Specializing with FNP

[Chopper]

Hi,

I am living in a non metro area of Minnesota. I am starting an FNP program in the fall and will go full time for 2 years. I have already starting keeping my eyes open for various openings for NPs in my area. I get the sense that there could be a little "glut" in the market for basic FNPs. How does one go about specializing in a particular area once an FNP? (i.e. derm, cardiology, oncology) I am sure if I did enough research I could figure it out on my own, but thought I would check in here and see what others have experienced.

Thanks in advance

Chopper

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hello, Chopper,

I am certain you already have some pre-conceived ideas of what areas your interests lie. Go with that. Once you graduate, you can attempt to secure a postition in a specialty area that hires the FNP or work in a clinic as "basic" FNP seeing all ages.

It will take working in the acute area to discover what you want to do once you graduate.

Good luck.

[markdanurse]

Siri,

I want to be an FNP but work in the ER. My background is in ICU/ER nursing. But where I live, PA's are the provider of choice in the ER's. Furthermore, the BON in my state sought to clarify the NP role further by stating NP's cannot work in specialty areas such as cardiology or emergency rooms without obtaining documented evidence from a school of higher education of didactic and clinical hours within that specialty in either his or her NP program or after graduation from an NP program. Being that none of the universities offer post master's training in cardiology, emergency, urology, etc, how can the FNP possibly demonstrate to the BON adequate training in the area he or she wishes to work? Furthermore, how does an FNP break into emergency medicine when emergency physician groups seem hostile to NP's? How did you do it? I really want to do emergency medicine, but I do not wish to become a PA. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Siri,

I want to be an FNP but work in the ER. My background is in ICU/ER nursing. But where I live, PA's are the provider of choice in the ER's. Furthermore, the BON in my state sought to clarify the NP role further by stating NP's cannot work in specialty areas such as cardiology or emergency rooms without obtaining documented evidence from a school of higher education of didactic and clinical hours within that specialty in either his or her NP program or after graduation from an NP program. Being that none of the universities offer post master's training in cardiology, emergency, urology, etc, how can the FNP possibly demonstrate to the BON adequate training in the area he or she wishes to work? Furthermore, how does an FNP break into emergency medicine when emergency physician groups seem hostile to NP's? How did you do it? I really want to do emergency medicine, but I do not wish to become a PA. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, mark,

Really nothing you can do about your situation then, if the BON chose to restrict the NP in the ED.

In my state, there is no such restriction. I was fortunate enough to be associated with a progressive group of physicians and a hospital that was progressive as well. It took me a while to do this, I might add. I was already in a narrow specialty as OB-GYN NP and with the added FNP and years of experience in combination as an educator in cardiac and obstetrical emergencies, I was approached and presented with the ED position.

If you truly desire NP in emergency medicine, I suppose you will have to relocate to another state first of all. Then, you may consider ACNP with emphasis in trauma. That should seal your entry into emergency medicine. But, many states utilize the FNP in the ED. You will need to research this.

Good luck.