Family Nurse Practitioner

[kingvonnBSN2017, BSN]

Can FNPs work with neonates? After I obtain my BSN and hopefully work in the NICU, I always told myself that I wanted to become a neonatal nurse practitioner, someone told me that I am limiting myself and that it is best to become a FNP. So now I am curious, can FNPs work with neonates or you specially need to become a neonatal nurse practitioner for that?

[guest769224]

FNP's can work with healthy and well newborns. If you want to work with babies, sick babies, you are best off as a neonatal nurse practitioner. One of the best places to work with babies on a consistent basis, is the Newborn ICU. This area is typically dominated by neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP's).

NNP's compared to FNP's have a narrowed scope of practice, confined to ages less than 2, but arguably have better pay and value because of their specialty training. You won't hear much talk about NNP's having to settle for low pay, like some FNP's have.

Ultimately, if your heart is set on caring for sick infants, try NNP. Working as an RN in the NICU will give you a great opportunity to observe if it's the right fit. Besides, you need two years of NICU bedside RN experience before getting into NNP school. I was once told by an NNP, "Being an NP in the NICU is one of the best kept secrets out there." I believe her, but am choosing FNP, for myself.

If you'd like to learn more about NNP's, here's a thread I created on it with some insight: https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/nnp-outlook-971737.html

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

I second the previous post, NICU as an RN for several years, then move onto NNP if you still truly see yourself treating only that population.

[littlepeopleRNICU]

NICU is so specialized, that even if a facility/board would allow it, I wouldn't chance it. There is SO much that is NICU specific, I don't think the usual FNP program would adequately educate you.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Can FNPs work with neonates? After I obtain my BSN and hopefully work in the NICU, I always told myself that I wanted to become a neonatal nurse practitioner, someone told me that I am limiting myself and that it is best to become a FNP. So now I am curious, can FNPs work with neonates or you specially need to become a neonatal nurse practitioner for that?

It is limiting. But it sounds like that's exactly what you want :)

[A&OxNone, MSN, RN]

People have said that to me about doing Pediatric NP, but here are my thoughts about it...

The largest pediatric group in the state (that also owns 3 peds hospitals) just said they will only start hiring PNPs from now on.

Also, I don't really want to ever ever take care of adults again.

So if you look at it that way, if I went the FNP route, it would ONLY make me unqualified for the jobs I do want, and make it easier to get the jobs I don't want. Isn't that a little backwards? Sounds like that would be exactly what would happen to you if you went FNP vs NNP.

So I'm fine being limited, because I know Peds is what I want to do. Good luck with your decision.