Which NP program is best for me?

[AWanderingMinstral]

I'm considering applying to a nurse practitioner program, but I need some guidance. I possess a BSN as well as a MPH. While the bulk of my bedside experience is in orthopedics, I don't think that I'd like to work in that specialty. Instead, I'm interested in infectious disease and/or public health. Which NP program is best for me and why? Thank you!

[AWanderingMinstral]

Anyone?!

[ryguyRN]

Well you could try shadowing a few NPs in your area. Try primary care clinics and if you can try shadowing a NP in the hospital, some EDs, ICUs or Hospitalist groups have NPs. Find which most interests you and what you could see yourself doing everyday. After working in post-open heart surgery ICU with ECMO, I knew I didn't want to be an NP in there or in the ICU. I chose FNP because I have an interest in disease prevention and I know it has a broad range of things I could choose to do. I am hoping for a job in Urgent care eventually ED upon graduation. But I have also recently through clinicals become interested in drug rehab and indigent care. So get out there and explore what interests you, thats the best adivce I can give.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

If that was my goal I would probably limit my search to DNP programs and I would look towards programs from universities who's names are well recognized and are considered the better academic institutions (Ivys, Duke, etc.). This isn't to say their NP programs are any better, but often academic/government/policy organizations are very driven by titles and name recognition. They are also very network oriented, so I would start to network with folks in those organizations now, trying to find a way to get involved and build that network before and while you are in school.

Oh, and if your more interested in the research aspect of these organizations, then going the PhD route might be the way to go.

[AWanderingMinstral]

Can an adult-gerontology primary care NP work in infectious diseases (particularly in a hospital) or is it best for me to pursue the acute care path? I REALLY don't want to work in the ER, ICU, etc. ZERO desire. Thanks!

[MwtM]

Minstral,

Here's the thing, nurse practitioner specialties are self-limiting due to the fact that they were designed to be specific. Your best bet in my opinion is to take care to avoid the corners that you can back yourself into. Acute Care NPs and Family NPs can work with any age group. Acute Care NPs might have a leg-up initially when applying to work in a hospital, but then public health would be a problem. FNP is the most general as it does not curtail you to a particular setting.

[MwtM]

Minstral,

You might also want to look into clinical nurse specialist tracks as well! These might fit your needs better, although I am not entirely educated on that subject.