Peadiatric experience and FNP job.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Hi everyone! I am a pediatric CVICU nurse and I just finished my first year in FNP school. I have been a nurse for over two years now and the majority of my experience has been in peds CV. I am worried that it will affect my chances of getting a job as an FNP if I do not get an adult experience before I graduate.

Am I right to be worried about this? Do I have to change jobs before I graduate? I am hoping to work in a family clinic upon graduation.

PS: I have about 4 months experience as a home health nurse PRN and about 5 months experience as a correctional nurse PRN.

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My RN experience is pedi CVICU and PICU. I did not find it a detriment to my finding a job. The only reason it even came up is that most people who interviewed me went out of their way to explain exactly how much time I would be spending with pedi patients. I just always reiterated that my degree allows me to see patients across the lifespan and that my clinicals allowed me time with both adult and pedi populations so that it would not be an issue.

That being said, I tried to switch to an ER position while I was in school because I thought it would be helpful to experience a more broad population and set of diagnoses. I was not all that well received because in my area you either have ER experience or come in as a new grad (and I was neither). I'm sure if I had a contact in the ER I could have made it happen, but I didn't at the time. Either way, I think my experience is valuable in its own way and don't feel less prepared because I never switched.

It's all about how you sell yourself in the interview process and make the best use of your resources.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Thank you newFNP2015! This makes me feel so much better. I was so worried and like you I have been applying to adult ER but no response yet. If you do not mind me asking, what part of the country are you in? I am in TN. I wonder if location will make any difference.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

It won't hurt a thing. I chose psych NP and never spent a day in a psych setting. I worked two months finishing my master's in an inpatient unit. Not for me. I hate all things hospital. But I knew before and know now that psychiatry encompasses some of the most interesting science and pseudoscience in healthcare, and that's why I invested in it as an education, devotion, and career.

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You should be fine. There are many students in my FNP program who only have experiencing working with one specialty (ob, OR etc) yet plan on working in primary care or with a different population when they graduate.

Although, if you would like to change jobs then gaining a broader experience, esp w adults, may be beneficial. If you like your job and it works for your schedule then I wouldnt worry about it!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Im an FNP student; graduate Feb, if all goes well. Ive only done ER & ICU as an RN; EMS as an EMT. Im very grateful for the patho of the ICU experience and the fast & diverse exposure of the ER. I think If you challenge yourself in school & consistently choose assignments outside your comfort zone, then you will be great! Just take the hard path when your given options & research the things you dont know.

I think that since your concerned, its not a problem... if you were not concerned it would be 😊

Strong work!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Thank you all for the advice and responses! I am still looking for adult ER or MedSurg positions, but am not as stressed about it anymore.

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