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

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As I contemplate going back to school in the next 2 years, I am curious to know what areas people worked in BEFORE going on to NP school. I've been a nurse for 2 years now, and currently work on an intermediate critical care floor. Do I need experience in other areas such as ICU, ED, or Cardiac ICU before going on to NP school? Interested in hearing some thoughts on it. Thanks!

Specializes in Pain Management, FNP, Med/Surg, Tele.

I have been a Tele Nurse for the 6 yrs that I've been an RN and now that I'm a FNP (18 months) and working in a Primary Care office for the last 10 months, I'm still working as a Tele nurse.

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

So from the looks of things it seems like the ED wouldn't be a bad place to get some experience....

I will consider that as my next career move. Thanks for the input!

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.
I have been a Tele Nurse for the 6 yrs that I've been an RN and now that I'm a FNP (18 months) and working in a Primary Care office for the last 10 months, I'm still working as a Tele nurse.

Where are you working as a FNP? Do you feel your tele experience helped you any in your current role?

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Specializes in Pain Management, FNP, Med/Surg, Tele.
Where are you working as a FNP? Do you feel your tele experience helped you any in your current role?

Hi Spoiled1,

I'm working in a single Physician Family Practice and yes, I do believe my Med/Surg/Tele experience helped and is helping me because I see the same patients in the out patient setting before they get admitted on my floor or after they get discharged. I get to see them on both levels. I'm already familiar with their meds and I know what procedures they are trying to explain to me when they tell me what they had done while in the hospital. I know alot of people say its good to have ER or Critical Care experience but I don't think that's necessarily true especially if you are not going to specialize in those areas. I think I'm doing just fine as evidenced by the physician leaving me on my own in the office after only working as an NP for 10 months.

I tried working in the ER as an RN and was terrified because everything seemed so uncontrolled and wild down there. Plus the patients just coming off the streets and everyone in their regular clothes confused me. I went the CICU and ICU and just thought those patients were way more sick than I wanted to deal with.

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