Current BSN student, externship + NP school?

[mikk8798]

Hi everyone! This is kind of a two fold question:

I am currently in nursing school and have one year left after this semester (class of May 2025).  I know that I do not want to work bedside any longer than required and eventually want to go into Dermatology as an NP.  About 6 months ago I interviewed for a Summer paid student nurse externship that is 8 weeks full time and got selected for the ICU (my top choice was L&D).  I was once excited about the opportunity but after this semester in clinical on ICU I am kind of dreading it. It just is not my thing at all.  

question 1: would it be dumb to turn down the opportunity even though I really want to enjoy this last true Summer and reset for the fall semester?  The main reason I am not wanting to do it is because this semester wrecked my mental health (they decided to experiment on a new curriculum plan for us this semester and let me tell you it was TERRIBLE) and I feel so run down that I am worried about complete burn out going into probably my toughest semester in the fall.

question 2: in terms of getting into NP school, is a post-graduate RN position in the ICU or other high acuity unit preferable? I currently have a 4.0 which I am 95% sure I will keep, have tech'd for past two years, been a medical assistant, and have another science degree.  

I don't want to mess myself up by not taking it if it really would be beneficial for what I want to do.  If I wanted to be an acute care RN or NP I would be jumping on it but I am conflicted.

 

Thank you in advance!

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Your mental health is the most important thing.  Take the Summer to rest up and finish strong to graduate from school with your mental health intact.

If you want to become an NP and work in derm, no one is going to care if you have hospital experience in the ICU or L&D as those are completely irrelevant to derm.  I think there are 1 or 2 schools in the US that offer an NP derm specialization, but you will likely have to complete an FNP primary care program.  An FNP will also give you more options if you can't get a job in derm right away.

Good luck.

[mikk8798]

FullGlass said:

Your mental health is the most important thing.  Take the Summer to rest up and finish strong to graduate from school with your mental health intact.

If you want to become an NP and work in derm, no one is going to care if you have hospital experience in the ICU or L&D as those are completely irrelevant to derm.  I think there are 1 or 2 schools in the US that offer an NP derm specialization, but you will likely have to complete an FNP primary care program.  An FNP will also give you more options if you can't get a job in derm right away.

Good luck.

Thank you for your input! I should have clarified I plan to do the FNP primary care program and then seeking training in Dermatology.