Dilemma: FNP or AGNP -final semester

[FNPOwlGal]

Yes. I am in a program that does not find preceptors for students. Thus my dilemma. I cannot find preceptors for my final semester of my FNP program - Peds and Women's Health. I've exhausted all my resources and am tired of the stress of not knowing what my next semester holds. My school is more than willing to let me languish a semester or two, if need be; seemingly confident that I'll either be able to find preceptors last-minute or even the following semester. I have inquired as to whether I could change majors and complete my degree as an Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner, and was given the go-ahead by my dean.

I don't have a huge interest in treating gyno/ob patients and am not super excited about pediatric patients (though, I really don't care either way on the peds). But, I had wanted to have my FNP as I viewed it as presenting with broader work prospects in the future.

So, my question is this: would I be severely limiting my job prospects for the future by NOT having my FNP and just sticking with the adult/gero population?

What degree do you have?

Thanks.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Student NP forum

[pro-student]

You might as well change. Without a clinical you aren't going to be able to practice at all and without a quality clinical, you're not going to be prepared to provide quality care. Adult-Gero does include women's health so you still might (and definitely should) have adequate clinical exposure to this area.

[ICU2NP]

So have you finished all your clinicals required for adult/gero then? I would switch. But I'm partial - I'm in an AGPC program :) There are tons of jobs out there for me, but I suppose it depends on your area. I check on jobs in my area on a weekly basis right now and the only jobs I've found that they won't accept adult is in urgent care. Otherwise, even in family practice, they state they will hire family, adult or a PA usually.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

You will have every specialty available to you that doesn't treat pediatrics or pregnant women. That is a huge chunk of the job market.

I don't know why people get so caught up in worrying about if there will be a job if you aren't a FNP. You will be the preferred choice for any adult specialty. Even most primary care practices will still hire you, as their pediatric and pregnant population will generally see other providers in most circumstances.

If you don't *want* to work with peds or OB, why would you care that you *can't* work in peds or OB?

[ck12, BSN, RN]

I'm an FNP student currently and completely relate to the preceptor struggle, especially those specialties! If you aren't passionate about peds or womens health and those are causing the most headache, switch. If you would only want a career in adult primary care I would say you'd be just as marketable, if not more so, than an FNP student.