FNP or PNP

[FL NICU RN]

So, I am currently an RN in the NICU. I am going back to school--either for a PNP or an FNP. I cannot decide which one! So my question is.

If you are an FNP or PNP--where do you work, where have you worked, where can you work???? hospital, outpt, etc, etc.

I just want to get an idea of where i might be able to practice for either.

Thanks so much!

Kristi

[whipping girl in 07, RN]

I'm a nurse, but I've worked with several NPs over the years. I think if you were an FNP you would probably have more flexibility as far as jobs go, but the reality is that any primary care areas are needing physician extenders (PAs, NPs) so if you wanted to do peds only, then PNP might be right for you. I work in a hospital so I primarily see FNPs working with a lot of different physicians...hospitalists, intensivists, cardiologists, surgeons, interventional radiologist, and internal medicine, while I see PAs working with all these specialties and many surgical specialties (ortho/neuro/cardiothoracic). I very rarely see patients in peds but I imagine they have PNPs there, and I know of several pediatricians around here that have PNPs in their offices. My hospital has partnered with Wal-mart to open clinics in their stores that are staffed by NPs instead of physicians, but apparently they cannot do the same with PAs because here the physician has to be on site for PAs to practice. Different states have different rules about collaborative practice, so check with your SBON to make sure your career plans fit within their rules.

Good luck!!