Peds ER NP

labrador4122, RN · Mar 15, 2008

I'm a nursing student who is interested in NICU, but lately, I've been thinking about other options as well. I really liked a PICU rotation I did and I worked in the ED (adults and peds) before nursing school and kind of miss it too. I want to eventually become an NP and I know I want to do peds. I know that it's much easier to find a job as an NNP than an NP in PICU or Peds ED. I was looking online and I see Vandy for example has a program to train NPs to work in the Peds ED, but Vandy's Peds ED doesn't seem to actually use them.
I've reconcilled myself to not doing major trauma (surgeons or at least EM docs probably handle this), but what are the odds of finding a job in a Peds ED that's not just fast track as an NP?
Like I said, I'm really interested in the NICU, but I'm just wonderign about options because I have been missing the ED and older kids a little lately too.
Bryan

Hi Bryan,

I work in an all free-standing pediatric hospital, and I know that in the ER and in PICU the NP or ARNP or PA are not used.

I've seen ARNP in the NICU working with Drs but not too often.

ARNP and PA's are used a lot in the medsurg units. I know in my floor, often I call them if I need something for my patients.

anyways, finish nursing school, then you will have tons of options, you will meet people that may guide you in your career best.

:nurse:

PedsED-RN · Mar 23, 2008

I am in the ED of a Children's hospital. We have a few NPs, and PAs that do usually do fast track, and triage level 4-5 patients. Overall in the hospital though, it seems like there are a lot of NPs-NICU, PICU/IMC have cardiothoracic surgery NPs for all the hearts we do here. I know at other NICUs in town use NPs too.

I am sure things vary state-state, so it probably depends a bit on where you are.

Hope that was some help, good luck to you! you will find something you like. =)

SanDgroovy · Mar 27, 2008

Hi

My current Peds clinical professor is a NP in children's ER! You can do it! Good luck.

Myscrubs · Jul 21, 2008

I agree with you bryanboling5 that it's much easier to find a job as an NNP than an NP in PICU or Peds ED. NP positions in the Peds ED are hard to come by, even a staff RN positions. I work as a staff RN and NP in the Peds ER in New York City. I work with an attending physician and we see all the pataients together. I don't need to be precepted, I see and discharge all my patients, unless I have a question regarding a management and diagnosis. I've been in the Peds ER for almost 15 years and still loving it, though sometimes it's becoming a "primary clinic" (clinic cases) for most parents.

I 've contemplated to become a NNP when our attending nenatologist offered me a position in our NICU, I've thought about it but 'chickened out' because of the L & D coverage when there's a delivery, though, i thought i'll be trained.

Majority of PNP positions are in the NICU, specialty clinics, some are in school-based clinics.

Did I mention that I'm a male staff RN/

PNP in the peds ER?

Good luck!