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Discussion

Which practitioner should I go for?

I am going to be finishing up my BSN degree soon and am going to be looking into my MSN degree very shortly but am at a loss for which practitioner I should get. I plan to work with pediatrics, ideally in an ER setting. I know the most logical one to get would be one in pediatrics but I remember someone telling me at some point that would be a bad route to take, especially if I want to work in an ER. I would love some opinions if you would all be so kind! Should I do peds? Should I do FNP? Or, something completely different? Any thoughts and reasons why would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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    • Which Practitioner should I do? 4 members have participated

    1. 1. Which Practitioner should I do?

      • Family Nurse Practitioner
        50%
        2
      • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
        25%
        1
      • Emergency Practitioner
        25%
        1
      • Other Unlisted Practitioner (Please post what you think!)
        0%
        0

    Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

    Featured Replies

    • Moderator

    I believe that FNP has the greatest flexibility in the ED setting, based on types of NPs in the EDs where I have worked. Best of luck in the remainder of your BSN! I would recommend some solid ED RN experience prior to NP if ED NP is your goal. :)

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    Maybe you should spend time in nursing a bit and then decide your direction. Experience will help on your journey to being an NP.

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    • Experts
    Maybe you should spend time in nursing a bit and then decide your direction. Experience will help on your journey to being an NP.

    I agree totally. Work first, you may find that you won't like Pediatrics as much as you think you will. Lots of new nurses find that they dislike areas they thought that they would love and love areas that they thought they would dislike.

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    Maybe you should spend time in nursing a bit and then decide your direction. Experience will help on your journey to being an NP.

    I agree with SmilingBluEyes here. You haven't even gotten a nurse job yet! Sometimes it's easier said than done to just waltz into a Pediatric ED job (in NY unless you get an ED residency, you can't even work in the ED with a year of experience prior, but it may be different where you are).

    Everyone seems to go for FNP. Depending on where you live/which schools are around, you should look into an AGACNP (Adult Gerontological Acute Care NP) program, which literally prepares you for acute NP roles.

    But for now, get your feet wet. Don't use your first nursing job solely as the minimum for NP school. Find something you like! Being an NP is a big commitment and you will have a lot of responsibility. Spend some time and learn your basics!

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    • Moderator

    If I recall correctly, the OP is already an RN, just completing a BSN.

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    Ah, you may be right. It isn't very clear based on the post if it's a first time BSN or an ADN-BSN.

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    • Author

    I should have specified. I am already a nurse and work in an ICU. Prior to that I was a paramedic for a few years. So, I have the experience and I'm ready to take the next step I am just unsure as to which step I should take.

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    Get very friendly with NPs and specialists you're working with, then ask for a "shadow" day or just a few hours. Also, ask if any of them personally know NPs who work in ER, office and hospital; reach for them and ask for the same. This way, you'll get a feeling of who is actually doing what and make informed choice.

    To work with kids in ER, one can be Pediatrics (probably better Acute) NP or FNP. Peds programs are few and far between; if you want this, get some sort of experience with kids and be 110% sure that the program provides preceptors because Peds preceptors are notoriously difficult to find. FNP programs are easier to get into because there are so many of them and pretty much everyone can be accepted somewhere. You will be able to start working in ER right out o f school with FNP, but expereince/connections in ER will help a lot. FNP is also way more flexible in case you would like to switch areas in the future.

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    • Moderator
    I should have specified. I am already a nurse and work in an ICU. Prior to that I was a paramedic for a few years. So, I have the experience and I'm ready to take the next step I am just unsure as to which step I should take.

    Do you get peds experience in your ICU at all? Is there an opportunity for PRN work in an all-ages ED so that you can get some ED exposure and peds exposure at the same time? Yes, I know you were a paramedic first (I started there too), but the ED as an RN is a different animal than paramedic or ICU. Just a thought. :)

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    My apologies to the OP.

    I mistook you for a new RN. Others said it better; spend time with various NPs and shadow them. Then you might be clearer on what works for you. Gerontology is a good one; lots of people getting older by the day. I see a need for gerontology NPs in our near future.

    I wish you the very best on your journey to advanced practice.

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    • Author

    I usually do not have any experience with Peds on my floor. Occasionally we might get a 15 to 18-year-old depending on the level of trauma but that is about it. I actually do also work in an ER PRN at a different hospital so I have that going for me as well.

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    • Experts

    Moved to student NP forum

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