Experience for FNP Programs

[cjo85]

I have been working part time on a med/surg unit for two years now. I am interested in becoming an FNP. My father (who is an MD) thinks I need to work in an ICU or ER before applying because he thinks med/surg isn't enough (or right type?) experience. I am wondering if what he says is true and wondering where people have worked and how long and were still accepted into an FNP program. I am not really interested in working in either as I am happy with med/surg.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

If you want to be an Acute Care NP, then definitely ICU or ED experience is valuable. If you just want FNP, then your med-surg experience should be fine.

[lwsoccjs]

If you want to be an Acute Care NP, then definitely ICU or ED experience is valuable. If you just want FNP, then your med-

surg experience should be fine.

Totally agree with SopranoKris. There are many types of NP. If you want acute or neonatal, or even gero maybe but primary care definitely do not need ICU experience, that would make no sense.

FNP are not qualified to treat acute, so why would experience in the subject be useful? To be able to treat? Or identify symptoms? Hmm, you call 911, and apply cpr that is it.

[Malenurse1235954]

Is you dad FM or IM? He may misunderstand the role of a FNP is simular (clinic/outpatient) but limited to no hospital work. Common misunderstanding since they do both in their residencies

[gelli.25]

The ER may give you more exposure as you may see sprains, non-critical broken bones, lacerations, STIs and etc. As a FNP, ICU is pretty irrelevant as you will not be working with critical (drips, vents) patients, but focused on health promotion and disease prevention. Med-surg is fine too; you spruce up on your meds and labs, practice lots of education, and become exposed to lots of disease processes. The NP and RN roles are so different I don't think it matters that greatly, but one may have more of an educational advantage. However, I do believe previous experience does help with your build of confidence, communication and interpersonal skills, and basic nursing skills. I worked in an acute care unit for 9 months and I've been in the OR for 3 years now; I'm starting my program this fall.

Good Luck!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I found that my ED experience was very helpful in my primary care rotations because there were so many of the same things (as far as the less acute ER visits).

Perhaps a happy medium like an urgent care would get you up to speed.

If you want to only work in primary practice, your medical/surgical experience could suit fine, but it really is a different world from hospital to outpatient setting.

[YoutubeTheNP]

I think you'll be fine with the M/S experience. But look at the requirements for the programs you want to enroll. They may have some specifics. If you're going for FNP you should have no problems unless they want two years of full time work. How part time are you?