Bariatric NP?

[Melanie_RN]

I'm hoping to start an RN-MSN program next fall, and right now I'm bouncing back and forth between getting my masters in nursing administration and getting my NP and specializing in bariatrics and obesity treatment.

Since I work there and get free tuition, of course, I will be attending the University of Kentucky. This is a listing for the advanced practice programs at UK. If I decide to pursue the bariatric NP goal, then what educational track do you guys think would best prepare me for that career? I realize that since bariatrics and obesity treatment is just now beginning to gain recognition, there aren't many (if any, I haven't found any..) specialty programs. So I'm assuming there would probably be a few other classes I would need to further my education in that particular specialty.

Thanks for the advice!

[Melanie_RN]

no one has any advice?

[Sarah Bellum]

The two NP's that practice at my bariatric surgeon's office are both FNP's. Does that help? Best I can do since I'm not a nurse yet. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

Karen

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i cant answer any of your questions but good luck and you can practice your skills on me...plenty of fat to manage...

[kennysue99]

I am an RN on a surgical acute unit and we take all bariatric patients. I am also working towards my masters as a FNP. I work closely with the group of surgeons who are performing the bariatric sx and they do not use FNPs at this time. There really is no such thing as bariatric NP. You can get your FNP or ARNP and then try to become hired by a surgical practice that performs the surgeries but because you do no have privileges in the OR it may be difficult. They would probably hire a PA. Don't know if this helps. Another alternative though may be marketing yourself to a bariatric center that may offer nutritional counseling etc to patients after surgery as a NP. I have thought about that myself. Anyway, good luck

[TinkRN8]

Hi Melanie!

I am not an RN yet, however, I do have experience with bariatric surgery. I actually had the LAP-Band 3 yrs ago. My surgeon is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country. In her office, she has 3 NP's. They do all of the follow up appointments. I actually never saw the surgeon again (in a follow up capacity) after I was released from the hospital. I always saw the NP. So, in this particular practice the NP's are utilized extensively. Are there any surgeons in your area that specialize in bariatrics and have a specific bariatric program? I know that in some areas it is just done under general surgery. If there is a designated bariatric program in your area, contact that office and find out if they use NP's or if they could tell you if there are any specific classes you can take for this specialty. I am in AZ, but the practice I went to is Scottsdale Bariatrics (scottsdalebariatrics.com). They are always helpful with information and even though they are in AZ, they may be able to steer you in the right direction. Hope this helps!