Best Pre-FNP RN experience

[CharmedJ7]

Hey all - I've seen some similar threads on here but most of them skirt the FNP issue. I think clearly neonatal NPs need NICU, PNP peds, Womens health OB or L&D, etc., but FNPs seem to be a tougher one for "ideal" experience. So many programs say things like "1-2 years RELEVANT RN experience for specialty required" but I'm not sure what that means for FNP. If I want to be a primary care NP for example, I'm not sure I would ever want to work as a primary care RN since in reality the bulk of what they do most places is vitals, maybe basic screening, and phlebotomy or vaccinations. I have never been assessed by an RN in a clinic, I feel like in the sense that physical exam and focused assessment and questioning is a large part of a clinic FNPs job, ANY hospital position would be more appropriate since that's what we do all day.

I currently work on a med-surge specialty floor at the hospital and do volunteer work in a free clinic doing RN intake. Does that fit with FNP? ANP? Should I be trying to make a move to ER or home health or something?

[Felicia7878]

I have been having the same question lately! I have almost 2 years experience in ICU; Neuro and CV and 1 year in a rural hospital on a med/surg unit. I always thought I would continue for ACNP but recent events in my life have made that option not so appealing anymore. I love teaching my pt's and their families and have decided FNP is the way to go. Now I am scrabbling to apply to online FNP schools but I have no idea how my application will look!!! Is there anything that I should be doing to make my acute care skills look amazing to programs

[MissDoodaw]

I am a FNP and worked in the ER. This experience was invaluable to me. Not to downplay other units but it gave me info on how pts with conditions present with my own eyes, inpt vs. outpt care, and exposure to a million things I would not have ever seen otherwise plus the confidence that comes with knowing you can manage quite a bit on your own.

PS -this is also very marketable as every position I applied for could see how my expereince working as an RN in the ER would overlap w/ their specialty/practice.

I now work in the same er's I was a RN and tech in and I love it!

[Bidwillty]

I did critical care until deciding to go back to school I then moved to the ED, it definately helps with schedulding, from a school-work-clinical aspect, and also you learn a more problem focused approach and deal with all age groups, and disease processes, which was a great help with the FNP program

[Gator FNP]

I would say all prior experience is relevant. It is what you do with it. As a med/surg RN, read the H&P from the surgeon and see how the pt presented with their problem.

ER experience, mentioned above, would allow you to see how a pt presents, what questions you need to ask to obtain a good history.

All these skills are helpful for your future as a FNP.

[carachel2]

I would agree and say that all of my experience (CCU, ICU, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation) has come in very handy BUT the most valuable worksite was undoubtedly the ER. Even though I LOATHED the place, I put in an obligatory 2 years and then got the heck out once my more extensive FNP clinicals began. I had great critical care experience, but honestly by the time the patient gets upstairs to the CCU, the way they looked on initial presentation has already changed. Nothing like seeing and hearing descriptions of abdominal pain, ectopic pain, etc.etc. first hand in the ER.

[4evernrs]

I've been wondering about this too.... I have limited inpatient experience. 1 yr rural hospital, 9 months as charge of an Alzheimer's unit, and a handful of shifts as a temp nurse. I've been primarily in home health for the past 16 years, and the latter 10 of that have been in management. I recently was turned down for my first choice FNP program, and have since applied to another. I'm thinking maybe I should get out and do a few weekend shifts at a hospital for some hands on.... does this seem logical? I feel, in some ways, that home health has been beneficial - such as reading literally thousands of sometimes cryptic H&Ps and working through the clues to figure out what exactly was going on with the patient.

[TeleMeMore]

I think an ER or immediate care/urgent care clinic would be invaluable experience for anyone trying to pursue FNP.

Though I think if you are working on medsurg or something and you have the time to look through H&Ps to see how the doctors are planning care, that is also helpful. 2nd best way although not as good as actually being in the thick of it in the ER/Urgent Care. Triage is also great.

[ak127]

emergency room- was the best learning experience i could have asked for