Jobs as Preparation for NP

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Hello AN, I had a question about jobs that are best for preparing someone for an NP program and later practice as an NP. I've heard a lot of people say that the ED or ICU are good experience for becoming an NP, but I have a bad taste in my mouth from working in a hospital as a CNA.

I am interested in working in long term care, but have had some reservations about that not adequately preparing me for an NP program/later NP practice and some have even voiced concerns about finding a preceptor/clinicals because of this. I'm pretty sure that I want to do adult/gero primary care as I really don't want to be messing with kids. I understand that the FNP is the way to go as far as having more opportunities, but if a job will not consider anything but an FNP it seems to me that I would end up working with kids (however rarely) and I just do not want to do that.

Would working in an adult primary care doctor's office be good work experience? I was thinking that this would almost be the best experience one could have if you're interested in doing primary care, but I'd love some more information/feedback on this idea.

Thank you!

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Are you a nurse? Nursing student? And as far as FNP's there really isn't more opportunities for them compared others, the field is saturated with FNP's and FNP students. Acute care NP's can work any setting besides with children, but you can always go get your FNP cert afterwards just to open opportunities more.

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Yeah I'm really more interested in primary care, not acute care

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

What specialties are you interested in? I think ICU is too specialized and not generalizable to primary care, psychiatry, and gynecology. Since you're not into acute care it's best to write that off, in my opinion.

The ED allows for a lot of breadth so it really is a good option. Like you, I hate hospitalzls so although I worked ED for a while...not again.

Urgent care is another good source for breadth leaving out the critical, vasopressor-related drips and ACLS mumbo jumbo of the ED. Primary care clinics are a good source particularly if with a liberal PCP, but the hours are usually business hours making academics difficult. BTW, there are a lot of FNPs. A lot. They don't really do any one thing well as they're true medical generalists.

If you like geriatrics, stick with the nursing homes.

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I would do nursing home if you like geriatrics. I was going to go that route but they offered me a supervisor role because I was a new graduate BSN. I didn't feel comfortable taking that role as a newby, so I decided to pursue a hospital job.

Go with what you like.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did adult ICU, peds ICU and 10 years level one trauma ER before becoming APRN - it prepared me well.

However, I totally miss the adrenaline rush that the ER provided me....like PsychGuy said though you either love love love the ER or you absolutely hate it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I actually came here to start a thread identical to this. I am an RN who has done long term care for 24 years. 9 as CNA and 15 as a nurse. I am looking at an NP education and was wondering the same thing about preparation prior to NP school. I actually have an interview coming up for a PRN hospital position, but I'm thinking I really won't enjoy it, just need the experience.

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