Which is better experience for FNP program?

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Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

I will begin FNP school this coming summer and I am trying to decide which specialty will help most with school.

I am trying to stay in the same organization due to the organization giving some of the best tuition reimbursement options in the area. (I'm trying to go to school with paying the least out of pocket as possible).

I've only been working for about a year and a half and I've been working in acute rehab. My options within this facility are basically rehab, pediatric rehab, LTC, or LTACH.

In the rehab I am able to see all different kinds of comorbidities. I work on the floor that sees the most acuity. We receive LVADs, ventilators, peritoneal dialysis, and even a cardiac trip here and there. I love my job but I also work night shift where I don't get to interact with the practitioners as much. My goal is to switch to day shift whether I stay on my unit or not, which is very possible within the next year.

I'm more torn between working rehab or working LTACH. Our LTACH is a lot like an ICU. Which would be the better experience for FNP school? I feel like I see a lot of different kinds of patients currently, but would I see more in the LTACH?

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Since you see a variety of patients I think that is great. Your rehab unit already sounds more like an LTACH so I don't know how much of a difference it will be if you went to LTACH. As for the experience, when I was applying to programs, I was told they really like to see med-surg, ICU and ER experience but I think as long as you do not work in a very specialized area (and you don't) you should be fine.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I would think ICU would only matter if you were applying for an acute program. I know lots of FNP students who haven't worked in an ICU.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

ICU for acute, ER/tele for primary care. I have worked in ICU and none of the experience has really helped me towards my AGNP. It's wonderful don't get me wrong, but my tele experience has much more application towards primary care.

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Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

Thank you for all the responses! Ideally I think ER would be the best experience but I don't have that opportunity with the company I work for...

I think at this time I will just wait to see when day shift positions open and go from there.

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