Any Trauma or Cardiothoracic ACNP's willing to give advice?

Published Mar 27, 2009

41 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry, ER, Trauma ICU.

I am starting Vandy in the fall for my ACNP. One of the reasons I applied there is that I loved the sub-specialties they offered. But now I am torn between Trauma and cardiac surgery, and would love some input. FYI; I also would like to first assist later in my career. Heres some info about me...

I do not have a lot of experience in trauma (basically my practicum in TICU (which I loved), and about four months (part-time) in a level one trauma ER (with no trauma rotation )). But I am a total adrenaline junkie and I love critical, coding, get your hands dirty patients. Even the words blunt force trauma and mechanism of injury get my heart racing. I think I would enjoy this area because I work better under pressure, and I love to critically think, and want hands on automomy. I have heard that a lot of trauma NPs are not part of the initial resuscitation and stabilization (which would make me sad, but I really enjoy critical care as well).

Now for cardiac surgery, I have a lot more expreience in this area. In 2006 I had to have emergent open heart surgery for a golf ball size clot in my right atrium (which lead to a pulmonary embolectomy and large PFO closure). Since then I have had a bond with cardiac surgery patients. I was a nurse extern for a year on a thoracic telemetry unit and have a pretty large knowledge base in this field. Most of all my patients are always so thankful because I take the time to explain what they will feel, see ect. after the surgery. I am honest about the recovery, pain and emotions. I never tell them my full story (I dont feel that is professional) but I tell them i have been there and understand (they usually ask, since you can see my scar and medical alert necklace in scrubs). I do feel as though I can make a difference in these patients lives.

So I guess I am looking for opinions, input on what you think I should consider. Plus the following.. Are you happy in your fields? Which do you think has a better outlook and more jobs trauma or cardiac surgery? Does the adrenaline of trauma wear off? Can ACNP (with a RNFA) assist in trauma surgery? What are your hours, pay, and burn out rates? Has anyone gone to vandy for these (what was your experience in your specialty)? and if u went to vandy is it possible to split your time in 2 specialty areas (or will that make you unable to practice in either)?

Lastly, I do not believe there is a trauma NP cert, is there one for Cardiac surgery?

Thank you all so much