NICU nurse to PNP

babyNP., APRN · Mar 11, 2015

It's actually a common occurrence for NICU nurses to become PNPs, for a variety of reasons including that they want to do clinic work and have a M-F 8-5 schedule instead of 12s/16s/or 24s plus holidays/weekends like a NNP does.

Personally I never considered becoming a PNP because I only like neonates. I knew that I would not be happy working with older children. I ended up traveling 2 hours twice a week to go to school and keep my old job to do it, but it was all worth it for me. Most people in my former area of work did NNP school online.

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 11, 2015

I just finished a FNP program and there were some pediatric nurses in my class. Some OB nurses. They were all just as successful as I was.

One of my BSN classmates worked with peds only as she finished her FNP. She is now successful in an urgent care center working with all ages.

Your RN background will definitely make you more comfortable with that part of your NP training. I was terrified of peds (only worked adults) but now I don't mind them and do fine.

In the end a new NP employer will only care that you have PNP behind your name and are certified. Yes they may consider your RN experience too but that is definitely not the end all be all.

Do whichever path you want!

RNurse2414 · Mar 12, 2015

Thank you for the feed back. I am still researching, the the application doesn't even open for another 7 months. It helps to hear that others have been through this process & were just as successful regardless of which choice they made.

I would love PNP or nnp, as I do love working with babies & kiddos(when floated), but I think the 24 hr shifts would be rough.

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Mar 12, 2015

I am in an FNP program and there are plenty of classmates of mine (ok more like a handful) who are in the FNP program but only have NICU experience. They say they do feel that they have to work a little harder in class and clinicals because they dont have the same patient population experience that some of the rest of us do but they sure are making it work for them! Going from a nicu nurse to pnp im sure is much more common and doable!

babyNP., APRN · Mar 12, 2015

Well, I would venture to say that most NNPs do not work 24s, but they are out there for those that want them. If you want to do PNP, definitely go for it!

RNjazzie12 · Mar 14, 2015

Hello allnurses,
I've been a nurse for a little over a year and am currently looking into going back to school to become a PNP. I work in a level 3 NICU and attend deliveries along side our nnp for the day. I am blessed to have a job that doesn't have a delivery team, allowing us to be able to learn many skills while we still get hands on with the little ones. Anyways, I don't have any experience as a pediatric RN. With that said, I am debating on going into a pediatric nurse practitioner program. I would like to do the NNP program but there are none around where i live & im not certain how I'd perform after 24 hrs of deliveries and such. A few ladies I work with just finished up the PNP program and say they were able to keep up with the information, having only NICU experience, but haven't started their jobs as pnps, so I haven't gotten feedback on how they feel having only NICU experience in a PNP title.
Has anyone gone into a PNP program with only NICU experience? Did you feel like you were following the information in school & were able to keep up in the work setting as a PNP? Any NNPs / pnps weighed these options, and why did you decide on either one or the other?

Greetings!

I would just like to comment and say that I work also in a level III NICU (for 2 years now) and just recently applied to a PNP program. Sounds like we have lots in common. I love working with neonates but I am excited to see what it is like to work with children of all ages in the primary care setting. I have noticed that a good number of nurses going back to school for Pediatric NP. Seems like an interesting trend. I say go for what makes you most happy. Where is everybody from? I am currently in Texas!

RNurse2414 · Mar 14, 2015

I am also from TX. How exciting! How long does is take for them to let you know if you've been accepted?

RNjazzie12 · Mar 15, 2015

I am also from TX. How exciting! How long does is take for them to let you know if you've been accepted?

So I submitted all my materials which included the NursingCAS app, all the schools' required materials, and supplemental app all by Feb. 22nd. They told us we would be notified prior to April 1st of acceptance. Texas in the house! Whoop Whoop! lol

RNjazzie12 · Mar 15, 2015

Where are you looking at applying @ C2014RN

RNurse2414 · Mar 18, 2015

Texas tech & Uthsc.

RNjazzie12 · Mar 25, 2015

Texas tech & Uthsc.

I applied to UTHSC San Antonio PNP-PC Program. Still waiting to hear if I am accepted. PM me if you have any other questions :)