FNP to PA?

[danceluver]

Hello

Are there any FNPs in this forum who regret becoming an NP? Not in the context of advancing their education and moving into a provider role but that they went to NP school instead of PA school?

I have beyond frustrated that the only jobs I am able to get and eventually work in are primary care clinics. I know the FNP role was developed as an outpatient primary care provider but I didn't think specialities like EM, cardiology or orthopedics would be closed off to me. I have also been applying for fellowships and most of them only want PAs (even if we are all new grads). Hindsight is 20/20. I also did a direct entry program so I have limited RN exp (which was fine with my because I always wanted to work in a provider like role). I just didn't realize how much it would be used against me compared to new grad PAs.

Do you know of any FNP who went back and became a PA? Or would that just be ridiculous?

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

I am aware of FNPs who are in the OR as part of a surgical team. They were first assists when they were an RN then they had their scope expanded when they became an FNP. The job evolved while they were getting their education.

Few people qualify for this. And going forward as consensus model becomes more standard, fewer states will let an fnp near a hospital regardless of RN background. but that is a whole other discussion.

[danceluver]

Thanks for all the responses! I tried looking into doing RNFA on my own to make me more marketable. But I need a preceptor for that and no one wants to take on a student unless you're employed by them, but they don't necessarily want to hire you either bc you don't have the RNFA already. It's been a vicious cycle.

[danceluver]

Few people qualify for this. And going forward as consensus model becomes more standard, fewer states will let an fnp near a hospital regardless of RN background. but that is a whole other discussion.

Yes this....

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

To be more positive, I would honestly focus on primary care to get your feet wet and to really hone your practice. While primary care certainly is broader, it's a good option to get used to clinic environments, workflow, and master your patient assessment skills. In the meantime, you could feasibly work as an RN in a hospital per diem to get experience there to facilitate a post-masters acute care NP. Some schools may even wave the inpatient requirement by demonstration as a competent primary care NP. You have options. But it just might take you a little longer than you had hoped.

[broughden]

Hello

Are there any FNPs in this forum who regret becoming an NP? Not in the context of advancing their education and moving into a provider role but that they went to NP school instead of PA school?

I have beyond frustrated that the only jobs I am able to get and eventually work in are primary care clinics. I know the FNP role was developed as an outpatient primary care provider but I didn't think specialities like EM, cardiology or orthopedics would be closed off to me. I have also been applying for fellowships and most of them only want PAs (even if we are all new grads). Hindsight is 20/20. I also did a direct entry program so I have limited RN exp (which was fine with my because I always wanted to work in a provider like role). I just didn't realize how much it would be used against me compared to new grad PAs.

Do you know of any FNP who went back and became a PA? Or would that just be ridiculous?

If you wanted to work ED then you should have attended one of the available ENP programs. You can still apply for and attend a post graduate certificate program for ENP.

FNP's at one point could slide into an ER and train in the position, those openings are now almost nonexistent especially for DE FNP's with no actual experience in an ER setting.

[broughden]

You would have to complete the pre-requisites which involve 1-2 years of coursework. Much of this has time limits such as within the last 5 years. Much of your nursing pre-requisites will not count.

Sorry, but that is not true at all. It all depends on the nursing school and the PA school. I looked into the PA program Yale is now offering and I would only need 3 classes, about one semester, beyond my BSN prerequisites.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

we have ortho NPs. They are on the floor and in the OR as well as in the clinic and doctor offices. Duke has an ortho specialty certification program for ortho NPs. They can also be certified in ortho (NAON). I am a certified ortho nurse involved in NAON and there is a certification for NPs

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm a direct entry FNP who works in a specialty. I had 4 years of primary care experience before moving over into a specialty practice. I know of very few specialty practices (at least in my area) that will take on a new grad. I agree that your best bet is to get a couple of years experience in Primary Care, and then look to move to a specialty. You may find that you like Primary Care, or find that you're interested in a specialty that you never would have considered previously. My background in Primary Care was attractive to both of the specialty practices I've worked at. They liked that I had experience with the patient "big picture". You can also look into doing a post master's ENP or ACNP if you really want to work in the acute care setting.

Also, use of PAs vs. NPs tends to vary depending on your geographic location. Is relocation a possibility if NPs are under-utilized in your area?

[NurseTink63]

I dont know where your from but I have found the exact opposite in my area FNP and PA are interchangeable I do have a friend that has both but mostly because she wanted the extra knowledge. Good luck in your endeavors

[AggieMSN-RN]

As a UC Davis grad from a different program, I can tell you that the 2018 graduating class is the last one (at least for now) to offer dual FNP + PA certification. My understanding is that this is because of a decision by the PAEA (I think that's the name - the accreditation org for PA education).

[mahaandai]

Previous post from danceluver in allnurses.com

>>I am currently an American nurse. But have wanted to relocate to London for the last year or so. I am not going to pursue working as an RN in the UK simply because the process is way too demanding and from what I have read on these threads not a financially savvy endeavor. Hence, I am decided to redirect my career into becoming a Math teacher.

Danceluver, may I assume you are not even FNP? So why are you posting misleading title of FNP to PA? You seem to be quite confused, please decide first what you want to become, Math teacher in UK or PA or FNP, or RN with RNFA?

FNPs are independent providers in almost all states, and they dislike to be tethered with MD for supervision.

[Oldmahubbard]

NP's do dislike being tethered to MD's, but unfortunately they are not independent in "almost all states". Although the trend has been to increased independence.