Gero NP dreams vs. experience

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I'm going to school to be a gero NP. I envision that one day I'll be working in a LTCF or perhaps rehab. My concern is that I imagine I'll never actually work as an RN on the floor of either of those places before setting foot there as an NP.

I know there's a lot that goes on in your daily routines that I'll be clueless about. This concerns me because I want to work well with the nurses so we can do the best for our patients. I'm also worried that I'm not as exposed to the nuances how geriatric patients present their symptoms or how to manage them.

One thing I've thought of to solve this underexposure is to volunteer my time at LTCs so I can interact more with that population. But I don't think that is adequate. What would you think of an NP who came into your facility with no similar background?

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I understand where you're coming from. This is why I want to work for about 5 years as an RN before I pursue my NP...

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Honestly I might not respect your opinion if you had no real life work experience. I've had NPs in my building order vital signs every hour for some minor thing, not even thinking that the nurse has at least 19 other patients to deal with.

You just know these nurses never worked the floor.

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Specializes in LTC.

Why wouldn't you work as an RN on the floor? I'm an RN in LTC/Rehab. I love it.

I would have more respect for someone who had been in my shoes, but then again our MD has never worked the floor and I have a lot of respect for him. I think the key to respect is receptivity. You need to trust the nurses and be receptive to their opinion and the same towards the MD (or NP or PA) from nurses.

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Work part time on the floor before you graduate. I believe you need that experience.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I guess my question would be hhow do you know this is what you want to do if you have no experience? Gero NP is a narrow field so if you don't like this, what is your next plan?

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I suppose I could work part-time since I am not contracted anywhere anyway. I'll definitely be that "substitute teacher" though haha. But that is a good idea.

traumaRUs, I can only say that I have always felt an affinity for geriatric folks. That doesn't automatically mean I'd serve the population well in the role of an NP but I can darn sure give it my best shot. Although I give my studies a geriatric focus (i.e. research topics selected) my degree luckily encompasses adult and gero so I'm sure there will be mobility.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I understand that sometimes life presents itself in ways that you can't work everything out perfectly, but I'd recommend at least trying to get some floor experience before the NP. Especially if you're in LTC, the whole system is a very new world, and difficult to get a grasp on until you're really involved. LTC as I have experienced so far, is set up to keep people safe and healthy, but the lack of time and resources to provide beyond the basic care has been a learning experience, and sometimes frustrating. Good luck in whatever you decide.

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