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Discussion

peds np question

Hi all. I have been interested in becoming a NP, with most of my interest focused on becoming a NNP. I have been wondering lately if I would be more employable if I concentrated on pediatrics instead. After all the population of pediatric patients is much greater than the neonatal population. I do want to work in a hospital setting and I prefer to work with one or two patients at a time. If I pursue a NP in pediatrics will I be able to do this? Do hospitals employ NPs with a focus on peds or should I focus on acute care peds (problem- less programs specialize in this) or neonatal? Thanks for helping.:)

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    • Experts

    What population do you want to work with? NNP usually doesn't go outside the NICU and you need a couple of years experience in order to get into an NNP program.

    Peds would certainly give you a wider focus.

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    • Author

    Thanks traumaRUs. I am not sure exactly which population I would like to work with- neonatal or pediatric. I am currently doing my prereqs for nursing school and I will apply Fall 2011 to entry level masters programs. Therefore I need to pick a specialty before I really even have a chance to work with anyone. However I am going to start volunteering at a children's hospital in the next few months. I think a degree in pediatrics might offer a greater breath of job opportunities than neonatal but I am not sure. I am also trying to figure out if a peds NP works in a hospital setting and if so in what capacity.

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    • Experts

    Does your school offer a direct entry NNP? That would be very unusual as most of the programs I'm familiar with require two years RN experience at a level 3 NICU.

    Hopefully after volunteering and talking with some nurses in these areas you will be more sure of your goals.

    I'll be honest here too and say that since you don't really know what you want to do, picking the broadest scope of practice, ie FNP might be in your best interest. You could choose to work with peds if you wanted to then.

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    • Author

    Thanks traumaRUs. Three programs offer direct entry for NNP- Columbia, UCSF and U Penn. They require a 1-2 year step out in a level 3 NICU after the first year. I like your idea of taking a broad view, ie going for FNP. However these programs are highly competetive, UCSF recieves almost 300 applicants each year for that specialty alone. Perhaps I will try for pediatric NP instead, still a broad scope but not as competitive I believe. Also talking to nurses during volunteering is a great idea. Thanks :)

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    Thanks traumaRUs. I am not sure exactly which population I would like to work with- neonatal or pediatric. I am currently doing my prereqs for nursing school and I will apply Fall 2011 to entry level masters programs. Therefore I need to pick a specialty before I really even have a chance to work with anyone. However I am going to start volunteering at a children's hospital in the next few months. I think a degree in pediatrics might offer a greater breath of job opportunities than neonatal but I am not sure. I am also trying to figure out if a peds NP works in a hospital setting and if so in what capacity.

    I work inpatient peds at a large childrens hospital and have for 14yrs. I worked in PICU and now for Emergency services. Good Luck.

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    • Author

    Thank you viral 2010. Am I correct to assume that you are a pediatric NP? If so then it seems that a general ped NP has a lot of options in terms of working at a hospital. I like the idea of working in a NICU or PICU as well as other floors. Thanks for your response.:)

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    Hi!

    I'm not an NP yet, but I've researched this stuff for a long, long time trying to decide which specialty I want to pursue, and I don't think PNPs usually work in a NICU at all. So while you may be able to work in a children's hospital with a PNP, if you want to work NICU at all I think you have to be a NNP. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. :)

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    • Author

    Thanks SydneyJo1. It makes sense that to work in a NICU you need to be a NNP due to the specialized set of skills one would need to know. It does seem that from other posts that a PNP can work in PICU however. Do you agree? What specialty do you plan on pursuing?:)

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    Yes, I think PNPs can work in a PICU, as far as I know.

    I haven't completely decided which specialty I want to pursue. It is such a hard choice!

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    • Guides
    Thanks SydneyJo1. It makes sense that to work in a NICU you need to be a NNP due to the specialized set of skills one would need to know. It does seem that from other posts that a PNP can work in PICU however. Do you agree? What specialty do you plan on pursuing?:)

    PNP-AC training would be the best route for working in PICU and in larger medical centers, this would probably be preferred over those who are trained as PNP-PC or FNP. There aren't many PNP-AC programs. Currently, a list of recognized programs are available in this website: http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/ac/progs

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    I always thought I want to specialize as a neonatal practitioner.. whew i am so glad I didn't. I worked 3 years on Peds floor as a RN and we had to float to NICU. Now I didn't mind it so much, but I was so glad I didn't have to do it every day. You have the same patient, the same problem (prematurity), the same constant machines beeping ALL day long!! Yeah a few have other illnesses but really its not much variety. So if you like/need variety I would NOT go NNP route. But if you like working with the same type of patient every day then it would be good.

    The job market is excellent for NNP and the pay is higher then for FNP/PNP etc.. I think because it is very specialized and not that many schools offer the program.

    I was going to do PNP and AM sooo glad i chose FNP because you can do either or and have so many more options as a FNP. I'm working locums in a Pediatric clinic right now but have done mostly urgent care/ER.

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    • Author

    Thank you juan de la cruz and emtneel. Both responses were very helpful to me.

    Juan de la cruz, thank you so much for your input on working in the PICU. I especially appreciate the link to programs offering PNP-AC. I was looking at UCSF for that program but they discontinued it so this link really helps me.

    Emtneel, thanks for your perspective on working in the NICU. I have to decide if I can handle treating the same type of patients with the same type of problems on a daily basis. I'm not sure if it would be a bonus or drawback for me yet.I enjoyed hearing about your work experience. I didn't realize that ER hired FNP.

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