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Discussion

What type of experience for FNP?

I am still debating between FNP and PMHNP. Today I am leaning to FNP (tomorrow that might change...Queen of Indecisiveness here). I am currently a school nurse and looking to get a PRN job that will help me with whichever program I choose. Obviously, I will look for a psych position if I go that route, but my options are fuzzier if I go the FNP route.

I have a new urgent care clinic near my home which is hiring for PRN, and I really like how they run their practice (I have been there with my husband when he was ill). But, I also have the possibility of getting into an ED at a hospital about 40 miles from my home. I currently work about 40 miles from home so the drive is nothing new. My friend works there and can arrange for me to shadow and see how I like it, then hopefully hire on PRN. With either position, if I like it I might try to get on full time after this school year is over. I hope to start my NP program part time next fall.

Which of these options do you think would give me better experience to relate to a FNP practice? I think Urgent Care would give me more insight into what my practice might be like, but I might be able to see/do more in a busy ED. Any thoughts?

Oh, a word about my long-term career goals. I would like to start out as an NP in an urgent care or primary care environment, or maybe a school based clinic. Eventually I would like to have a group practice that specializes in holistic care, with options of both western and traditional medicine and services such as massage and accupuncture. Bear in mind...this would be way down the road and other than fantasizing, this is not even on my radar yet!!!

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    I'd like to know opinions on this too. I'm still a BSN student, but school nursing really interests me so far, and I was considering being a school nurse before grad school (that's if I can get hired as a new grad RN.) One of my professors said it's possible for new grads to start in the schools if you find the right district. Is school nursing not a good experience for future FNPs? I was thinking of working as a school nurse and during the summer work in home care? I'm interested in being an FNP in a private practice, possibly in dermatology.

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    • Author

    It is possible to start out in school nursing, but the right district is a must. You will be on your own out there, so you have to have really good assessment skills and have other experienced nurses available in an instant when things go wrong or you don't know what to do. I blew up my lead nurse's phone my first few months on the job! I started in school nursing after less than 6 mos. in the hospital setting.

    I think school nursing is great experience for future NPs, but it is somewhat limited. You are dealing with a largely well population, and the most you can do is assess and refer. Since I have little hospital experience, I want to get some more acute care experience before going the NP route, both to make it easier for me to get into a program, but to make me more marketable after I graduate.

    I am leaning to the urgent care position, but I would still like to hear from some NPs on what kind of experience would be helpful in my position. :)

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    I changed from an outpatient rehab type setting to the ER and while I *hated* the ER, it did give me a broad range of clinical experiences to draw on and prepared me well for the FNP program.

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    Hi,

    Sorry for my ignorance but what is the letter "F" stand for in FNP?

    Cheers

    Brissygal

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    • Admin
    Hi,

    Sorry for my ignorance but what is the letter "F" stand for in FNP?

    Cheers

    Brissygal

    FNP=Family Nurse Practitioner

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