What area of nursing did you work in before becoming a NP?

RocktheBoat · Jun 7, 2011

I'm still an NP student, but I'll answer anyway. I have worked in the ICU since I finished nursing school (3 yrs ago) and continue to work full-time in the ICU during grad school. I think ICU and ER experience is not a bad thing to have, but not necessarily needed. I would say ICU experience would be needed if you were to attend an ACNP program, and that ER could be beneficial for any program because it gives you an idea of a diagnostic work-up. I am in an FNP program and my classmates have experience in everything from school nursing to ICU/ER/OR.

Spoiled1, MSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

I'm still an NP student, but I'll answer anyway. I have worked in the ICU since I finished nursing school (3 yrs ago) and continue to work full-time in the ICU during grad school. I think ICU and ER experience is not a bad thing to have, but not necessarily needed. I would say ICU experience would be needed if you were to attend an ACNP program, and that ER could be beneficial for any program because it gives you an idea of a diagnostic work-up. I am in an FNP program and my classmates have experience in everything from school nursing to ICU/ER/OR.

Thanks for the input. My first choice is FNP. How are you balancing school and work?

RocktheBoat · Jun 7, 2011

It's not too bad right now, I work 3 12s and take about 2 classes a semester. Once I start clinicals I will have to start working every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to make time for class and clinical (so I will basically be busy everyday of the week). I also just had a baby, so I'm counting on my husband to be very supportive to help me through this. It won't be fun, but I'm hoping it will all be worthwhile in the end.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 7, 2011

I worked in a level one trauma center ER for 10 years, adult ICU for 2 years and LTC as an LPN for 2 years before I became an APN.

When I was interviewing, everyone was very interested in my ER experience and ability to think on my feet.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Jun 8, 2011

Surgical Specialty unit (10yrs), MICU (5yrs), ED (5yrs), stayed in the ED as the NP.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jun 8, 2011

I'm a FNP and the majority of my RN career consisted of ER nursing with a touch of progressive cardiac.

zenman · Jun 8, 2011

You really want to know?

CNA

EMT

ARMY medic

LPN

Level 1 trauma

Helicopter Flight Nurse

ICU

M/S

PM&R

Psych Home Health

Assistant Professor

Several management jobs

School Nurse in Asia

Zen Shiatsu Therapist

Shamanic Practitioner

I think that's it.

NPinWCH · Jun 9, 2011

OB, all 15 years in L&D, mother-baby and nursery. Now, I'm an FNP.

porterwoman · Jun 11, 2011

zenman, your presence in this world lights up my life & inspires me more than you will ever know. Namaste!

sourapril · Jun 11, 2011

very impressive!

How did you become a flight nurse?

You really want to know?
CNA
EMT
ARMY medic
LPN
Level 1 trauma
Helicopter Flight Nurse
ICU
M/S
PM&R
Psych Home Health
Assistant Professor
Several management jobs
School Nurse in Asia
Zen Shiatsu Therapist
Shamanic Practitioner
I think that's it.

zenman · Jun 11, 2011

very impressive!
How did you become a flight nurse?

I signed up and they dropped me off on oil rigs and boats in the Gulf of Mexico, sometimes flying when the CG wouldn't fly because our nav was more advanced than theirs. I lost a few heartbeats sometimes.

Then there was the night we picked up two guys and when we landed at hospital I couldn't figure how why there was blood all over the copter floor. I knew I'd wrapped those guys up good. Seems I was patient #3. Sliced my self open somewhere along the way.