best RN exp. for a PNP career

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Specializes in future FNP.

I am starting my 3 semester BSN program in July, and will move straight into an MSN or DNP program in the fall of 2010 to become a PNP. I plan to work as an RN starting January 2010 and continue to work while I pursue the advanced degree. My end goal is to be in a pediatric practice as a primary care PNP.

What would be the best RN hospital experience - I know there aren't any requirements, but for those of you in the know, what will benefit me and my future patients the most? Working in the ER? PICU? I currently work as an aide in a NICU stepdown unit and I worry about how specialized these nurses are. I want to get the most experience I can and not have my expertise confined to a very small population.

Thanks!

Liz:D

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I would think a peds floor, PICU, and ED would all be good areas to gather experience.

Good luck with your nursing career plans.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

A general peds floor would probably be best, or an ER. A lot of the ER pedi stuff is clinic-type stuff.

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Specializes in future FNP.

Thanks! ER is what I was thinking too, for seeing the widest variety of stuff. It's good to have your input.

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Hi, I know you really already received input on your question but I have been an RN for a few years now and only done Peds. I first worked on a general med-surg type peds floor, then in a peds clinic, and now work in a level one trauma center in an ER. I think by far I am gaining the most awesome experience in the ER. I love it, because you might have a basic clinic type patient in one room, a chronic kid in another one of your rooms, and then a patient that is really sick with an acute illness in another one of your rooms all at the same time. Its great as you really do get so much experience with so many things. I am glad though that I worked on a general floor first as a GN and did not just jump right into the pace of the ER, but we do have GN's on our unit that seem to do well. Do you mind me asking where are you going to go to your nursing program?

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Specializes in future FNP.

Thanks for your input too, Briem! I will be in the 2nd degree BSN program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. I'm really excited to finish A&P and Micro this semester and get started in nursing classes.

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Thanks for your input too, Briem! I will be in the 2nd degree BSN program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. I'm really excited to finish A&P and Micro this semester and get started in nursing classes.

Congrats...:yeah: I think I had seen your name on a thread I had posted about the program at Vandy. I applied for the PNP program their this semester, yet I applied in Feb. and still have not heard anything. I know that they were still taking applications for RN's so hopefully I will find out something soon good luck:)

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Specializes in future FNP.

Good luck getting into Vanderbilt! I really like what I've read about their program. If we decide to stay in Memphis, I'd like to do their distance program for my PNP. I guess since it's distance, I could technically do it from anywhere... but it's cheaper to drive 3 hours to Nashville than have to fly from somewhere else in the country. :)

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