FNP roles

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I am interested in hearing from some FNP's and the various roles and settings in which they work. I am considering getting and FNP, but am more interested in a specialty clinic (i.e. cardiology) or possibly a role in acute care. I am not certain what is possible to do with an FNP, I know that it can vary from area to area.

If some NP's could post their education/experience background and the roles they work in it would be a help. There is a lot of confusion about what you can or can't do with a certain NP degree. I just don't want to get a degree then find out that what I want to do requires something completely different!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, leaflet,

You are wise to ask these questions. Research your own area and see what the market will bear.

I'm an OB/GYN NP and FNP. In the past few years, I've worked exclusively in rural health clinics. Also, I do ED at some of the hospitals as the HCP.

Good luck with your decision/s.

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Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

Hi Leaflet, I am currently in my second year of an FNP program in Oregon. Around here we have FNP's who work in urgent care, ER, women's health, primary care, cardiology...you name it. FNP's are well regarded and have many priviledges in Oregon. Our state is pretty progressive that way. FNP's can have a private practice as well. I will tell you that there are a few students in my program who already have their ANP and found it too limiting in terms of the age group/type of patients they could care for, so they are back getting their FNP. In terms of education and experience, there are varied backgrounds. As you mentioned, different states have varying requirements for FNP's. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work with three FNP's and I'm a CNS. We do medical management of dialysis patients and take ER call for our nephrology practice.

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Hi Zias - Can you elaborate more about how it is to work in Oregon as an NP? Where are you going to school?

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Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

Hi Midget,

I am going to Oregon Health Sciences University. Their main campus is is Portland, but they have other campuses in Ashland, La Grande, and Klamath Falls.

Visit their website: This link talks more about the specifics of the FNP profession.

http://www.ohsu.edu/son/academic/ms-fnp.shtml

Also, visit the website for the Oregon Board of nursing for information about the specific rules in Oregon in how NP's can practice, things they can and can't do.

Most of the FNP's I work with were RN's for many years before going back to school to get their NP. Building on experience in nursing is valuable. You need to have a Bachelor's degree and RN plus experience in order to get into the program, which is a combination Master's and FNP program.

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Thanks for the quick reply...

I figured it had to be either University or Portland or OHSU, and thought you must be attending the latter, since it seems to be the most known around here. I just went to their Question and Answer session yesterday regarding their BSN program. Do you have any idea where you would like to work when you finish up? :)

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