Which track to choose?

[Thomgirl]

I'm arguably the worst at making decisions, lol.

My predicament: I truly believe that medications have a justifiable place in treatment, but I also know that we, as a society, are *vastly* overmedicated. I ideally wish to find some balance between the world of Western medicine and the world of, well, more holistic approaches. Looking at NP programs, but unsure which way to go with that, and have no idea where else to go to fulfill my desired ends.

For what it's worth, 7 years ICU experience at a leading Level 1 Trauma Center teaching hospital in the south, 18 months hospice case management, and currently working in psych. :)

[gelli.25]

It all depends on what you want to do; just take every little thing into consideration.

Do you want a set schedule or flexibility? Do you want to work weekends and holidays, be on call? Do you want to continue to work with critical patients or do you want to head towards preventative health and more education? Do you want to work with kids or only adults? Do you want to specialize? Office vs. hospital vs. ER/urgent care? Do you want to make rounds where family is likely present or sit and talk to your patients individually?

Me? I am choosing the FNP route due to preferences. I have no desire to work as a hospitalist making rounds on patients; I prefer my patients be awake and with it. I don't mind working with the infant to the geriatric population. I prefer to educate and do preventative care. I want a set schedule. I don't want call. Just things like that. I also feel FNP has more of a holistic approach as well: you get all patients - peds, women's health, psych, and adults along with acute minor injuries. I feel like family practice is so broad that I will learn a ton! Like I said, it all falls down to what you want to do.

Good Luck!