puttinontheritz

I applied awhile back and haven't heart a thing...

The job market around my parts isn't really that bad for ANPs, the thing is, I am not happy seeing patients in a clinic setting, listening to the complaints, patients who think they know more than you and give you that cynical look when you try to explain things to them...the grouches, the ones who expect you to fix every ailment, the ones who believe there should be a "pill for every ill" and I just all around don't enjoy being an ANP. The only reason I became an ANP is because it was the only NP program I qualified for, and at the time I figured I was lucky to get into any kind of NP program because the competition seems pretty fierce. I'm incredibly bored, I even spent $800 recently to get wound care certified. I am also going to take some neonatology classes through the education department at Vanderbilt University in September, though I'm hoping (but not getting my hopes up too much) that will help me get my foot in the door to a position in the NICU. I downloaded Merenstein and Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Nursing on my Kindle, which I am reading and would like to take to an interview to prove my interest in neonates. On the other hand, I do owe about $20k in student loans, my husband is pressuring me to get a job as an NP and thinks I'm being foolish wanting to change my focus at this point in my life. I see his point, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to do this. The whole reason I never pursued neonates earlier was not from a lack of interest but because I live in a rural area (NICUs are in the bigger cities), I was raising small children and had a host of other responsibilities that kept me shackled to geriatrics. I'm willing to drive the 1.5hrs now, but the opportunities are just not out there at this time. I applied to interview for a NICU position but was turned down and instead offered to interview for a position in the CCU...if I have to stick with adults I'll just find a ANP position. Ideally, I would work in the NICU a year, then start applying for post master's degrees for the NNP. Not only is the pay fairly hefty, I know I would find a delight in working with babies that I'm missing right now. Doesn't look like that boat will be passing my way at this point, though.

Will the competition ever ease up? I am even willing to move where the opportunities are. It just seems like the cards are stacked against me.

I guess I can load these texts on my Kindle?

I could offer all kinds of advice, but I'll save it (you'll find your own ways of making it work.) Just know (I'm sure you do) he will need all of your support. He Will rarely be around and will need to go off by himself to study. I used to go park the car at the lake and do my studying. You'll all feel like you're losing your minds but it will be worth it.

I understand how you feel. I'm an adult NP who is wanting to make the change to babies. I am lucky enough to be able to take some specialty courses in neonatology (even intubation on live animals) at Vanderbilt in September, so I am hoping that will let me get my foot in the door. Sometimes, you just need a change. This is a big one, but I would like to apply to a NNP program one day. I can't wait. I want to be a neonatal nurse so badly! Jobs are indeed hard to come by, but hopefully our time will come soon. Good luck!

I'm a new graduate ANP with no job. I know there are grants out there to help NPs start a business of doing house calls and such. Is anyone familiar with this? Also, how much does it cost to get a DEA license? We didn't go over things like this in school. Bad idea?

I don't know any NPs making less than RNs around here. I'm not working as a NP right now (I'm waiting for a job 10 minutes from home) but the jobs are out there, if you look on careerbuilder or monster you can find them. I also hear a lot of places are open to adding on a NP they just haven't advertised it. Becoming a NP is one of the most difficult things you'll ever do. There are times I wanted to quit, times I thought I wasn't going to make it, finances are tight when you have to work at clinicals instead of a job where you get paid, but it's worth it (to me.) My degree is adult/geron NP, btw. Also, a lot of schools are phasing out their MSN programs. Next year is the last year USA will offer the MSN. Then, they are going to DNP.

I know, it will be the newbie deal all over again.I can't seem to even get a job interview, though. I feel a little silly, maybe I'm in a mid-life crisis, but I'm just feeling like I need to move on from adults and enjoy the babies. I love those little miracles.

Oh no! I already bought the text and registered! It won't be a total waste, will it? I wanted to take all the other courses they offer...it just seems like it is so hard to get hired on in the NICU I was hoping to find ways to show my sincerity. I know you can't beat experience, but you have to start somewhere. Guess my zeal got the better of me.

I'm really wanting to break into NICU nursing. Vanderbilt is close to me and I registered for the NR course. They have other courses related to neonatology but said they strongly suggest one take the resuscitation course before the others. The NRP course (they said on the site) is good for beginners or people needing to renew their certification. I'm so excited, so excited! Does this sound like a good idea for someone wanting to break into this discipline? I'm very excited about it. I was also wanting to be a volunteer in the cuddler program to try to at least get my foot in the door somewhere.

I understand your frustration. I also have an MSN as an adult NP but I've reached a new chapter in life and the NICU is where I want to be. The more I look, though, the more it looks like the odds are stacked against me. I thought about volunteering in a rockers program to get my foot in the door, but I don't know if this will do it. I'd love to hear any advice or tips as well. There is nothing sweeter than a baby and I feel like it's where I belong.

I've never worked in a hospital before, so I'm excited. It's a small, rural hospital just a few miles from my home (I currently drive an hour to a nursing home job that is dead end.) I've been told as I gain experience I may be expected to float to ICU or the ER. This excites me as well. Is rural small-town hospital experience a good step toward maybe applying for a job in a bigger hospital that requires experience? I really wanted to work in the NICU but you have to drive 1.5 hours to a hospital that has one and even then the positions they are advertising for want experience. I feel like this is the opportunity of a lifetime (maybe I'm being simplistic, but it feels good right now.) I like to do a job that keeps me busy, and the NH is just not a challenge. I really believe the work will suit me. I worked hard to become an adult nurse practitioner but found that wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I just want to be a nurse and have the option of travel nursing one day. Wih I had done this years ago. Any advice or tips for starting out?

I'm wondering if it's just a crap shoot when you apply to a NICU? I'm willing to be treated as a new grad with new grad wages. Is there any advice for an adult nurse practitioner looking to make the switch? Naturally, after a time working in the NICU I would like to become a NNP. I'm also 36, do you think it's stupid to go from an established career to another field? I know a psychiatrist who was an oncologist before changing to psychiatry, but I don't know if I'm just being silly. I love babies, have four and plan to have a couple of mroe before I hang it up.