Choosing your NP path is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to starting NP school. There are so many decisions and based on your nursing experience, you will hear a variety of recommendations on what path to choose and unfortunately, you may often hear criticisms based on your choice. Really that choice is all yours and you need to ignore the comments from the peanut gallery.
As a former pediatric nurse, one may think that the decision for me to pursue pediatric NP (PNP) would be an easy decision. Of course, I don’t make any easy decisions and went the family NP (FNP) route instead. Granted, my decision was solely based on the fact that the graduate school I was attending only offered FNP, but as I thought more and more about it, I liked that FNP would allow me a wide variety of opportunities.
Another thing you will hear discussed frequently in the NP community is the “oversaturation” of the NP market. While I don’t doubt that this is true in some areas, I feel that if you look hard enough the opportunities are out there. The key is to network and to not be afraid to try something completely out of your comfort zone in order to get experience.
From my own experience, the first NP job I took was a men’s health clinic. What business does a former pediatric nurse have working in a men’s health clinic? None really, but I knocked that interview out of the park and was rewarded with my first NP job within 3 months of graduating! Was it necessarily my ultimate goal to work in men’s health? Not at all, but it was the stepping stone I needed to get started in my NP career. I have made a few career moves in the 4 years I have been an NP, urgent care, occupational health, pediatric hospitalist, but I never regret where I started and the path I have chosen.
From my perspective, the key to a successful NP career is to focus on your goal and run with it. Don’t be afraid to try something completely out of your comfort zone or something you think you would never do because you may either love it or hey, if nothing else, you are getting experience so you can make your next move.
Next up in the blog…my experience in occupational health/urgent care.
xoxo, Tara
That NP Mom 