While I've read through all the posts on this msg, I just felt the need to post myself. I'm just about 1 year away from getting my FNP and I cannot wait! I've had an awesome clinical rotation this semester and have learned so much from my preceptor. I find my diagnostic skills improving all the time. I may not get it the first time, but at least I am given a chance to diagnose. And what's more, I like that I am now able to see if what I "think" is wrong with a patient is correct. I currently work in a Pediatric office, and while I do an HPI on the sick patients, I very seldom get the chance to ask the Docs if I am right in my assessments. I am also very grateful for my Preceptor because she doesn't talk to me as if I'm stupid (like I've had one or more of the docs do on occasion). Being a single mom limits where I can work as an RN, but getting my FNP will open up many more doors for me and allow me to help more patients than I do now.

cyntice says ...

I have been seriously considering the NP route and have been looking into universities, I am having a difficult time deciding between the FNP, ANP and Pediatrics, I love children. What I would really like to do is neonatal critical care but now that I am getting older I think that would be harder to carry into the "golden" years, I know I'm not there yet but if you start mid career, you got to end somewhere, right? The midwife program is big here in San Francisco also, and I know I'd love to do that, but if I move back to my home in Texas I'm not so sure it is as well accepted. So what type of practice do you NP do and what do you like about it, are there good job outlooks in your field, what would the better ones be to go into if you don't mind what you do, except geri?

I work as a FNP and get to work with all types of patients. I secretly wish that I had been closer to a midwife program. I had to work full time during my program so I went into family NP. I love my job! Good luck with your decision.

anyone have any advice on which route to go for NP. would really like some help on this subject..thanks

patient728 says ...

anyone have any advice on which route to go for NP. would really like some help on this subject..thanks

Patient 728,

Go with whatever area you feel called to but remember that Family NP is probably the most flexible.

Pop over to my main sites and check them out for some insight.

www.arnp.blogspot.com

www.npplace.com

I am thinking about returning to school to pursue a psychiatric or geriatric adult NP.  I was in a program and have most of the core classes complete, but had to withdraw after having my 2nd & 3rd baby while in the program.  My last baby is now 2 and I am thinking about going back.  I am wondering, though, if what the job prospects are.  I presently work on the weekends, make a full time salary, and am able to be home with the children during the week.  I am looking for more flexibility for when my children are older, greater job fulfillment, and comparable salary.  I would love to see patients in a nursing home setting, home health, or work on-call in for a physician’s group after-hour/weekends, or teach on-line courses.  I do not know many NPs to consult.  Do you know of any sites that list job prospects, salary information, etc?  I want to make sure there is work for me when I finish and that the benefits outweigh the sacrifices of going back to school (family, financial, etc.).  Thanks for posting this and being available for advice!  Sincerely, Allison

After my RN graduation this June I want to find a job and continue my education to get my BSN.

What needs to be done after the BSN to head towards becoming a NP.  I have thought about becoming one.....sometimes. 

University of California and San Francisco State have master's degree NP programs, and post master's certificatesfor nurses who have their MSN already. They are waving the 2 year experience for some of the specialties except things like critical care specialties. they also have accelerated programs for people who have a master's degree in something other than nursing which takes a year or so to become a nurse and then you follow along with the everyone else who is in the programs. There are some online NP programs also but you do have to go to campus occasionally.I am in the last year of my RN-BSN program and plan on starting at UCSF next fall.

Here everyone goes through a standard course curriculum and then branches off into the major, so it would entail taking the extra classes required between geri and whatever you choose. Something else they are doing but I don't know if it is available for geri, is dual certification and that is where you major in one area and then take a few more classes and minor in another, so you graduate with two areas of specialty and can become registered with the state for both.

cdnurse, I want to become an NP for labor and delivery is there such thing? IF so have any advice?

mg1021 says ...

I am now Gin.....thanks to you! 

I'm just not sure if I want to go for Family NP, Geri NP, Maternal NP.....or.....midwife.  Geeeeeesh

I won't be going for a while anyway...so I have time to consider.

You have time to decide. You would be a fantastic NP

NP are in demand right now, you can find the average salaries by doing a google search for "nurse practitioner salary", that will give you the latest and who is hiring, I do not know where you are located or are wishing to locate or which specialty you want to go into. NP services are billable under medicare, there is an article on this in Medline this month if you are interested. There are a lot of different ways to work out a contract if you want to work with a doctor in his office.

npssavelives says ...

button2cute says ...

hmmm, no replies of the hiring of NPs by medicine and the salaries determine by the State Board of Nursing. I guess no cares....

Salaries are varied based on what specialty you are in and in what location you practice. The State Boards of Nursing have no control over pay scales. That's between you and the hiring company.

  Thank you, NPS

       For assisting me, I could not find an answer in the research. I just had several nurse practitioner in PA explained the BON was involved and other nurse practitioners in NJ did not have BON involved. I could not find any research to say either way.

mzchas says ...

Hi. I'm completely new to the healthcare industry.  It's been 2 months now since deciding to become a nurse and so I'm currently taking my prereqs for Nursing School.  I plan to go into the Accelerated BSN program, since I have my B.A. in a different field.  I've done some research in the meantime and found that Nurse Practitioners are in demand. So I'm 80% sure I want to be a Nurse Practitioner after I receive by BSN.  As far as specialilites, it's too soon for me to tell, but I'm looking at either an Acute Care Nure Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.  Do you have any advice on one or both of these?  After getting my BSN should I hold off and wait until I get 2 years of experience as an RN before returning back to school to get that advanced degree?  Also, if I'm looking at either both those professions, which areas should I work in and is it possible to work in both to solidify which area I'll have the most passion in?

 

If you REALLY love children, then go for the Pediatric NP but if you get into it and decide that you don't want to see children then you are stuck with having to go back to school and cross train. You can do Family NP and work both sides. Acute is hospital based and cannot do chronic disease process care. Family can cross train up and do acute if I believe right. Hope this helps! Check out my blog sometime! www.arnp.blogspot.com

 

I am looking into brigde programs toMSN- NP-there is a RN at work that just finished and went with graceland. heard great things from them. Im not sure if anyone has thought of this, the role of the NP will be the Primary care provider. With this health care crisis and demands. NPs will be in high demand. Good Luck to all.