FNP - to surgery

[Sun1]

Can you all suggest if an FNP can work in any of the surgical specialities, if so how can one do so?  Does it require any further certifications? If so, which ones?  

Does it require one go to back to school to get the Acute care NP certification?   

Many thanks for all your kind suggestions!

[matthewandrew, NP]

I see FNP work in surgery all the time. Of course it’s not recommended, but it happens. Just make sure you’re trained and review your standardized procedure. 

[Tegridy]

I mostly see PAs on the surgical services but have seen a few NPs. I don't know what they do in the oR (I guess first assist) but they all seem to be used as assistants for rounding on patients. I think where I work trauma surgery has some FNPs though. Ortho, ENT, neurosurgery seem to have more PAs but it might just be the luck of the draw where I work.

[Yudemis Rodriguez]

I am an FNP that works in a surgery clinic (breast cancer). I used to be an OR nurse which is how I made my employment connection. I work alongside other NPs who are also FNP. We did not have NPs in the OR though. However, a neighboring hospital does use NP as first assist. I imagine some requirement is OR experience. 

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

I'm a FNP who works in surgery. I first assist in our hospital's sub-specialties; Urology, ortho, breast, ENT, plastics. In my state I need a RNFA to be in the OR as an FNP. My background is as an OR RN. I made a lengthy post about my path a couple years back, you can hit my profile and find it I think.

Good luck!

[Sun1]

2 minutes ago, Alicia777 said:

I'm a FNP who works in surgery. I first assist in our hospital's sub-specialties; Urology, ortho, breast, ENT, plastics. In my state I need a RNFA to be in the OR as an FNP. My background is as an OR RN. I made a lengthy post about my path a couple years back, you can hit my profile and find it I think.

Good luck!

Can you work as a hospitalist as well? And ICU's?

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Just now, Sun1 said:

Can you work as a hospitalist as well? And ICU's?

Hospitalist-I would think so, although all of our hospitalists are MDs. ICU I think Acute care NP is going to make more sense these days.

[Sun1]

2 minutes ago, Alicia777 said:

Hospitalist-I would think so, although all of our hospitalists are MDs. ICU I think Acute care NP is going to make more sense these days.

But you do have the privileges of working in the ICU even though acute care may be the way in the future?

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

1 minute ago, Sun1 said:

But you do have the privileges of working in the ICU even though acute care may be the way in the future?

So you're asking if my FNP allows me to work in the ICU? Yes. I've been helping out there from time to time. Two thumbs down ? LOL

[Sun1]

Just now, Alicia777 said:

So you're asking if my FNP allows me to work in the ICU? Yes. I've been helping out there from time to time. Two thumbs down ? LOL

You don't ike it?

[Kristiciamillo]

In order to work on the surgery services in the hospital setting- not necessarily first assist but just pre and post op, as an FNP only, is there anything you suggest doing to increase my chances of getting looked at for a job?