Best nursing background for FNP?

Specialties NP

Updated:   Published

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I graduated May 2020 with my BSN. I was briefly in labor and delivery (May 2020- august) but that didn’t work out (long story). I desperately needed a job, so I applied any and everywhere; jail system , an ambulatory surgery clinic, and a dialysis clinic all called me back first. I took the ambulatory surgery job. I have amazing hours, but my duties are very administrative (order supplies, stock, etc). Other than that, I start IVs (like at least 10 each day), pre/post op vitals/monitoring, give IV very few drugs/antibiotics , lots of patient education. I’m rarely in the OR, I’ll sometimes help pass materials and open things sterilely but that’s it. 

I really enjoy being outpatient, but I will go to a hospital if I absolutely won’t have a strong FNP base without it. I was thinking to stay with my current job (the Hours are great and I’d have lots of time to study and do clinicals), or I could do home health/jail nursing if that would introduce me to more. Or I could go inpatient. I like ER, OB, etc. and I do have a total of 6 months with labor and delivery technically (I did an externship in 2019). Any advice, FNPs?

I want start school this fall, or next Winter.

2 Votes
Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.

Er most likely 

1 Votes
5 minutes ago, Tegridy said:

Er most likely 

Okay thank you! My mind is very open.

1 Votes

I have worked in telemetry and ER and am about to go into my last semester of FNP school. I am VERY grateful for my ER experience and I think it's probably the best place to get experience prior to FNP school. I feel as though I'm a step ahead from my colleagues who have worked in a niche specialty. 

1 Votes

I can’t say there’s ever a great nursing area to go FNP. We all bring influences from a range of backgrounds that often influence our care. I started out in pacu, moved to a pacu float between 5 hospitals and two procedure centers, worked part time in pain service,  and finally set up a fledgling acute pain service at our local VA. But moving into primary care, I carried a plethora of experience from doing those activities that both influenced my career and helped me through school. 

Many things you can do at your current situation. You need to review history and medications those patients are taking.  Typical preop stuff.  While you are at it ask the why and what they’re for.  You can save that for your own research later. It gets you used to some commonly prescribed meds and the opportunity to deep dive on the pathologies they are used for.  If you’re recovering patients, that’s perfect time to get more thorough physical exam techniques. The heart check they taught us in nursing school is nowhere the depth they teach doctors, PAs, or nurse practitioners. You might get some funny looks trying to measure JVP on a colonoscopy patient, but it’s a good opportunity for practice. (A good medical physical exam guide will give you a lot of that insight).  It won’t be completely thorough but will get you practice in a few common areas. Develop a working knowledge of the procedures your patients are getting and the why they are there. That way you understand the various pathologies that need these done. These all won’t cover your whole NP education, but you will find many of your class mates come from just as varied backgrounds. You all will have many different perspectives to bring to the table. 

if your goal is FNP and likely primary care or clinic based medicine, then you are fine where you’re at. If a goal is more of an acute setting like a hospital, I recommend an acute care setting like ICU and shoot for an acute care degree rather than an FNP. 

2 Votes
10 hours ago, djmatte said:

I can’t say there’s ever a great nursing area to go FNP. We all bring influences from a range of backgrounds that often influence our care. I started out in pacu, moved to a pacu float between 5 hospitals and two procedure centers, worked part time in pain service,  and finally set up a fledgling acute pain service at our local VA. But moving into primary care, I carried a plethora of experience from doing those activities that both influenced my career and helped me through school. 

Many things you can do at your current situation. You need to review history and medications those patients are taking.  Typical preop stuff.  While you are at it ask the why and what they’re for.  You can save that for your own research later. It gets you used to some commonly prescribed meds and the opportunity to deep dive on the pathologies they are used for.  If you’re recovering patients, that’s perfect time to get more thorough physical exam techniques. The heart check they taught us in nursing school is nowhere the depth they teach doctors, PAs, or nurse practitioners. You might get some funny looks trying to measure JVP on a colonoscopy patient, but it’s a good opportunity for practice. (A good medical physical exam guide will give you a lot of that insight).  It won’t be completely thorough but will get you practice in a few common areas. Develop a working knowledge of the procedures your patients are getting and the why they are there. That way you understand the various pathologies that need these done. These all won’t cover your whole NP education, but you will find many of your class mates come from just as varied backgrounds. You all will have many different perspectives to bring to the table. 

if your goal is FNP and likely primary care or clinic based medicine, then you are fine where you’re at. If a goal is more of an acute setting like a hospital, I recommend an acute care setting like ICU and shoot for an acute care degree rather than an FNP. 

Thanks so much! My goal is family medicine or an OB GYN clinic. I currently work in pain mangement, doing minimally/moderately invasive procedures. I do lots of patient follow ups.  Gyno urology is also cool. I was really hoping I’d be fine where I was, at least for the first semester of NP school. I’d probably switch to an OB GYN or family practice later. Or, I’d go to the ER if I had to. But I could just stay for 1-all semesters, that’s ideal.

1 Votes
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

You don't need RN experience to become an FNP.  You have enough RN experience now.  If you want to be an FNP, then start applying to schools.

2 Votes
8 hours ago, FullGlass said:

You don't need RN experience to become an FNP.  You have enough RN experience now.  If you want to be an FNP, then start applying to schools.

I’ve also considered this. I know of many FNP programs that would have let me in immediately after BSN graduation, without experience. I made the decision to wait for mental reasons (I was one of the top students in my BSN program, but I was tired by the end and wanted to take a breather) and so I could save up some money. I’ve applied to many positions, including ER, but I won’t aggressively follow up. If I don’t hear anything,  I may honestly she stay where I am, at least for my first semester of NP school, and then consider trying harder to switch jobs if I feel like I need more exposure. My current job pays extremely well and has an amazing schedule compatible with school.

1 Votes
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
8 hours ago, Juliet BSN RN said:

I’ve also considered this. I know of many FNP programs that would have let me in immediately after BSN graduation, without experience. I made the decision to wait for mental reasons (I was one of the top students in my BSN program, but I was tired by the end and wanted to take a breather) and so I could save up some money. I’ve applied to many positions, including ER, but I won’t aggressively follow up. If I don’t hear anything,  I may honestly she stay where I am, at least for my first semester of NP school, and then consider trying harder to switch jobs if I feel like I need more exposure. My current job pays extremely well and has an amazing schedule compatible with school.

I agree that you're fine as you are for FNP.  But how will you go to class and attend clinical on 5 day work week? At least I'm assuming those are your hours since you're doing an ambulatory surgery center.

1 Votes
4 hours ago, Neuro Guy NP said:

I agree that you're fine as you are for FNP.  But how will you go to class and attend clinical on 5 day work week? At least I'm assuming those are your hours since you're doing an ambulatory surgery center.

I work 4 10s, and I have 3 day weekends. but I’m paid salary so if we’re done by 1pm with all our cases I get to leave. Most days I’m out by 3-4pm! 

2 Votes
Specializes in Paramedic.
On 1/7/2021 at 12:53 AM, Juliet BSN RN said:

 I’ve applied to many positions, including ER, but I won’t aggressively follow up. 

You should change this attitude, all the best positions will come to those who pursue it aggressively. Call around or find out who the hiring reps are on linkedin and ask about the positions you're interested in. Being passive will keep you in the same place, be active and keep a forward momentum in your career!

2 Votes
Specializes in oncology.
On 1/5/2021 at 10:04 AM, Juliet BSN RN said:

(I did an externship in 2019). Any advice, FNPs?

 

I believe from what you said you were not an RN for this externship. It doesn't count.

On 1/5/2021 at 10:04 AM, Juliet BSN RN said:

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I graduated May 2020 with my BSN. I was briefly in labor and delivery (May 2020- august) but that didn’t work out (long story). I desperately needed a job,

While you say you were at the top of your class, reality would say you may need to reflect on your future plans. What is it you want to do, have a solid record in doing that and what will you bring to your future plans to make them a reality?

0 Votes
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