Joining the Ranks Again (I hope!)

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Hi all!

I've been out of nursing school for almost 2 years, and I will be starting my Masters degree in the fall at Columbia University with the ultimate goal of becoming a Neonatal/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. So I'll once again be a "Male Nursing Student!" I hope you guys are all doing well in your respective programs. Though the end of the nursing school road seemed far off at times, it comes to an end... Just keep on keeping on!

Stephen

[Mexarican]

I'm curious...as a neonatal/pediatric nurse practitioner what exactly would you be doing? would you work in a hospital? Private practice? What exactly would be the scope of your responsibilities. I'm very interested in the NICU and PICU but i also want to do as you and return for my masters/NP.

Mex

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Well, I'm first going to finish my NNP, which will leave me about 15 credits short of a PNP, since most of the classes are common to both. I will hopefully work as a NNP in the hospital system, where the bulk of NNP's do. My job will involve rounding/writing orders, attending/managing high-risk deliveries, intubation, chest tube/arterial/umbilical line insertion, central lines, critical care ambulance and flight transport etc.... I will have a neonatologist to consult if I need backup, but I'll be able to be pretty independent once I graduate. I may add the PNP after I graduate to expand my scope of care from 0-2 to 0-17, and to be able to do pediatric critical care transport as well. I'll try to kee you all updated as I go along in my program. My recommendation would be to work in NICU FT and PRN in PICU (or vice versa) so you can get a feel for it and become comfortable in both areas, and with both patient populations.