Should I work in ICU before becoming an NP

LM NY · Dec 2, 2018

ICU experience is not a requirement for NP programs. Don't waste your time. Although, your time really wouldn't be wasted, because you would be learning valuable skills in the ICU. Unless, you were possibly interested in CRNA in the future, which would require ICU experience.

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 2, 2018

If you were interested in AGACNP, then yes, ICU would be extremely helpful. But since you're interested in primary care, you're fine with MedSurg.

Cococure · Dec 2, 2018

As the previous poster said ICU will be great if want to do CRNA or ACNP. The ER in my opinion would be a better area because you will see many of the conditions seen in primary care and become familiar with the treatments. PA school is an option and the education follows a medical model. They do rotate in many areas and seem to have more flexibility but you cannot work at all in PA school. I wanted to do PA school but that was a major hurdle for me and the fact that getting in is very competitive. If you decide to do ACNP/FNP choose a school with a good curriculum and has admissions standards.

Good luck!

Guests · Dec 3, 2018

Hey everybody,
I am an RN on a Med/Surg floor working there for about 3 years. I've been thinking of eventually pursuing to become an Adult-Gerontology NP to work in primary care (I've thought about FNP, but I really have no interest in caring for kids or ob/gyn related work). I feel I'm more interested in primary care than acute care personally.
All that being said, I wonder if I should have some ICU experience if I plan on making the plunge for NP school. The main thing that concerns me is all the talk I hear around the forum about how NP school is usually grossly inadequate to prepare you to be an NP. I feel that maybe the ICU would give me experience that will help with the rest of my career. On the other hand, if I do end up going into primary care, maybe ICU wouldn't be as applicable as I think it would be.
There's also PA school and the fact that they can switch specialties and seem to have superior education is also something on the back of my mind.

There is value in every experience and if the ICU is of clinical interest to you then now is a good time to get that experience. If you are looking towards a PC-NP track (and want to work in primary care not a specialty practice) the ICU experience may be a double-edged sword, as some of that experience may run counter-productive to your primary care practice. Med-surg is a great place to be as long as you remained challenged. It also offers you stability while you learn a new role.

The PA route is totally different and comes with it's own benefits and drawbacks. Remember that for PA school you'd need to quit your job while NP school you may be able to continue to work in some capacity.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 3, 2018

Med/Surg is great experience. If you aren't looking to be an acute care nurse practitioner, you probably don't need ICU. I would think that ER would be great experience, though.

chiromed0 · Dec 4, 2018

For FNP I'd say no. For AGACNP or CRNA then I'd say yes as you will pick up things there that help. Lots of hospitals now are making a rule for AGACNP for inpatient provider and FNP for outpatient. There's lots of examples of cross over but I've noticed it recently on job boards so decide which kind of NP you want to be then make the call. If you want that experience anyway I'd say go for it--it's a little more interesting to be sure. I did some before FNP and I don't see much direct application but it helps to know some of the practices, protocols, and meds used.

ICU2NP · Dec 6, 2018

Meh, I would just worry about finding a place to work where you can get hours that will be conducive to doing clinicals, or a place where you can go casual or is low stress. I worked strictly ICU before going to AGPCNP and it didn't help much. It's an entire different world. I knew none of the meds in primary care because we stopped all their home meds when they were in ICU. I knew none of the outpatient antibiotics because we were giving broad spectrum IV antibiotics for resistant and rare bugs. Only worry about changing jobs to head to ICU if you are gonna do acute care and stay inpatient.

dudekim · Dec 10, 2018

I am also in the same bout. I worked two years at the Home Care and two years in the medsurg floor, before work at the ICU. I also started an acute NP program after starting working at the ICU. At the ICU, every day I see different types of critically ill pts, and I had more responsibilities and needed more critical thinking process. However, unlikely at the medsurg floor, I have time to look up the disease process and physiology, and I have more people to ask questions. I always had 5 or 6 pts on the medsurg floor when I used to work, so I never had time to look up anything deeply. Now, I round every shift with an intensivist, pharmacist, and RT, and this is the great moment to ask questions. I know ICU is not the requirement, but it's beneficial for the NP program because you learn details of the disease process and physiology, and you will understand better when you take advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Seasea122 · Apr 5, 2020

Am in ACNP program and I have no nursing experience am thinking about going part time my last to work in ICU, but ither ppl say residency is also as good, but competitive. Is there any NP here who think working in ICU made them a better NP or it didn't make a difference?