Calling all acute NPs

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'm a third year acute NP student looking to graduate next year and I don't see too many threads for acute NPs and it would be nice to get a head count. I would be interested in hearing about your experience. What kind of area do you work in? How is your schedule? Are you comfortable working in your area and do you have enough support? Where do you see yourself progressing and do you think you'll stay in acute care? What options do you see for the future if you don't want to work inpatient anymore?

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Specializes in CTICU.

I've worked inpatient cardiothoracic transplant surgery (pre/postop) since graduation. Rotating days and weekends. I just accepted a new job in critical care working set days, no weekends. I expect a steep learning curve, particularly with procedures, as I haven't put in lines, intubated etc since I was an ACNP student 4 yrs ago. Looking forward to the challenge though. I will always have a critical care physician available. I'm the first NP to work in this ICU so I will have to get back to you on how supported I am etc. I have always felt well-prepared for my job so far though. Hoping for less political BS working with ICU docs than cardiothoracic surgeons!

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
I've worked inpatient cardiothoracic transplant surgery (pre/postop) since graduation. Rotating days and weekends. I just accepted a new job in critical care working set days, no weekends. I expect a steep learning curve, particularly with procedures, as I haven't put in lines, intubated etc since I was an ACNP student 4 yrs ago. Looking forward to the challenge though. I will always have a critical care physician available. I'm the first NP to work in this ICU so I will have to get back to you on how supported I am etc. I have always felt well-prepared for my job so far though. Hoping for less political BS working with ICU docs than cardiothoracic surgeons!

I feel you on the cardiothoracic surgeons ! I recently read an article wherein it listed surgeon as one of the leading jobs for psychopaths.. Yep I see it.

I work part time in outpatient cardiology and inpatient. Also work in outpatient pre op center doing H&Ps for patients about to have surgery. I have physicians I can bounce things off when needed- usually use my other NPs for guidance and go to docs for tricky situations. I will say I started out in inpatient then transitioned to outpatient- I'm not sure if that made it easier or not. But once you get experience somewhere I would think you could work outpatient as well.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.
I've worked inpatient cardiothoracic transplant surgery (pre/postop) since graduation. Rotating days and weekends. I just accepted a new job in critical care working set days, no weekends. I expect a steep learning curve, particularly with procedures, as I haven't put in lines, intubated etc since I was an ACNP student 4 yrs ago. Looking forward to the challenge though. I will always have a critical care physician available. I'm the first NP to work in this ICU so I will have to get back to you on how supported I am etc. I have always felt well-prepared for my job so far though. Hoping for less political BS working with ICU docs than cardiothoracic surgeons!

I'm curious, what was you role as a cardiothoracic transplant NP?

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Specializes in CTICU.
I'm curious, what was you role as a cardiothoracic transplant NP?

Admitting pre-transplant workups or VAD patients, rounding on heart/lung transplant and VAD patients on the floor and ICU, pulling wires/chest tubes etc, trach management, VAC dressings. Lots of coordination of care between cardiology/surgery, pulmonary medicine/surgery, multidisciplinary team. Documentation and billing. Discharge planning.

I also was the clinical supervisor for the APP group so I had administrative duties, scheduling, timesheets, performance management etc.

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