Good/bad idea for new grad FNP to specialize?

[abcdefg]

Hi,

I won't graduate from FNP school until Dec, but that's not stopping me from looking around for jobs. I happen to live in a college town that has a number of FNP openings in specialty outpt clinics, some of which are quite narrow in focus (sickle cell clinic, ENT). Jobs in straight up primary care are few, lower paying and tend to reside in outlying rural areas.

My question is, as a new grad, is it a bad idea to start off in a specialty? It seems I may lose many primary care skills if I do. Or, is it more important to cross over into NP practice any way I can, and not worry so much about developing a broad base initially?

Thanks

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Much depends on your area of the country. Where I live, APN jobs are hard to come by. Many of us took a specialty practice just to have a job. However, I do work part time in an ER and therefore use my assessment skills there.

[ANPFNPGNP]

Hi,

I won't graduate from FNP school until Dec, but that's not stopping me from looking around for jobs. I happen to live in a college town that has a number of FNP openings in specialty outpt clinics, some of which are quite narrow in focus (sickle cell clinic, ENT). Jobs in straight up primary care are few, lower paying and tend to reside in outlying rural areas.

My question is, as a new grad, is it a bad idea to start off in a specialty? It seems I may lose many primary care skills if I do. Or, is it more important to cross over into NP practice any way I can, and not worry so much about developing a broad base initially?

Thanks

Do NOT start off in a specialty as a new grad. You need to work a minimum of one year in primary care. Bite the bullet and take less money, you NEED a solid foundation in PCP before going into a specialty area.

[Gator FNP]

I would suggest a primary care office for experience. You will see everything from children to geriatrics. It will give you a good base on which to build. Do this for at least one year and then you will have a better idea of what specialty you would like and it would give you the experience to secure that position.

[VivaRN]

Are there positions in a specialty you like, or are interested in, or can see yourself doing for some time? I started in a specialty, but it's one that I love and want to build my career in. I don't regret it, but I can't see investing in that specialty knowledge if it's not where you intend to be for awhile. If nothing grabs your interest go for primary care.

[jer_sd]

This goes back to all new RNs need to work med/surg for a year mentality (which I don't agree with).

Out of school I went into a narrow area of practice, I still do primary care as part of that practice but the majority of my time is spent in my area of development. If I were to transfer to a primary care I would have a learning curve same as going to orthopedics or any new area.

I would recomend taking a job in an area you like or are interested in. Remember NP schooling provides a foundation for your development it does not teach you everything you need to know.

Jeremy