant challenge to go from seeing a 2 week old, to a 15 year old sports physical, to a 5y WCC, back to a 6 month old. The nutrition, development, and safety advice is different for all the age groups so it's definitely a challenge. There are also plenty of areas to specialize...I am doing a fellowship in a pulmonary clinic next semester where we will see everything from asthma to CF to kids with trachs. I have an adolescent health course in the spring and surprising to me has been how much I enjoy this age group.

As far as finding work, I live in a fairly small community and like nursing in general I think it's all about networking. My program only graduates PNPs every 2-3 years and accepts a small cohort (8-10) so they are careful not to saturate the market. I keep track of names of every preceptor I work with and strive to establish excellent relationships while I am there. I don't constantly see PNP job postings, but I put myself out there on a regular basis with the hopes that when my dream job pops up, someone will remember my name! :)

hjnurse · Jun 26, 2012

Thank you both for your responses! You have definitely reconfirmed what i was thinking/feeling, its just nice to hear it from someone who has already been through or is going through PNP school. Even though PNP is a more focused specialty vs. FNP, there is still such a huge age range. Perhaps I am most worried about marketability, seems like FNP jobs are easier to find than PNP, however I would prefer to have much more education and be an "expert" in pediatrics so I think I am going to stick with my gut and do the PNP route.

@ Jennifer0512: Good luck on the boards! :)

Jennifer0512 · Jul 3, 2012

Sorry I'm responding late--boards took priority (and I'm happy to report that I passed!!)

danceluver: I actually have found the job market to be better than I expected (and I'm in MA). There's not a ton out there for PNPs here, but when there is an opening that I apply for I actually am getting some feedback even as a new grad with no RN experience. I've only just started applying, but I feel like this is promising!

I have been able to at least speak to people about jobs that I was interested in--the interviews are starting to come in now that I'm certified.

As far as specialties--I really just love peds primary care, so not really much of a specialty, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out a peds specialty if a job opportunity came up and I wasn't getting any primary care offers.

No idea about the pay, but the grads that came back from last year to speak to our class were not complaining :)

And a lot of people in my class are working as RNs even with their PNP degrees...some might stick with the RN route for a while actually--I'm hoping to jump right in to the NP role, minus a small temporary RN role this summer.

Yes, I'll be paying back loans as a PNP.

And in my opinion, I think that RN experience doesn't hurt, but I do NOT think it's necessary--especially in the primary care route, it may be more helpful if you wanted to be an acute care PNP.

I think I answered all your questions, but if you have any more feel free to ask!!

kdavispn · Jul 15, 2012

Congrats!!!

Annaiya, NP · Jul 17, 2012

And in my opinion, I think that RN experience doesn't hurt, but I do NOT think it's necessary--especially in the primary care route, it may be more helpful if you wanted to be an acute care PNP.

I completely agree with this. I wouldn't want to do acute care without hospital peds experience, but it does almost nothing to help you in a primary care setting. Aside from just extra experience listening to breath sounds and maybe some familiarity with asthma medications, etc. The two worlds are SO different.