RN Experience for FNP

[Greenyday]

Greetings,

As experienced NPs, what kind of RN background do you think benefits the most to your practice (regarding critical thinking, skill development, career opportunities, role transition, and etc.)? I am an FNP student looking for a prn RN position. I used to work at the acute care setting, but now I am thinking if I should get some experience in the ambulatory/outpatient world. I understand that all experience matters, but I would like to hear your thoughts and stories.

Thank you in advance!

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

I worked CCU / ER / ICU / Endoscopy for a total of over 15 years. I'm an Adult NP in primary care private practice. I felt "ok" to start practice, but wasn't really comfortable until I had been practicing about 18 months. I have always said the first year on the job is really the last year of school. I love to learn, and I am always going to a seminar, taking an online class, reading.

[renzlao, MSN, APRN]

I think ED. You see majority of primary care stuff - sick visit in the ED.

I still work per diem in the ER. I actually supplement my clinical with my ER experience. I carry a notebook with me at work and start doing my HPI and PE with select patients I want to learn. Then I observe how the provider do their HPI and PE and ask them about their clinical decision , why they think this dx over the other.

[Greenyday]

1 hour ago, AnnieNP said:

I worked CCU / ER / ICU / Endoscopy for a total of over 15 years. I'm an Adult NP in primary care private practice. I felt "ok" to start practice, but wasn't really comfortable until I had been practicing about 18 months. I have always said the first year on the job is really the last year of school. I love to learn, and I am always going to a seminar, taking an online class, reading.

I can't agree more with you about "the first year on the job is really the last year of school." I really hope I could get into an NP residency program when I graduate, but these programs are so rare!

[Greenyday]

2 hours ago, renzlao said:

I think ED. You see majority of primary care stuff - sick visit in the ED.

I still work per diem in the ER. I actually supplement my clinical with my ER experience. I carry a notebook with me at work and start doing my HPI and PE with select patients I want to learn. Then I observe how the provider do their HPI and PE and ask them about their clinical decision , why they think this dx over the other.

That's a brilliant idea, using the work experience as clinical opportunities. I can see it really comes down to how you make out of the situation. Thank you for sharing!