What path to nurse practitioner?

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 18, 2005

I am fairly confident that I would like to become a nurse practitioner. On what type of floor/unit should my first job be when I graduate in May 06 to lead to this degree? I would think med/surg...What is your experience? I appreciate any and all feedback!

Hello, NCJill,:balloons:

Yes, the Med-Surg unit is a great place to start. Then, if you can, try for ER/Peds/OB/ICU. This will give you well-rounded experience before you start the NP program.

Great career choice.:)

NCJill · Oct 19, 2005

Thanks for your quick reply! I graduate in May 2006 and am having a hard time deciding which type of floor/unit I want to go on. ALL of my clinical experience so far has been on med/surg floors. I don't mind med/surg, but I have no other experiences for comparison! I spent one night in the ED and liked it a lot. I expect to like L&D, and I think I would like pediatric oncology--however, I have no experience to base these preferences on. They are blind assumptions.

So, how do you choose where to start?? Thanks :)

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 19, 2005

Thanks for your quick reply! I graduate in May 2006 and am having a hard time deciding which type of floor/unit I want to go on. ALL of my clinical experience so far has been on med/surg floors. I don't mind med/surg, but I have no other experiences for comparison! I spent one night in the ED and liked it a lot. I expect to like L&D, and I think I would like pediatric oncology--however, I have no experience to base these preferences on. They are blind assumptions.
So, how do you choose where to start?? Thanks :)

Well, I would still start in the Med-Surg unit for a while just to practice as the licensed nurse and then try for the ICU. After that, ER or OB or Peds. It really is up to you and your ability to absorb the experience quickly.

Just IMHO.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 19, 2005

If you are going to be an FNP, it would not really matter where you start since they work in all areas of health for the family. I would actually think you could stay away from med/surg, since in the office FNP do not really do much surg stuff other than simple biopsies. But thats if you do the FNP(But I am guess that is what you might be thinking since you are asking where to start)...but anything that you do more than another you will have more experience in and may choose to focus most of your attention on when you are in school and then when you practice. (Not to say that you do not give the other Field 100% of your effort) Many FNPs are FNP but advertise that they specialized in pediatrics (because when they were a nurse they worked in the NICU) You will get plenty of well rouned experience once you get into the program. I know many FNPs that only worked one area before they started the FNP program (like my example of the NICU). Requirements are to have a BSN (or an ASN with a BS/BA in another Field) and to have so many hours of experience as a nurse (a lot), not if you worked on every floor of the hospital. If you did that it would take forever to get started in the program...KWIM, you will not get much experience working just a few months on each floor, let alone would a hospital allow you to do that? In a program they have a curriculum that works and allow you to work in hospitals as well as family practices to get the experience you need.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 19, 2005

If you are going to be an FNP, it would not really matter where you start since they work in all areas of health for the family. I would actually think you could stay away from med/surg, since in the office FNP do not really do much surg stuff other than simple biopsies. But thats if you do the FNP(But I am guess that is what you might be thinking since you are asking where to start)...but anything that you do more than another you will have more experience in and may choose to focus most of your attention on when you are in school and then when you practice. (Not to say that you do not give the other Field 100% of your effort) Many FNPs are FNP but advertise that they specialized in pediatrics (because when they were a nurse they worked in the NICU) You will get plenty of well rouned experience once you get into the program. I know many FNPs that only worked one area before they started the FNP program (like my example of the NICU). Requirements are to have a BSN (or an ASN with a BS/BA in another Field) and to have so many hours of experience as a nurse (a lot), not if you worked on every floor of the hospital. If you did that it would take forever to get started in the program...KWIM, you will not get much experience working just a few months on each floor, let alone would a hospital allow you to do that? In a program they have a curriculum that works and allow you to work in hospitals as well as family practices to get the experience you need.

I suggest the Med-Surg unit because you see how to manage all types of patients on this unit. Not because of the type of surgery performed as an FNP, but, to see how the surgery patient is managed by all staff members. You will have many patients who you will admit for surgery and will need this type of experience to interact with the other heathcare members. Just a suggestion......

As for the other experience, please bear in mind, I am not advocating a couple months stay in these areas. You are correct, this would not fly with the employer. I am a firm believer that all RNs seeking the NP track should have at least 5 years experience before going to the NP program. Now, I know this is a personal choice for all and this is still IMHO.

midnightRN · Oct 19, 2005

I've been a nurse for about a year, and am pursuing a NP degree, though I won't attain it until at least 2009. I work on a med/surg floor, and would suggest it as a place to start. The reason I do is because here you see a wide variety of the conditions you'd see as an NP. Diabetes complications, CHF, MI, wound care, pneumonia, influenza, etc., etc. I suppose the bigger question is- Do you know what kind of NP to be? Another thought is to work someplace that allows you to cross-train on other floors. It's be easier to find out what you love, and what you are best at that way. Above all, pick a place you'd like to be at for at least a year. You have to like what you're doing. Best wishes! Anna