Question...do you ever see family nurse practitioners in the NICU?

[carolina_girl]

Hello all,

I was just wondering if you ever saw family nurse practitioners in the NICU. I'd like to work as an RN in a NICU one day, and also hope to one day get a masters degree. However, I'm not sure that the NNP route is the direction I want to take. I'm interested in not only the neonates, but the whole continumn of women's health, pregnancy, L&D, lactation, pediatric development, etc.... Not sure what kind of role that would put me in (if something like that even exists!), so I was wondering if you ever saw family nurse practitioners floating around. I'm not sure if such an acute care role, like an NNP, is for me. Just curious. Thanks!

[sparkyRN]

Nope...NNPs only here.

[fergus51]

I have never heard of that happening and I can't imagine it, unless the NICU was a very small, very basic unit.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Nope, only NNPs, and for good reason!

Besides, there is no rush! So many nursing students post that they want to be this or that kind of nurse practitioner - but it isn't until you start working as a nurse that you'll get a good idea about what fits for you. Many times it turns out to be something completely different than you thought. Some jobs look great on paper, but once you see them up close on a day to day basis, you might realize it's nothing like you thought. On the other hand, something you never thought was interesting might just become your passion. Have an open mind, enjoy your nursing school experience, and then try to get your first job in an area that you enjoy. Only after that will you start to find your way.

Good luck!!!

[Jolie, BSN]

We had a pediatric NP in the first NICU I worked in. She didn't attend high-risk deliveries, or admit babies who required intensive care. She focused on transitional-type babies, such as the r/o sepsis admits, IDMs, and hyper-bili babies. She also took long-term care of some of our chronic kids, and was a wonderful resource for developmental issues, vaccination recommendations, and mild health problems, such as ear infections.

We used to see a pediatrician whose wife was a FNP and worked in the peds office. She had always worked in peds, and was very skilled. She did most of the routine newborn visits in the hospital and well-baby visits.

[suzanne4, RN]

Nope, only NNPs, and for good reason!

Besides, there is no rush! So many nursing students post that they want to be this or that kind of nurse practitioner - but it isn't until you start working as a nurse that you'll get a good idea about what fits for you. Many times it turns out to be something completely different than you thought. Some jobs look great on paper, but once you see them up close on a day to day basis, you might realize it's nothing like you thought. On the other hand, something you never thought was interesting might just become your passion. Have an open mind, enjoy your nursing school experience, and then try to get your first job in an area that you enjoy. Only after that will you start to find your way.

Good luck!!!

Wonderful reply. :)

[FNGABE]

In my state we have certified nurse mid-wives that mainly function as a OB-GYN and delivery low risk pregnancies and help manage high risk pregnancies under the guidance of a OB-GYN.

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

NNP is a whole different education, clinical and certification exam than FNP - FNP does not have the training to do NNP role, NNP does not have the training to do FNP role. If you want to do both you can do that but you will spend another year or two in school, then the issue becomes documentation of types of practice so that you can recert for both!

You will change your mind 14 times before you get there anyway.

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

Actually - it sounds more like CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) is more along the lines of what you are talking about