NP practice in Houston, Tx

[elmonorojo]

Good Morning,

I am currently an RN in the Navy Nurse corps, and my plan is to transition back out into the civilian market in about 8 months. I am interested in pursuing advanced practice. I can't seem to decide whether FNP or ACNP would best suit my interests and the ever-changing job market. I have experience in PACU, ICU, and med-surg; I have a BSN, speak Spanish, and certified CCRN. I hope to work in either an ICU or ER while I go to school.

I could see myself enjoying working 3 12's a week as an NP, rotating shifts, in an inpatient setting, or emergency department. I have heard there are jobs to be had like this, but I am curious if there is anyone out there with more direct experience. I wouldn't mind doing the 8-5 clinic type work either, but I think I prefer 12 hour shifts due to the flexibility in raising my children.

Can anyone tell me what is the market like right now for NPs in the Houston area? i.e. where are the hot areas, and what is not so much in demand? What sort of different types of jobs can one obtain with the ACNP training, versus FNP?

[BritFNP]

If you hope for ICU you must have your acute care. Some say that for ER, but I've personally known Family NP's that work ER. Family NP's do not learn the skills (intubation, central line insertion, chest tube insertion/removal, etc) and acute care NP would/does that you would need in ICU. FNP has greater marketability over all I think. Just depends on what your passion is. I'm in Austin and the market is terrible. Pay is low. Houston is better I believe.

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

Neuro, CV, and transplant is really big out here. It's all acute care, inpatient, and mostly closed units. Houston is big enough, that if you're a FNP, you can find something you like. Good Luck!

[Dougefresh]

As an FNP you will have a broader scope of practice. Newborn to geriatric. As the ACNP you only treat 18 years old and up. That may not seem like a big deal, but you never know what the future might hold. As an FNP with a lot of ICU experience you can make a decent transition and do the role of ACNP. And while you might would have the knowledge to treat young patients, as an ACNP you would not have the credentialing to do so. Think of an FNP like you do an RN. When you come out of school you're a blank canvas and learn the role of RN. You might work Neuro, Cardiac, Neo-natal.......etc. As an FNP you can land a multitude of roles. As stated earlier you never know what the future might hold for you. FNP training might afford you an opportunity that would not be to you otherwise.

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

As the ACNP you only treat 18 years old and up.

This rule actually differs in different regions. My state allows ACNPs to treat 13 years old and up. As an ACNP student, I did rotations in Internal Medicine, Ortho, ED, Surgical Telemetry/Stepdown, Neuro ICU, & Surgical Transplant ICU. All of these rotations were planned according to my interests (went on to become a Surgical NP/First Assist), so these were relevant rotations. I agree that you never know what the future holds, but I can say for certainty that I'll never have an interest in taking care of pregnant women or small children, so FNP was never a consideration. Good Luck to the OP.