Need Advice!

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in NICU, PICU, mother/baby.

Hi all! I am sorta new to posting on this board, but lurk regularly and have a few questions regarding career paths. Sorry if these are repeats.

I have been an RN for almost 5 years. Most of my experience has been in NICU but have dabbled around many places and am now in L&D.

My first question is this..... I have always wanted to be a NP. At first, it was my dream to be a Neonatal NP, but after working for many years with them, don't want the high intense stress of that. I love the role of Midwifes, but don't want the liability and low pay/high hours of that.....so what would you reccomend for an advanced practice role?

I guess I am just confused now after having been around many roles, I can't figure out which path to take. I think a FNP would give me the most versatility, but I love OB and babies so much that I don't want to get too far from that. Any suggestions from those who have been down that path or others as to what the best route is for good hours, lower stress/liabilty but a decent pay compensation would be? I have some friends who are OB/GYN NP's and are working in L&D again because they couldn't find jobs and could make more money traveling. I am just frusterated because although I have wanted to to advanced practice my whole life, there doesn't seem to be a choice that is worth all the extra schooling and liability.

Could some of the NP's here just give me some encouragement that it is worth all the extra school and some direction as to what path to take?

Sorry about the novel......:icon_roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there and welcome to the APN forum! I'm a CNS (clinical nurse specialist) in adult health but there will be some of the NPs along soon, I'm sure. In general, though, when considering an APN role, look to what type of APNs are being hired in your area unless you are willing to move. In retrospect, I wish that I had done more homework in that area myself. I am marketable only because of my extensive acute care nursing experience.

Good luck...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello,

Agree with traumaRUs. Check around your area and see what the market will bear.

Sounds as if you do not want to "box" yourself in any one specialty area, so you might consider FNP. You can always add a post-grad certificate as WHNP if you are wanting that.

I did the opposite; OB-GYN first, then added FNP.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Hello. I too am a NICU nurse and I just finished my NNP training. Of course when making the decision of programs, I chose my true passion. I was initially enrolled in the NNP/PNP program but my program ended up dropping the NNP portion.

I ended up doing a year of the PNP and realizing I wanted to transfer to a NNP program. Funny thing is, prior to graduating I was already talking about doing a post grad certificate in PNP. When looking at jobs in my area I noticed there were not many PNP positions, but MANY NNP positions. Well now I am moving to a large city, and there are fewer NNP positions, and many PNP positions.

Definetly think about work hours, environment, and marketability when making your decision.

I know there were some programs doing dual FNP/WHNP - not sure if they are doing this near you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment