Best area for RN experience prior to becoming FNP

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Hello all,

I am getting ready to begin a FNP program this fall and I would like to know the best area of nursing where I should get my experience. I have 2 1/2 years of Medicine/Cardiology and I am currently going through orientation for Emergency Room. The problem is I really dont like the ER but I figured it could help make me more desirable once I start applying for NP positions post graduation. For all you NPs out there do you reccommend that I stay in the ED for the experience or go to the cath lab ( position waiting for me, if i want it).

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Lucky for you that you have a choice!

The best experience really depends on what you'd like to do as an FNP. If you're interested in primary care, then the ER is definitely foundational experience. If you want to work in cardiology, then stick with the cath lab.

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Agree with the above post, but if I had the

Chance to do ER I would -- you will pick up on urgent

Care type skills, assessment and diagnosis which is

The meat of what an np or doc really does -- pay

Attention to their notes and how they treat these

Patients -- family practice includes a lot more non acute issues , but ER time

Is always valuable and employers like to see it. Wish I had time there. I did a lot of med surge tele time and that

Was also valuable ....

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Thanks you, I'm not crazy about the ED but I feel like I can make it work until I finish school. I want any advantage I can get, 1) to find a job sooner that later 2) become more comfortable in my practice, which i know will take time. However, having a good foundation as you have mentioned won't hurt either.

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I am finding out more than even your experience as an RN is....NETWORKING!!!! Get to know the doctors depending on where you want to work as an NP. I was not aware of that when I was in school. Plus work days...as that way people know you. One of the girls in my class did that and got a job right out of school as a new grad in our hospital. I HAVE NOT. I am still looking. It is more about who you know than what you know.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, ICU, ER.

I'm a psych NP, but I did have to do some primary care rotations-- my ICU experience was not very helpful, but my ER experience proved INVALUABLE. You get to see everything from STDs to wounds to life-threatening medical conditions.

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Specializes in Clinic NP.

Networking is the most important thing.

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I have an alternative medicine job now, and worked in corrections before that. I'm doing my first NP ED rotation in school...LOVE IT! The experience is so great and I wish I had more ED experience from the get go. It really makes you better at autonomy, assessment, and procedures.

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Well it really depends on what you want to do long-term as the previous poster had mentioned. If you want to do primary care then I would get more ED experience. If you want to work in cardiology then yea I would say the cath lab is a great place to work. I actually work cardiac electrophysiology. I never worked in the EP lab but I worked on cardiac unit taking care of post ablation/device patients which was helpful in my current position. I love where I work and I love cardiology (EP) so follow your heart and you will be happy :)

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