Acute care nurse practitioner program/job

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Hi, I'm currently an icu nurse in the trauma surgical icu. I've been a nurse for 6 years and am getting to the point where I'm desiring a little more from my career than bedside. The acute care nurse practitioner role has really sparked my interest. I have no desire to be a fnp if my role were to be narrowed to family practice/primary care. I currently live in the Central Valley of California. Unfortunately no programs close. I was wondering if anyone could give input on their programs,their schedule during program, working, finding a job after etc. extra bonus points if anyone has experience with ucsf acute care no program. Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'm halfway through an acute program in New England at a respected state school. So far most of the classes have been taken with fellow FNP students but towards the end of the program we will split into our various specialty groups. It's been challenging, and a lot fo work, but it's manageable. My school have a 100% employment rate post-graduation and find all our clinical placements. I would say that's a pretty important thing to factor in. I would have to have to find my own clinical sites. We get placed in the 4 major hospitals here in the state and most people get offered a position by the time they graduate. I work full-time Mon-Fri and I'm going to have to juggle things when I start clinicals but so far it's working for me. It's been tough giving up all my weekends to do school work but that's what I signed up for.It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be worth it.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I see a good job outlook for ACNP's in most areas of California that center around large metro areas. I'm in the SF Bay area and there are jobs here for sure. UCSF is the only program in this part of California and the program has a good reputation. I'm familiar with some aspects of the program but I'm not an alumni. I would say living in the Central Valley, you are more likely to see primary care jobs...I do, however, know of ACNP jobs that are posted around the Sacramento and Fresno areas (there is a UCSF Fresno campus actually, and the faculty practices do hire NP's).

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Specializes in ICU.
I was wondering if anyone could give input on their programs,their schedule during program, working, finding a job after etc. extra bonus points if anyone has experience with ucsf acute care no program. Thanks

I'm in my 2nd year of an acute care program in the PNW! I love it! It's been challenging, but has also already been so rewarding. I finish my masters in June and can't wait to start working!

My program is mostly face-to-face on campus (with some theory courses online). Right now I have class for 7 hours every Tuesday. And then do 2 full days of clinical each week. (We rotate through different services every 6 weeks to get a broad range of experience. All my clinicals have been arranged for me.) I am only working per diem (couple times a month) so that I can focus more on school. I also have a hubby and kids that need me around!

As for finding a job- I've already had 3 of my clinical sites express interest. I don't think it will be too hard to find one after graduation.

I looked into UCSF's program (though never applied). It seems like a great program! Just too pricey to live anywhere near it!!

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