What kind of RN experience for FNP?

[DoodlesNoodles]

Hello All,

I've been an RN for about a year and during this time have been working as a public health nurse with the state. I'm currently one year into a p/t three year program for FNP. I'm struggling with whether I should move over to the hospital to gain more experience or if I should stay in public health. When I graduate from the FNP program I would eventually like to work internationally with the federal government as a provider at different consolets around the world. They want rural and critical care experience as well as public health experience. I love my job but I do realize I'm not gaining any critical care experience BUT at the same time I don't want to leave public health with only a year put in. I've been reading other nurses comments about how hard it is to find FNP jobs upon graduation. I'm afraid I will not be able to find a job as a FNP that would allow me to work as a general practitioner with both acute and chronic conditions with the resume I now have. If I can't gain experience in these areas I may never have my dream job. So I don't want to have a resume with only public health experience but at the same time I don't feel like I should leave my job so soon. Any ideas or thoughts from other nurses would be much appreciated!

[cb_rn]

In my FNP program the emphasis has been more on what clinicals we choose, rather than what field we are working in as nurses at present. I've heard that from a lot of already employed NPs as well, that they found their job offers through clinical contacts and many of them returned to work with the physicians and NPs that they utilized as preceptors. Best of luck.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I've seen a few posts on here and have heard from a few FNPs locally that the emergency department probably brings about the best experience for the RN.

Why? They say the volume of diverse clients and the background of working somewhat autonomously with focused H&P experience is helpful. One also gets a lot of exposure to labs and films in the ED.

Then again, I'm not even a nurse so my reports are only hearsay.

[smkiya, BSN, RN]

Based on your future career goals, I would not leave the public health position. You may obtain contacts there that will assist you in finding/obtaining your dream job. The general consensus seems to be that you will gain your experience while in graduate school. Choose good preceptors! Again, don't quit your day job. If you want a little more variety, choose a GOOD preceptor!

Good luck!

[tablefor9, RN]

Seems to me you already know that your "dream job" wants experience you don't have, and because you are already in a FNP program, your time to get that experience is limited. IMHO, jump ship. I know you've only been with current position a year, but clinical *is not* enough experience.

Get the broadest, deepest experience while you are still a "bedside RN" because that ship's going to leave the dock. After 15 yrs of RN exp working with all kinds of "midlevel practitioners", I will tell you that what makes APRNs stand out is the level of experience they bring. Clinicals won't do that for you.

[DoodlesNoodles]

Thanks for the responses, they were much appreciated and helped me decide to apply for hospital nursing positions. With much contemplation I accepted a float position at the local hospital where I will have an abundance of new nursing experiences. Some wise man once said that with many counselors come success.