I've received quite a few PMs recently regarding how I became a surgical NP. Which specialty is the best route and in general what my typical day looks like so I thought I'd post something.
I started as an Med/surg nurse and then a travel nurse in cardiac step-downs but OR nursing always intrigued me. So I became an OR nurse and was there for about 10 years. My hospital had an excellent reimbursement program and a friend of mine had started NP school and I decided I didn't want to be a lifer LOL so I decided to start chipping away at an NP program too.
I always envisioned myself doing something procedural based with it. I didn't really see myself as a primary care NP so that was always my goal-although none of my training in NP school was in inpatient surgery. I decided to go with an FNP program figuring that that would be the broadest education. At that time the Acute NP programs were just becoming more popular-still I feel like FNP works well.
It took me quite a bit of work to get my first surgical NP job. I hounded my first boss with emails when I saw position posted and when I finally got an interview I really played up my OR nursing experience.
My training was all hands-on. They were generous enough to pay for my RNFA program-RN first assist program which is required in my state for all NPs to practice in the operating room. It Required about 200 hours of precepting from a surgeon and it took me roughly 5 months together these hours. By no means did I feel skilled at the end of those hours but I felt competent enough for small cases/closures.
I've been at it for about two years now and have since changed hospitals. I do not take call, work weekends or holidays. I typically round by myself and chat with the doctors either on the phone or via text. I assist in the OR almost every day and I love it. I feel like I'm getting a lot better. I occasionally see patients in the ER, consult and consent for procedures. I dictate on consults after speaking with the surgeon and discharge plans. I oversee patients in the day surgery unit and write prescriptions and orders for them as well.
I'm thrilled with my move. I feel like I've been able to spend a lot more quality time with my family and I even still moonlight at my old hospital for 'play money'!
I definitely recommend the specialty although it is difficult to get your first job and your foot in the door as we all know we are not typically trained this way so it helps to know people or to have the luxury of waiting for the perfect job.
Thank you for this! I was looking into that CRNFA thing and it is expensive and not much info. May I know what program did you go to for your RNFA?
I went to DCCC in Philadelphia. It was a worthwhile week on campus and the price is right. In my opinion, NIFA is the biggest rip off. So expensive compared to other programs and they all offer the same thing.
I've received quite a few PMs recently regarding how I became a surgical NP. Which specialty is the best route and in general what my typical day looks like so I thought I'd post something.
I started as an Med/surg nurse and then a travel nurse in cardiac step-downs but OR nursing always intrigued me. So I became an OR nurse and was there for about 10 years. My hospital had an excellent reimbursement program and a friend of mine had started NP school and I decided I didn't want to be a lifer LOL so I decided to start chipping away at an NP program too.
I always envisioned myself doing something procedural based with it. I didn't really see myself as a primary care NP so that was always my goal-although none of my training in NP school was in inpatient surgery. I decided to go with an FNP program figuring that that would be the broadest education. At that time the Acute NP programs were just becoming more popular-still I feel like FNP works well.
It took me quite a bit of work to get my first surgical NP job. I hounded my first boss with emails when I saw position posted and when I finally got an interview I really played up my OR nursing experience.
My training was all hands-on. They were generous enough to pay for my RNFA program-RN first assist program which is required in my state for all NPs to practice in the operating room. It Required about 200 hours of precepting from a surgeon and it took me roughly 5 months together these hours. By no means did I feel skilled at the end of those hours but I felt competent enough for small cases/closures.
I've been at it for about two years now and have since changed hospitals. I do not take call, work weekends or holidays. I typically round by myself and chat with the doctors either on the phone or via text. I assist in the OR almost every day and I love it. I feel like I'm getting a lot better. I occasionally see patients in the ER, consult and consent for procedures. I dictate on consults after speaking with the surgeon and discharge plans. I oversee patients in the day surgery unit and write prescriptions and orders for them as well.
I'm thrilled with my move. I feel like I've been able to spend a lot more quality time with my family and I even still moonlight at my old hospital for 'play money'!
I definitely recommend the specialty although it is difficult to get your first job and your foot in the door as we all know we are not typically trained this way so it helps to know people or to have the luxury of waiting for the perfect job.
Hi! Just seeing how you're still liking your route? I stumbled onto this post after posting the exact same post asking about it as a route quite some time back. Thanks!
Also stumbled onto this page (and late to the post).
All my nursing experience has been OR and while I want to pursue ACNP to be a surgical NP I worry that I'm not preparing myself up well.
Should I switch to floor nursing for the first year of school so I at least have some bedside skills? Should I do OR travel nursing for the first year to make $$ for school to offset the future debt/loans and maybe network a bit ? or build relationships with my current surgeons? How do I pick preceptors? Most surgeons utilize PAs and the few surgical NPs are at hospitals that dont allow outside nursing students. Are there surgical NP fellowships? Does the NP school name carry any clout?
woof. Sorry for off-loading, my mind is going nuts and I dont know what to do.
WOW! so glad to find this thread! I am about to enter my final semester of my ADN program and have been fortunate to have a few more OR rotations than most (as well as shadowing in the OR on my own) during school that have cemented my interest in working in the OR. I'm really hoping to work towards becoming an NP and have been advised to get my RNFA along the way. Ultimately I would like to work in ortho as an NP and be able to assist in surgeries as well as a clinical setting and rounding post operatively.
-From what I'm learning, to work in surgeries an ACNP is advised, but if I want to specialize in ortho (across all ages), would FNP work?
Also, I know it's advised to get years of experience, but I figure it will take me 3-4 years so I will be working while pursuing an MSN-NP. (I'm a second career student with kids and an unrelated bachelors, so I'm hoping to just press on while in school-mode).
-Lastly, if anyone has input on good online RN-BSN-MSN/NP programs I'd love to hear. I've been speaking with Chamberlain reps but have read some less than glowing reviews about the program.
WOW! so glad to find this thread! I am about to enter my final semester of my ADN program and have been fortunate to have a few more OR rotations than most (as well as shadowing in the OR on my own) during school that have cemented my interest in working in the OR. I'm really hoping to work towards becoming an NP and have been advised to get my RNFA along the way. Ultimately I would like to work in ortho as an NP and be able to assist in surgeries as well as a clinical setting and rounding post operatively.
-From what I'm learning, to work in surgeries an ACNP is advised, but if I want to specialize in ortho (across all ages), would FNP work?
Also, I know it's advised to get years of experience, but I figure it will take me 3-4 years so I will be working while pursuing an MSN-NP. (I'm a second career student with kids and an unrelated bachelors, so I'm hoping to just press on while in school-mode).
-Lastly, if anyone has input on good online RN-BSN-MSN/NP programs I'd love to hear. I've been speaking with Chamberlain reps but have read some less than glowing reviews about the program.
Thanks for any help!!
If you want to do surgical NP, steer clear of Chamberlain. I had a great experience there for my RN to BSN, but it was a complete 180 degree difference when I started the FNP program. I wasted so much time & money with them on the MSN-FNP and NONE of the credits transferred. I ended up going to a different program and I'm so glad I left Chamberlain. I do not care for their predatory tactics and they will accept anyone with a pulse and a promissory note. I, too, am a second career RN and this put me a year behind in my plans.
Look into UAB's AG-ACNP with RNFA if you want to do orthopedic surgical NP work.
I'm late to this post as well but have some questions.
I have been a nurse for 12 years. I spent 2 years on med-surg before going to the OR for 5 years. A move out of state led me to do preop and recovery for 1.5 years and then a few years in Quality. I've recently returned to bedside care working on a post surgical unit.
I'm resuming my FNP program in the Summer after taking a hiatus. I'd like to be a Surgical NP doing office visits, rounds, and consults. I don't have my heart set on scrubbing in.
I'm wondering if FNP is an appropriate program. I'm hearing a lot about the consensus model and wondering if anyone will hire an FNP for a surgical position. I chose not to do ACNP because I want the option to work with adults and children.
Do what I did - get 2 years of peri-op nursing experience then attend an ACNP program and RNFA program (can be done at the same time). You'll get far more surgical training than a PA (and make sure you display this on your resume and talk it up in your interview) and you'll be utilized just like a PA would.
@Dodongo Not sure if this was already previously answered, but can I ask which ACNP and RNFA programs did you do? Were they online? part-time/full-time programs? Thank you!
@Shereen Cruz thanks, super helpful. Wondering if your peri-op experience was hospital/inpatient? I'm starting out at an outpatient surgery center (due to family schedule) and hoping to move over to a hospital after a year. Have to work on my BSN as well unless there were a bridge program for ADN since I already have a different bachelors.
Is considering an FNP absurd for this path? (it seems like there's more bridge FNP programs out there)
.thumb.jpg.e59a161e7d6dbf7895a0b2c15cddf5b2.jpg){kind=small}
Dodongo, APRN, NP
793 Posts
I went to DCCC in Philadelphia. It was a worthwhile week on campus and the price is right. In my opinion, NIFA is the biggest rip off. So expensive compared to other programs and they all offer the same thing.