NP school job advice?

[pinkpedsnurse22]

Hi all!

I currently work inpatient rotating shift (days/nights - no set schedule sometimes I flip in the same week) 3x 12 a week. Peds Oncology. This schedule has absolutely wrecked my body and there's some other factors on the unit I am just not pleased with and I want a new job. 
 

I am in a DNP PNP online program full time. I have about 1.5 years until I start clinicals. I know I will need to drop down to part time or PRN when that time comes. 
 

I would really love a job in the pediatric primary care setting. It would be a better schedule and align with my future goals as a PNP. I also think networking with providers would really be useful when clinicals do come around. 
 

Is this possible to do in an NP Program? Or should I suck it up and stay inpatient? Thoughts??? 

[FuryWin]

Hello!

I think that, given you are currently in school, it really comes down to what your schedule needs will need to be so you can complete your clinical hours. I've worked both inpatient (10 years) and ambulatory (9 years), am currently in PNP school, and while I can tell you primary care could provide you with networking opportunities, most clinics are M-5, 8-5 hours. I had to take a leave of absence from my job (ambulatory) to complete clinicals; you mention cutting down, but is it necessary for you to keep working? If yes, then inpatient (weekends, nights, etc) gives you more flexibility.

I also do not know how helpful a year of primary care experience as a RN would be for you right now; while my role in outpatient helped me in some ways, I  had also been in that role for 8 years....a year in and you'd still be learning the RN clinic role. BUT, if you hate where you are now, then I'd tell you to change for that reason! It's never worth staying somewhere you are miserable. 
good luck to you!

 

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Many of my classmates, including myself continued to work FT/PT/PD while in FNP school, so it's totally doable. Then again, it just depends on how much time is required for clinical allocation. The initial plan for my FNP program was 2-3 clinical days per week over the 2 years would have been enough. I do not know how many hours you need for a DNP program, how long the program is, and if you are able to extend.

As for networking, your place of employment which I believe is a hospital is the BEST place to find placement (assuming your school doesn't find you spots) with doctors. My main primary care preceptor was a hospitalist that I introduced myself to. You will be surprised, many hospitalists and even specialist do primary care out-patiently. 

As a side note, despite not being a kid-type of person/provider, I had a wonderful, great experience during my primary care peds rotation.

[Snowranger19, MSN, APRN]

I worked inpatient throughout my PMHNP program, including clinicals.  Have you spoken to your employer?

My work set me up with some clinical rotations there and allowed me to use PTO to take days off while still staying "full-time" on the unit.  They also were great for networking and would introduce me to others because they knew I was looking for opportunities.

In the end though, it depends on you and how well you think you will do juggling both.  Practicum was a lot for me and I know I couldn't have done 40 hours a week inpatient + school + practicum but there were others that were doing that!!