FNP in ER

[Lovescience]

Hello everyone,

This my first post, but I am a long time lurker. I have a question regarding FNPs working in ERs. I am finishing my FNP program and am interested in working in the ER. I understand my training is not in acute care but primary care. I know FNPs can work in the ER in certain states, but I am concerned about liability issues.

If I were to complete a resodency/fellowship NP ER program, do you think that would be sufficient to fill in the gap of knowledge/skill? Or do you think a post masters in ACNP would still be necessary? I never went through an ACNP program, but I'm pretty sure the fellowship would be even better than a ACNP post masters program. The residency/fellowships look intense with a didactic and clinical portion, plus all of them have the Fellows/residents taking call during the year or 18 months. Anyways, thanks in advance for the responses.

[Dranger]

Before deciding any of this you need to be realistic.

How many ED fellowships are there? A handful? Most of these fellowships only accept 1-2 NPs a rotation, you need to have a few backup plans.

[Lovescience]

Fair point, I have a back up plan. I understand it is difficult to land those residency/fellowship positions. Let's assume I was accepted into a fellowship, would that prepare me and qualify me to take care of acute patients in the ER? I know this will be a small sample size, considering the few ER NP residencies out there are, but has anyone on here done and ER residency? That's probably what I should've started with.

[Avenger1]

Any ED I have worked in ONLY hired FNP's due to the necessity to see kids. And nowadays ED Fast Tracks and sub-acute areas (where most ED NP's are working) are many people's primary care. You will be well prepared as an FNP without a fellowship or residency.

[Dranger]

Fair point, I have a back up plan. I understand it is difficult to land those residency/fellowship positions. Let's assume I was accepted into a fellowship, would that prepare me and qualify me to take care of acute patients in the ER? I know this will be a small sample size, considering the few ER NP residencies out there are, but has anyone on here done and ER residency? That's probably what I should've started with.

I think FNP would be adequate for fast-track but a work up for an ICU admit? Probably not.

My hospital has FNPs in fast track and ACNPs who come down to admit. No ACNPs in the ED. Patients that are admitted are seen by an ED doc 90% of the time.

[Chen808]

Many FNPs work the EDs in my city and not just the fast track. Granted the more acute patient are managed by the physicians but that is still a small percentage of the overall ED population.