Am I Limiting my Chances as an FNP?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am currently an ED nurse in a busy Urban hospital in addition to being in FNP school. I currently have ~2 years ED experience at a different facility where I did my fellowship and 4 years at my current location and received my CEN. The patient workload and disorganization at my current facility is immense and causing me a great deal of stress while in school, even though it is wonderful experience. I am transferring to vascular access service in my hospital where I will be placing PIV and Mid lines using US guided insertion technique. I am concerned that this new position will not advance me or provide much experience as a future FNP and that I am making a poor career decision.

Please help me with any honest advice you can provide, Thanks Beth.

Alternatively I was thinking I could market myself for other EDs as a provider with RN ED experience who can train their RNs in proper insertion with Ultrasound. I could also work as an FNP and find a Vascular access "fee for service" type of gig going to patient's homes.

Dear Concerned,

You have 6 years of ED experience and are certified. This is solid experience.

Transferring to vascular access while finishing your FNP will really reduce your stress, although you're right, it's probably not a skill you'll use as an NP. But that's OK because many of the skill sets you need as an FNP will be learned on the job.

One of the pivotal decisions you will make is to choose your specialty. If you are planning to be an acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) you will be prepared to work in ED, ICU, and urgent care clinics.

Even if you plan to work in the ED, working during school in vascular access will not make or break your employment opportunities.

If you are planning to be an adult nurse care practitioner (ANP) or an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) then you will work outside of the hospital setting, perhaps in primary care settings, and different skills are required.

I think you are going to be fine, and I hope with your new job, you can relax and enjoy the learning process.

Best wishes,

Nurse BethAuthor, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!