Scope of Practice information.

I will definitely pursue my practitioner. It the roles offered there that finally gave me the nudge to choose nursing. I actually want to pursue a DNP, but we'll see if I get that far. Psyc does not call my name, but I'm open. What do you mean by headache? Also, I think I understand what you mean buy provider role, but would you be willing to clarify that

Headache - a specialty that only treats headache disorders.

Provider - patient evaluators and orderers of treatment, doc, NP, PA, etc. Not nurse.

Psych - the specialty where gross medical things almost never happen!

How about that headache was as intuitive as it sounded. That's a lot of the reason I want to get my practitioner as soon as I can. I am very much interested in the provider role.

I lived in Texas and tried to find specific rules as far as FNP and like was mentioned above they do not exist. It depends on the facility and your comfort level. I worked in a facility where FNPs were not hired for IP and across the street the hospital used FNP IP and in the ED.

And I don't think there is enough research in the world to tell me exactly where I want to take this. I just need to point in a general direction, get some experience, and see where I land. Heck, the last 9 years I worked on Robotic Submarines, that 11 years ago I never new existed, and I loved that job. So for now, the general direction is BSN/RN, get a job, start on my Masters/NP, most likely in Family, but we'll see.

And I don't think there is enough research in the world to tell me exactly where I want to take this. I just need to point in a general direction, get some experience, and see where I land. Heck, the last 9 years I worked on Robotic Submarines, that 11 years ago I never new existed, and I loved that job. So for now, the general direction is BSN/RN, get a job, start on my Masters/NP, most likely in Family, but we'll see.

Have you considered physician assistant? No need to pick a specialty. Similar scope. More depth of science in training. More exposure to the medical specialties.

Cons: "assistant"

Pfeeal with the gross medical things, if by gross you mean icky, rather than the significant medical conditions I see often enough in psych. Suicide, overdose, delirium, teratogenic renal/hepatic injury, dystonia, NMS, self-injury actually resulting in a significant injury....

And actually now that I think of it there is no shortage of gross medical things on the inpatient psych unit. Can I tell you how many scrotums I've seen in a specialty that is supposed to be focused >3 feet above the pelvic region?????

Ok so, I have zero interest in inpatient and think of it as a far off, indelicate land psych patients some times go from which they often return taking unsuitable medication regimens.

Regarding gross things, I don't get puked on in the office, I'm not close enough to really get coughed on, no one is changing diapers or sticky wound items, etc. No one has to reveal their genitals here, and when someone pooped last is never brought up. The ickiest I've seen is a bottle of Apple juice spilled on the far side of my desk. I handed the parent a can of Clorox wipes and some take out napkins.

All of the conditions you mentioned don't typically involve one of my five sense organs to such a degree I feel primordial.

Got it was seeking clarification on gross vs gross and you are correct that the gross and gross things I've witnessed were inpatient and not outpatient. Unfortunately where you will feel the burn is when you experience your first suicide. Horrible, puckerable moment you won't ever forget.

I've actually been witness to a guy killing himself. I've been around a lot of that although not under my clinical care. I'm sure it'll be something to add to my box of traumas and callouses.

Have you considered physician assistant? No need to pick a specialty. Similar scope. More depth of science in training. More exposure to the medical specialties.

Cons: "assistant"

I did investigate it. My bride (who is an RN) said she felt there was fewer positions for PA's. Another major factor is that I'm nearly 38 with a family to provide for. In about 30 months I can have my RN and make a decent wage, then continue to my NP. I don't see that "mid-point" in the PA path.

I did investigate it. My bride (who is an RN) said she felt there was fewer positions for PA's. Another major factor is that I'm nearly 38 with a family to provide for. In about 30 months I can have my RN and make a decent wage, then continue to my NP. I don't see that "mid-point" in the PA path.

There isn't. Same reason I'm not a PA.

While not the scope of the practice, you can look at the test outlines for the national certification examinations. This will give you an idea what is expected of the NP in the particular specialty. ANCC, AANP, NCC, PCNB and AACN Certification Corporation all offer certification exams for NPs. The test outlines are all based on task analyses that survey NPs in the field for what they do based on frequency and criticality of the knowledge or skill. Some state boards use the knowledge and core competencies that are tested on the certification exams as the basis for the scope of practice.