thoughts/advice welcomed........

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Hi all; I am an ADN looking to go back to school for my NP. I took boards last October and was greeted with hiring freezes at the hospitals in my area, and in general, a less than desirable job market (like many places, I guess!) I took a job at a pediatric home health agency. I love my job, but am very concerned that I'm not getting the experience and training that is needed for future positions.

My main question is, if I wanted to be a FNP, is it better to try to get RN experience in a hospital or clinic? I am willing to relocate for a job, but I want it to count towards gaining knowledge and experience toward the NP. If a hospital position, is med-surg the way to go? I am not a type A adrenaline junkie personality and did not really like med-surg clinicals in school, but I desperately want to be well-rounded and am willing to bite the bullet for the sake of getting good experience.

Thank you for any thoughts on this; I really appreciate it.

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Specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP).

I would suggest trying to pinpoint which specific population you'd like to work with as an FNP and try to find a job working with that population that is bearable and would allow you to go to school without too much stress! I think almost any job in the field would give you some applicable experience, given the broad scope of practice of the FNP. Good Luck!

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I am sure my opinion will spark some controversy, but here it is anyway.

I truly see no benefit of working in Med-Surg prior to becoming an FNP. Other than the obvious differences, Inpatient vs. outpatient, acute illness vs. chronic illness, etc., working in MedSurg at my hospital typically means taking care of 6-7 very ill patients which may help with time management but not ideal learning conditions. Honestly, working in a doctors office with the population you would like to work with as an FNP would be much more valuable in my opinion. You would learn about the commonly used drugs, see what labs the provider was ordering for what c/o, etc.

Also remember, there are direct entry FNP programs. In theory, the MS program you enroll in should teach you all that you need to know to be a safe and effective new NP regardless of your prior RN experiences. Any experience you get will only add to your knowledge base and hopefully enhance your NP practice.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Yup, gotta agree with Sheri. A good school will teach you what you need to know.

Grad school is tough, don't add to the stress with a job that you don't like and you won't enjoy. If you love doing what you are doing, keep right on doing it. You'll be surprised how much you are learning and how much will apply to your FNP program. This is coming from a person who is a L&D nurse in a FNP program, BTW :lol2:

My FNP program has all kinds of nurses BTW. Home Health, Hospice, ICU, ER, L&D, Peds, NICU, Interventional Radiology, Cardiology, OR, Nursery, etc... We pretty much have someone from every nursing field their is. We even have several that no longer do direct bedside nursing and are caseworkers.

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Thank you Smitty, Sheri and mom2! I really appreciate your thoughts and wisdom.

What I *really* want to do is medical missions; clinic work or outpatient surgeries, a la Operation Smile or Mercy Ships, in Africa...... but this will be a few years down the road after my children are grown. Y'all got me thinking that it probably would be a good idea to look for work in a community health clinic setting.

I am officially excusing myself from seeking out med-surg positions (thanks for helping me do that!). I just don't learn/function under loads of stress and time pressures.... God bless those that can; I'm just not one of them.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my post!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi,

I am a new grad FNP from a direct entry program. I have never worked as an RN, and although I believe the experience would be valuable, it's just not the path I chose to take. My choice was reinforced by the fact that there are no RN jobs in my area, but many NP jobs. I'm in week 3 of my first NP job and it's going well.

Just my thoughts and experience.

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Congrats to you BCgrad! May you have many happy years in your career!

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Hi,

I know that this may spark some controversy but I believe you should get some experience. There is nothing like "good ole patient experience" to help you in your endeavors. I certainly don't like what is happening in nursing right now- but experience will help you out especially with NP school. You will be able to apply what you have learned and also increase your knowledge with patient assessments. Just my opinion.

Beth

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I've been an APN for 3 years now and was an RN for 12 years and an LPN for 2 years. I always knew I would want to work in the ER as that was the majority of my nursing experience and I loved it. I am a type A and love excitement and chaos.

I say this and then state: everyone likes something different. What may work for me, would not work for the next person. Personally, I would be bored stiff in an office. So....I got experience outside the office setting.

To each his own. We are all so fortunate that nursing gives us ample opportunities to pursue what excites us. Good luck in your career choice.

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Specializes in STICU/NICU/CCU/ER.

As an ER / ICU nurse, in my last year of my FNP programme, I have noticed those of us with the clinical experience definately have an easier time, both in clinicals and in many classes. It has also been a help in getting practice sites, whichs is not easy in a smaller area with a PA program and med school in the area and all students looking for sites. The students with little or no RN experience have verbalised there frustrations in the clinical expectations they have faced, during there clinical roatations. Just my 5 cents!

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Always good to go to to a school that provides clinical sites for you

Seems alot of people have frustrating experiences finding their own

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