Torn between PNP and Acute, also FNP thrown in there!

[2bnpcout]

Hey guys,

I've worked in a neonatal ICU as an RN for 3 years now. I also work pediatric home care per diem for 2 years now. I was initially going to school for physician assistant when I started school, but I changed to nursing to someday become a nurse practitioner instead.

I love pediatrics, I always have, its where I've worked and where I want to be. (I DONT WANT NNP, I work with em, don't want that!) At the same time, I must also take into consideration job availability and job pay.

I was initially considering PNP, but then I thought about going for my FNP and getting my cert in PNP to have both. Acute Care Peds NP is also of interest to me.

I live about 1 hour from Philadelphia, PA. My concerns are,

1. Which will give me most job offers?

2. Which of those three routinely offers the highest pay?

3. Is it truly that hard, to find a PNP job like I read, deterring me from going for just that?

Im planning on starting next year but I need to figure out what I want to do! What I want is pediatrics, but I also need job security and a job that is worth a decent NP salary. I dont despise adults, i could work with them with my FNP degree while I wait on a PNP job if needed.

Mike

[2bnpcout]

I wanted to say, as don't get me wrong, I do not hate the adult population.. I have just preferred pediatrics. A combination of FNP + Acute Care Peds NP to me, seems like the best combination? I would go for my FNP, and then get my post masters in acute care peds. I would like to give myself a ton of job options as I progress through life. Bear in mind, I have been considering np school for 2 years now, constantly going back and forth a million times, but I am nowhere near as smart as you guys on the topic! The way I see it,

FNP- Will give me options of Adult and Pediatric Primary Care Positions

Acute Care Peds- Will give me options of hospital based pediatric jobs.

Does that seem possible? I am moving back home, and doing this full time, only working per diem if I can.

[owler]

I have worked in NICU for about 15 years and when I first started a practitioner program, it was in pnp but after finishing all of the theory, ethics (basically non-clinical courses) I switched to fnp because I thought the job market would be better. I hated it! In fact, I actually burst into tears in front of one of my instructors because I hated it so much. She was really very understanding and told me that although I was doing well, life was too short to make yourself miserable. My advice would be, don't overthink it - go with your heart.

[2bnpcout]

I have worked in NICU for about 15 years and when I first started a practitioner program, it was in pnp but after finishing all of the theory, ethics (basically non-clinical courses) I switched to fnp because I thought the job market would be better. I hated it! In fact, I actually burst into tears in front of one of my instructors because I hated it so much. She was really very understanding and told me that although I was doing well, life was too short to make yourself miserable. My advice would be, don't overthink it - go with your heart.

What did you dislike about it? I actually truly love adult cardiology, that would be my second interest. I could easily see myself working adult cardiology. The reason I got out of it, and despised adult nursing was because I didnt like the glorified babysitter role of,

I want jello, I want water, your an a**hole, move my tissues here move my tissues there, etc. setting off bed alarms, walking them to the bathroom every 5 minutes when they dont have to go, etc. I like the nicu because I work at a higher level in terms of constantly monitoring labs, monitors, ventilator settings, drips, etc. As an adult NP, id be working at a higher level than pudding and bed pans, i would think.

Curious what you disliked!