dana16

I am starting a three year BSN to DNP program in the fall, and I was wondering if after the first two years when you technically have your masters degree if you can then take your boards and begin working as an NP while finishing the doctorate portion of the degree? Has anyone ever heard of this or done this? Thanks!

Networking is huge for any job. If you can find a CNA job or something on L&D while you’re in school that would give you an advantage over others because they actually know you. Getting your senior preceptorship there could help as well. As far as other ways to stand out when you’re getting closer to applying, you can join AWHONN, take AWHONN’s intro to monitoring, doula certify or take a doula workshop, etc. Good luck!

I agree with the other posters that Intro to Fetal Monitoring by AWHONN is a better option for you right now! It’s better to take a certification exam when you use and apply it every day, plus it’s expensive so your med surg floor may not reimburse you for it since it’s not related to their floor. Things I did to stand out for my L&D interview were the AWHONN intro to fetal monitoring, NRP certify, and attend a doula workshop. Those things seemed to help me a lot! ? As far as studying for the C-EFM I mainly used the AWHONN fetal monitoring book but also the mosbys pocket guide. Good luck!

Was it hard for anyone to adjust to having two days off instead of four if you went from hospital to clinic?

I'm wondering how NP's feel about their overall quality of life compared to when they were RN's? Stress level, liability, pay, work/life balance, job satisfaction, schedule (is it hard to go from three 12 hour days to 5 days if you work in a clinic setting with that schedule?), etc. Thanks!

Thank you out so much for your insight! Do you think I’d still be eligible if I went for AGPCNP and got my RNFA? Also what is your scheudle like? Do you work three 12’s or do you have a mon-fri type schedule?

I’m just evaluating my options for what specialty to choose for NP school. I have a lot of interests and I’m trying to to choose specialty that could cover as many interests as possible to give me freedom in my career to do different things. I’m interested in primary care clinics, surgical settings, and women’s health (for example I saw an opening for a fertility NP and I could maybe see myself doing that). The only thing that doesn’t really interest me is working with children, so I thought AGPCNP would be a great option if they can also work in women’s health settings. My nursing background is in women’s health and it would be hard to accept the idea that I couldn’t return to it someday if I chose to.

Can AGNP's work in women's health settings?

Thanks you guys!! I’m pretty sure that I want to do surgical, that’s what excites me the most. But I’m also afraid of limiting myself to that setting if I don’t like it, so I was hoping it would be possible for an FNP to work in a surgical setting. Have any of you heard of an FNP working as a first assist?

Long story short, I'm pretty interested in becoming an NP in some sort of surgical setting, but I'm not sure what route can best get me there. What is the best NP specialty to go for to someday end up in a surgical setting? Any surgical NP's have any insight as to the job itself as well? (what your role is like, schedule, etc). Is it possible for a FNP to work in a surgical setting? Thanks!