NP in Specialty

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I would like to get some advice from fellow NP's on applying for jobs in specialties without experience. I have been an FNP for 3 years, working primarily in family practice. Has anyone had experience applying for jobs in specialties without any experience in that specialty if the job posting says requires experience? How do you ever break into a specialty if they aren't willing to train? Should I apply anyway or am I wasting my time? Appreciate any advice!!

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Here is a new article on specialty transitioning, hope it helps:

Making a Switch on ADVANCE for NPs & PAs

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Nice article ryguyRn. I just interviewed with a gi specialty today .I only have experience as a student working in gi. I have applied and also interviewed for psych position as well. So I don't think it hurts to apply if it's a specialty you're really interested in. Who knows, if you are able to convey that in your cover letter, that may peak their interest and the may be willing to train certain candidates , just never know.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work in nephrology but had no experience in this field.

What I did was emphasize my quick decision making skills and ability to tell sick from not sick. I had been an RN for 14+ years prior to becoming an APN.

So....my advice would be to pull from your RN experience and emphasize skills that cross from RN to APN.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I started out in a specialty straight from school.

I don't think you ever need to be afraid to apply for a job even if you don't perfectly match the stated requirements. You don't know what the pool of applicants looks like and if anyone else is going to step forward with the perfect qualifications.

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Thanks so much everyone for your replies. Great advice!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Transplant.

I would apply! I'm a recent Adult NP graduate (primary care obviously) and have had a few interviews for a very specialty-focused position. Admittedly I did have some connections from my current RN practice area but it has been very interesting to me from the start of the process that I have been told that they actually like new grads...fewer bad habits/not using other facilities' protocols/etc. This was said by two NPs and an MD, btw.

Of course you aren't a new grad, but I guess I'm just telling you this to show you that you really have no idea what the interviewer is looking for and may be pleasantly surprised. I got the vibe during my interviews that they were more concerned about general intelligence, teachability/ability to realize when you were in over your head, and ability to collaborate were their priorities.

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