NPs in EM?

I have seen FNPs working fast track and urgent care. There are a handful of emergency room np programs around, and I know of a post masters certificate (for fnps only) in urgent care.

A FNP can probably see the majority of ER patients colds, medication refills, but would probably never be too involved with major trama or similar. Unless you were only provider in a small er.

In the ED where I work, we utilize both NPs and PAs. The NPs have more autonomy in Kentucky. The docs prefer NPs there, because they don't have to sign the NPs charts or Rxs. They have to sign everything the PAs do. All of the NPs are family nurse practitioners. One NP told me he done his specialty in, I think, acute care, which didn't allow for him to see peds patients, so it was hard for him to get a job in a ED. He went back and got his pediactric specialty as well, and then got a job easily. The family practice NPs are allowed to see peds patients. They also work in fast track, but in the main ED as well. They only work the mid-shift when there is triple or double coverage, as they are limited in the patients they can see. They don't see major trauma. They usually see the lower acuity patients, but if a patient turns out to be more complicated than planned, they still continue care, but an MD is there for consultation if need be. Some hospitals in Kentucky still only use PAs though. It depends on the facility. NPs can now get DEA numbers in KY though, and can write narcs with certain regulations. NPs are becoming more and more common in emergency departments where I'm at though.

FNP's often work in the ED for the same reason noted above. we can care for all ages, I have a friend that is an ACNP and she had a hard time finding a position in an ED that had peds, she had to travel to an ED that is only adult.

FWIW, Vanderbilt has a program where you get both the FNP and ACNP degrees and it's geared specifically towards ERs.

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/fnpacnpec.html

We have FNPs that run the fast track. Also have ACNPs that provide care on the minor and major sides.

I work in Trauma stepdown in a Level 1 Trauma Center in PA. For years they've only hired PA's (they take trauma alerts at times) but mostly follow patients through their inpatient stay with us. They rotate between peds/picu/trauma-neuro icu/trauma step down. They have just hired there first NP and he is an acute care NP so cannot see the peds patients. As a result, he's thinking of going back to get cert'd for peds or fnp however it works. Sure makes it seem worth it to get the FNP to begin with.

Too bad there are't acute care programs that include the lifespan... or are there?

Hi suemom2kay, I'm from Philly area. That's what I've seen as well, there are plenty of PAs work in the EM etc, but not much of NPs. Do you mind telling me which hospital would that be? Just curious since I'm from the area as well.

I work in Trauma stepdown in a Level 1 Trauma Center in PA. For years they've only hired PA's (they take trauma alerts at times) but mostly follow patients through their inpatient stay with us. They rotate between peds/picu/trauma-neuro icu/trauma step down. They have just hired there first NP and he is an acute care NP so cannot see the peds patients. As a result, he's thinking of going back to get cert'd for peds or fnp however it works. Sure makes it seem worth it to get the FNP to begin with.

Too bad there are't acute care programs that include the lifespan... or are there?

Hi suemom2kay, I'm from Philly area. That's what I've seen as well, there are plenty of PAs work in the EM etc, but not much of NPs. Do you mind telling me which hospital would that be? Just curious since I'm from the area as well.

The NP has been a nice adition, BTW. Lots of flight exp.

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Allentown

Hi. I'm an adult acute/critical care NP student and I'm going to be starting my first NP clinical rotation in a small community hospital's emergency dept. Any advice from ER NPs about how I can prepare for my clinical? I already bought books/pocket guides on radiology 101, a small pharmacopeia (excuse my bad spelling!) book, a differential diagnosis book, and an ER pocket guide. I also have a PDA. But are there any tips you may have for me? I'm excited and nervous to start my NP clinicals!!! :)