I recently graduated nursing school and have been working as an RN for the past few months. Eventually I know I want to go on to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, but I am trying to figure out the best way to go about this.
I LOVE floor nursing in pediatrics and do not necessarily want to stop doing this any time soon, however, I have heard it is a good idea to get education out of the way before settling down, starting a family, etc. My goal eventually is to provide healthcare to low income kids and possibly practice some overseas in health shortage areas, which is why I want the increased autonomy that advanced practice nursing would provide. Side note, I am also one of the weird ones who loved nursing school and I love learning anything and everything about medical practice so I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to go back to school as soon as possible.
My question is basically this: Is there any way to get a job as an RN after gaining PNP licensure? Like I said, I love floor nursing, but I would have to move for all of the PNP programs I am looking at so I would have to find a new RN job after graduating. My ideal situation would be to get a job as an RN in a pediatric hospital and then volunteer at a free health clinic of some sort as a PNP after graduation so that I can still work on the floor as an RN but I would be gaining some experience as a PNP. Does anyone know if this is even possible/what legal ramifications exist for PNPs working as RNs/would hospitals hire PNPs as RNs? Also, would it be wise for me to go back to school right away, or is it more beneficial to wait but risk the possibility of school interfering with family life later on? Thanks so much! :)
