Trends in NP practice?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

A fairly broad question, I know, but I want to know which way the field is going before I commit to it and to a specialty.

The problem is, as I've said before, it seems that every question about NPs can be answered with "It depends". Which doesn't really help that much, especially since I want to make a decision soon.

Just got my MSN, about to take the NCLEX, then start on a med-surg floor. If I'm going to further my education I'd like to do it soon.

Initially the plan was Tele--CCU--Cardio ACNP, but my Tele clinical was pretty boring, so I'm not sure that's the best path.

When I first looked into nursing I was interested in pain management, oncology, and hospice, and I could do any of those (or all 3) as an NP, but I haven't had clinicals in those areas so I'm not really sure what it would be like, or if there are any opportunities.

An advisor suggested psych NP, and I do have a strong interest in the psychosocial (and have the personality for it), but my inpatient psych clinical was very disturbing and it's one of the only nursing fields (along with Peds) which I won't do.

So I'm a bit stuck. Can't wait too long, or I'll have to get a DNP. Also getting near 40...

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi Joe - congrats on graduation!

How about giving nursing a six month challenge and see where it takes you? Do you have to commit right now?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
Hi Joe - congrats on graduation!

How about giving nursing a six month challenge and see where it takes you? Do you have to commit right now?

Thanks

I guess I could wait a bit and see...what I was thinking was that if I was to do the NP if I got started soon I might get it done before the DNP requirement takes effect, saving me some classes (though I don't think the additional classes are that great a burden). But I guess I could wait a bit and see.

Part of the reason is that my success in nursing school has come about by looking ahead and being more prepared than many of my classmates. I guess I'm kind of continuing that trend here.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

No problem with that Joe. I don't think the DNP requirement is a definite thing yet either.

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how about shadowing some NPs in the areas you're interested in?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
how about shadowing some NPs in the areas you're interested in?

That's a good idea.

Already shadowed an FNP as part of a clinical, didn't seem too interesting. Though it was a school-based community clinic, so maybe I should look at different settings..

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I think one of the best things to remember is that NP practice can really be whatever you want it to be. I am three years out from my FNP program and the people I graduated with are working in a variety of fields. One is doing clinical research, 3 are hospitalists doing inpatient management. Some went into ER/urgent care or family practice and I went into a surgical specialty. I knew what I wanted my practice to look like and it took 2 years and some extra training to get there, but now I know I am where I belong and I love my job. I spend half my time doing surgical first assist and the rest is split between clinic and hospital/ER rounds. I know NPs that have started their own clinics (something we can do in WA) so that they have complete control over their career and also huge earning potential.

I agree that job shadowing, or trying some different areas as an RN might really help you decide.

I was curious though, you said you finished you MSN but you are not an NP. What was your MSN focused in?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I was curious though, you said you finished you MSN but you are not an NP. What was your MSN focused in?

No specialization, it's a generalist MSN. I'll need additional classes if I want a NP or a DNP.

I have an idea of what I like...dealing with psychosocial issues related to illness, managing chronic illness, palliative care...and a pretty good idea of what I don't like...pediatrics, psychotic illnesses...so the only question is what specialization and practice setting to look for.

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

Its too bad your inpt. psych. experience was so bad. I think they vary so much depending on where your work. I've been in psych. since the stone age and some places I've worked were extremely poorly run and supported, others were just great. Usually it would depend on if there was teamwork or not. Maybe if you had a better psych. experience you might re-consider psych. area...

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