Need guidance RN-MSN/FNP

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Hello there I am hoping someone can help me out here. I am a new grad (2006) and I am currently persuing my BSN and then want to persue my MSN and then obtain my Family Nurse Practitioner. My ultimate goal is to be a pediatrician but due to having 3 small kids I am choosing to take the slow route and attend med school when my kids are older. Here is my question....is it true that Nurse Practitioner's are having a hard time finding jobs? I want to be a FNP and work in a pediatrician's office. Is that even possible? I am getting conflicting information and would love for some clarification. I would hate to do all of this work and spend all of this money to further my education if it is not going to pay off at the end. It is not all about the money but I just would like to know that I will be ok financially at the end of my education road. So please someone out there I would love all comments and help. Thanks!

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I asked myself this too, usually I just search for NP jobs in my area (state) and a bunch of positions come up, so that helps ease the worrying. Health care jobs will always be needed so I wouldn't worry too much.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The job market for FNP's in pediatrician's offices varies greatly from city to city. It's really simple matter of supply and demand.

If you live in a city where the local nursing schools produce a lot of FNP's and PNP's, you may have trouble finding such a job -- particularly right out of school. Such jobs are attractive and there can be lots of competition for them. So, if there is a large supply of FNP's and PNP's in the area, it can be tough. Pediatrician's will be more likely to hire someone with extensive experience as a pediatric nurse than someone right out of school and you may have to wait for your ideal job, and get the needed experience first.

On the other hand, if you live in a city where there is no nursing school pumping out large numbers of FNP's and PNP's, you will have less competition for the types of job you seek.

You'll need to discuss this with local people "in the know" to get a good picture of your local job market.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

llg is right - it varies tremendously. Best bet would be to join your state's APN organization and attend meetings, conferences so that you can network. It will also pay off in finding clinical sites easier. Good luck.

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I live in NY and there are multiple programs that offer wither FNP or PNP degrees but the majority of NP's in pediatric practice are FNP's. A friend of mine (recent grad 5/20/07) was offered a position in a pediatric office.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
i am currently persuing my bsn and then want to persue my msn and then obtain my family nurse practitioner. my ultimate goal is to be a pediatrician but due to having 3 small kids i am choosing to take the slow route and attend med school"

why would you want to go to medical school after becoming a nurse practitioner???

in some states (new mexico) np's have independent practice, can open your own clinic, without any md supervision, so i guessi don;t understand why you would want to do both np & medical school.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I agree -- kind of crazy to pursue your NP and then pursue med school later. I would personally do one or the other.

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