What kind of experience before FNP?

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

Must you have hospital experience? I'm being told I really should or may have to, depends on who I'm talking to!

I've decided that my goal would be with integrative medicine/care. More so in some type of out patient setting would be my goal.

There was only one area of hospital nurisng that truly interested me, but when I analyze that it was only for the skill set and for a short time, I knew that wouldn't be my end all. So now it seems sort of pointless when I know that's not my desired end goal. I always imagined integrative care would be my eventual goal, either in researching it or something else. I'm still not 100 percent sold on the idea I must be a FNP. The idea is daunting (so was nursing school at one point!) I just know in my heart that I want to be involved in more preventative care and CAM/integrative methods. If I could do that with a BSN I'd look into it. Research seems limited as you must do what projects you are assigned to, so I'm guessing FNP would give me the best autonomity to do this. But as the details are fuzzy I feel lost, not focused.

I'm looking into the possibilities of clinics and other out patient facilities now. Can I go on for FNP with just that and my LTC experience? Or will I need something more well-rounded aside from clinicals that I'd do in the program?

What have you done (or are doing) will pursuing this?

[Cardiology EP NP]

I am curious as to know what type of integrative medicine/care you are considering? I think it would be important to know that when deciding on what type of experiencing you will be pursuing before NP school.

For the FNP, I think it would be good to get some overall patient experience in different place. I do think that some medsurg experience is valuable but not long term wise. ER is also a great place to get experience just because you are exposed to so many different types of patients and ailments. Working in an internal medicine/family practice office would be valuable as well. I would work in several different settings and not limit yourself. I think you would enjoy the variety too and not get burned out. Keep in mind that FNPs work with children so getting some peds experience might not be a bad idea too.

I know you are interested in integrative medicine. At the same time, it would be a good idea to have a foundational understanding and knowledge of traditional medicine as well. I think it would make a more well rounded practitioner as well. I actually see a chiropractor who has an excellent knowledge of traditional medicine also and he is very skilled at what he does, not to mention very knowledgable.

[jlcole45]

So it sounds like you are not an RN yet. Why don't you do that first? At least then you know you will have a job and you will gain very good experience.

CAM is sort of a buzz phrase right now and the problem is these things come and go. In addition, there is limited reimbrushment from the major insurance carriers. In fact, these services are the first ones to be cut when budgets are tight - they just eliminated a bunch from our insurance as of the first of the year.

I'm not trying to discourage you but trying to offer something to fall back on. And lets face it in this economy most people are not able to pay out of pocket for CAM. If you have your RN and then go on for additional training, at least you will always have your RN. And in your practice as an RN you can incorporate things such as healing touch, massage, and guided imagery into your daily practice.