ENP or Emergency Physician?

[level1]

Hello,

I'm 25, a man, and changing careers into nursing. I'll start an ADN program in the fall and plan to slide right into a completion program thereafter for my BSN. I plan to tech in the ED or CCU all throughout school. When all is said and done, I'll be 29 with a BSN. My goal is to eventually become an NP in the ED, but I'm worried about how much autonomy the ENP has. I have yet to experience level1 trauma and that's a subspecialty I'd like to learn more about.

I did poorly in my undergrad (cGPA 3.3) and do not have to time/finances to do a post-bacc to try to get into med school. Plus, I'm not really sure I'd even want to become a physician. The problem is that I'm starting to second guess myself. I'm wondering if when I'm an ENP, I'll be allowed to perform procedures and be somewhat independent and not have to constantly feed the Dr's ego. I want to be actively involved in the severe cases in the ED and not just the bystander or supporting role. Do any of you know ENPs that have fullfilling careers in the ED? I know I'll want to pursue NP, because I need the analytical/diagnostic side of healthcare, I can't feel like I'm just a soldier and not making some critical decisions.

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

One of the issues you need to look at is where you're planning on settling down. If you're set on staying in one place, then you might need to look at becoing a PA also.

As of today there really is no such thing as an "ER NP" they are ACNP or FNP who are working in the ED. The ED NP program are a combined ACNP and FNP programs. You will need to make sure that your program covers all ages and you get enough inpatient as well as outpatient clinical. If you go the ACNP route, you will need both Pediatric and adult.

Scope of practice is going to vary depending on where you are. In teh right place you'll be running things, Intubate, Chest tube, central lines etc. At the hosptial the next town over you might only be doing fast track. Which ever you choose, make sure you leave yourself options. You might find in a year or two that you want to do something else. PA's tend to be a but more flexible when I comes to changing, than NPs are.

For the time being, just finish what your doing now, get your BSN and specialty certicication, get some experience and then really look at the pro's and cons of everything.

[level1]

CraigB-RN,

Nice response. I think it's definitely too early for me to know exactly what I want. I would say I am pretty flexible in terms of relocating, but I'm pretty stubborn in the sense that I want to be within the world of Emergency. I'm aware that those programs are ACNP focused and where I work the NPs in the ER are mostly settled in fastrack.

Can you guys break down the levels for me? Numerous times people mentioned levels 3/4, 5 and I'd like to know the diagnoses/severity of the levels.

Absolutely. I just want to get the BSN and gain some real work experience before deciding on any more schooling. I may very well be completely satisfied being you whacky/ screws loose ER RN who loves the care side of the game.

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

The smaller the number the higher the more services offered. The 1 and 2 are usually bigger hospitals, sometimes with trauma centers. The 3 can be community hospitals and the 4s are usually small hospital in rural areas. That's the short sbrviated answer.