NICU RN to FNP

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I am a relatively new grad (Bsn) who is currently working in a NICU and planning on starting an NP program part time as soon as possible. I love my unit, but really don't like working 12s/weekends and know that I will want to work outside the hospital when I'm done with my program.

I would like to start a family NP program because of its versatility, but I am concerned that my NICU background will hurt me as a family NP. I currently am contracted in my NICU for 3 years so leaving and going to a different specialty isn't an option for me.

Has anyone gone from NICU to family NP before who can give me their thoughts? If not, are there any former NICU nurses who are now NPs in an outpatient setting that can tell me the path they took? I honestly love almost all aspects of nursing so I am open to any and all paths.

thanks!

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I am a relatively new grad (Bsn) who is currently working in a NICU and planning on starting an NP program part time as soon as possible. I love my unit, but really don't like working 12s/weekends and know that I will want to work outside the hospital when I'm done with my program.

I would like to start a family NP program because of its versatility, but I am concerned that my NICU background will hurt me as a family NP. I currently am contracted in my NICU for 3 years so leaving and going to a different specialty isn't an option for me.

Has anyone gone from NICU to family NP before who can give me their thoughts? If not, are there any former NICU nurses who are now NPs in an outpatient setting that can tell me the path they took? I honestly love almost all aspects of nursing so I am open to any and all paths.

thanks!

Hey! Currently doing this. I work in the NICU and go to school for FNP. LOVING every second of graduate school and all I'm learning towards the FNP track. I do have a med-surg/telemetry/travel RN background which makes grad school feel a lot easier for me (Patho, for example, even though I'm learning about things in much more depth, it's easier to visualize the signs and hallmarks and know what to look for because I'm actually seen and done it in the med-surg setting). And while I don't think having a NICU background will hurt you as the NP role is different from the bedside role and you have more flexibility with where you can work as an FNP, I think you'd have an easier time with grad school if you had exposure to the field of what you're learning.

It's not impossible. You'll just have to apply yourself that much more is all.

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