Family NP in hospital and FA?

[BriGuy31]

Hello, forgive me if this topic has been covered before. I am currently a BSN nurse that has been practicing in a Burn ICU for the past 2.5 years. I am trying to decide which NP program to complete, the Family Primary or Acute adult..... both MSN degrees for now. I like the critical care aspect of my job and enjoy managing drips, CRRT, wound care, etc. The night shift is brutal on myself and family. I am in a pickle and would appreciate any help. I'll try to state my opinions in bullet points:

-I am not sure if the ICU will loose the "rush" if I am not physically caring for the critically ill.

-I really would like regular hours. Weekends are ok sometimes but night shift will be avoided like ebola.

-I have never worked with peds but I'm sure I would like it.

-It's hard to find Family NP job postings in South East Michigan area, so I'm not sure on job outlook.

-I think I would really enjoy assisting in the OR and then following up with the patient.

-The diverse nature of the FNP seems to hold long term value if I ever get "burnt out" with ICU care. Sometimes when I cover nightshift for a few months...I start to dread my ICU job.

These are my feelings. My perfect career would be OR and patient care split, no on-call or nightshift (family is most important to me).

Can I be a FNP and first assist? Then transition into the traditional FNP role in 10 years or so (41 years old by the time I graduate with my MSN).

Sorry this post is poorly written...very sick and I'm not thinking sharp.

Thanks,

Brian

P.S.- I plan to shadow an Acute and Family NP very soon.

[penniv]

Brian,

I am an Adult NP with a specialty in Ortho. I split my time between clinic and First Assist in the OR. I have always been an Ortho nurse so I knew this is what I would do. I never worked with kids in my RN career and didn't plan on doing so as a NP which is why I went the Adult versus the Family.

I have a close friend who is ACNP and she feels very limited. She has always been a Neuro Nurse and is now doing that as a NP but she is already getting burned out after one year on the hospital.

I think you just need to decide what you want to do with your time.

Good luck

[Yuppers21]

I have some of the same concerns as you Brian. Most of my experience has been ICU and while I love it as a RN, I don't think I will hold the same passion for it in the NP role nor do I care for hopsital hours. I have shadowed a FNP who runs his own small clinic and I really enjoyed the experience; I hope to shadow a few more as well as an ACNP or two. I find it kind of odd that as a RN I enjoy critical care and would (probably) be bored in the primary care setting, but as a NP I imagine I would feel just the opposite. I also very much prefer working nights on ICU, but sometimes crave a more normal schedule that (I assume) a family practice clinic might provide.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Yes, it's possible to work first assist and primarily day shifts as an FNP. It took me a year to find the position, but it's out there.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I'm an ACNP for a surgical service. I round on the floor and ICU, pre and post surgical patients. I don't want to work in the OR, but I could if I wanted (boss would love it). I don't take call, hours are 4 x 10hr shifts per week, daylight.