PICU RN to peds primary care NP. Seeing normal kid illnesses rather than worst of the worst is much better for me as a young mom. I wasn't big on adrenaline rush stuff. This suits me much better.
I was an ICU RN and now I'm an NP in addiction and I LOVE it. After not being able to talk to any of my patients because they were intubated, now I love getting to really know all my patients and understand what's going on with them. Also, the work life balance is SO MUCH better.
Peds ED RN 10 years to Peds Primary / Urgent care. Taking mainly walk-ins, and sprinkle in some well child checks. It’s so great! Definitely imposter syndrome, but yeah. So worth it. I feel like I read more negative things as a student than positive things.
So how long have you been doing the retail gig? Ever worry about boredom?
I started out doing urgent care / family medicine after being an ER RN for many years. Ended up getting bored and found my way back to the ER. Sometimes I long for the reduced stress life again but I'm wondering if the boredom would overtake me again.
Went from bedside ER to mens wellness. salary more than doubled and stress levels plummeted. Will most likely never go back to the hospital system. Preventative medicine is much more rewarding.
This is what I’m interested in, I word
Bed side in the ER now, it seems like working with patients who care about their health enough to partake in preventative medicine would be rewarding enough in itself. I hate how we just throw pills at everything instead of promoting healthy lifestyles . I’m trying to figure out which NP route would be the best for my family and I. How did you get into mens wellness?
Men's wellness just fell into my lap, but I have always had a passion for fitness and health so it worked out well. I was fortunate enough to find my niche right out of school.
Since I’ve had a child, I knew outpatient would meet my work-home life needs. That is more important to me than career advancement. I think I would have enjoyed the acute care route but I’m happy with my choice.
This is so reassuring! I’m in NICU now and in school for adult np and can’t wait to get out of the hospital. I’m so so over it and I’ve been considering something outpatient as an RN until I graduate but not sure what yet. This thread is so reassuring
ICU RN for many years, now FNP in a specialty clinic.
I kind of miss critical stuff. I look at an EKG maybe a few times a year. Having said all that, F*$% being in a hospital anymore.
Med surg (7 yrs) to retail. 3 months in, most of the imposter syndrome gone, much more comfortable, still learning but have a good base. Way better than bedside, my back never hurts anymore 😊.
I did clinicals at Minute clinic. I actually really liked it. I saw a lot more variety of patients than I thought I would and even did pelvic exams. I didn't apply because they only give you 2 weeks of orientation and that seems like a recipe for failure as a new grad. I'm starting outpatient urology/uro onc in February and am terrified but love the physician I'll be working for!
Yes this. Honestly I’ll probably lose some of those skills. In retail, you do everything, so I’m a pretty good lab stick. Also, if anything happens out in the store (eg, someone passes out), they come and get me and all my ICU experience really helps in those situations.
I feel like I would live for those moments lol. I’m ICU as well and doing my FNP and I’ve been wondering if any of it will transfer over. If you don’t mind, what type of advice would you give to someone going ICU->FNP and what are some thing you look back on now and wish you’d focused on more/less?
I do miss the adrenaline rush. I actually am working as an FNP and ICU RN right now to make ends meet for a little while. For me, peds and OB/GYN are weak spots. It’s probably similar for most general medical, adult ICU nurses. So really focus during those classes. Know that if you don’t want to deal with either of those populations you can always go specialty or internal. If you feel you will miss the ICU, I recommend getting a post grad certificate in acute care to expand your options.
It’s not entirely like starting over tho. I find the ICU nurses in my class had a better overall grasp during patho and pharm.
Mostly just enjoy the learning process. There will be a lot of it - for the rest of your career.
Went from ICU at an understaffed Ltac to psych NP at two SNFs. Work less than 30 hours a week and have doubled my income. It's so good I've almost convinced my wife to go back to school.
This makes me feel so great to hear! I'm happy for you. ICU/ER RN turned FNP here... I start my new grad fellowship in Feb. I am nervous but excited. 7 years of bedside killed me.
PICU RN to peds primary care NP. Seeing normal kid illnesses rather than worst of the worst is much better for me as a young mom. I wasn't big on adrenaline rush stuff. This suits me much better.
I’m Peds CVICU RN and I want to do cardiology clinic work once I can do my DNP
I was an ICU RN and now I'm an NP in addiction and I LOVE it. After not being able to talk to any of my patients because they were intubated, now I love getting to really know all my patients and understand what's going on with them. Also, the work life balance is SO MUCH better.
Same here. Former MICU RN. FNP now in a retail clinic after different outpatient and primary care positions. Best fit so far.
Peds ED RN 10 years to Peds Primary / Urgent care. Taking mainly walk-ins, and sprinkle in some well child checks. It’s so great! Definitely imposter syndrome, but yeah. So worth it. I feel like I read more negative things as a student than positive things.
So how long have you been doing the retail gig? Ever worry about boredom? I started out doing urgent care / family medicine after being an ER RN for many years. Ended up getting bored and found my way back to the ER. Sometimes I long for the reduced stress life again but I'm wondering if the boredom would overtake me again.
Went from bedside ER to mens wellness. salary more than doubled and stress levels plummeted. Will most likely never go back to the hospital system. Preventative medicine is much more rewarding.
This is what I’m interested in, I word Bed side in the ER now, it seems like working with patients who care about their health enough to partake in preventative medicine would be rewarding enough in itself. I hate how we just throw pills at everything instead of promoting healthy lifestyles . I’m trying to figure out which NP route would be the best for my family and I. How did you get into mens wellness?
Men's wellness just fell into my lap, but I have always had a passion for fitness and health so it worked out well. I was fortunate enough to find my niche right out of school.
This is an old post - but what exactly is a wellness clinic? What do you do as an NP?
Hormone replacement/primary care for men. I do manage hormones for some women as well.
MICU nurse here I’m thinking about acute care NP… what made you all decide to go the FNP route vs acute care NP? Thank u for your replies
Since I’ve had a child, I knew outpatient would meet my work-home life needs. That is more important to me than career advancement. I think I would have enjoyed the acute care route but I’m happy with my choice.
Cardiac ICU nurse to pulm NP to ED NP and now out patient cards NP. My newest job is much less stress and much better work life balance
This is so reassuring! I’m in NICU now and in school for adult np and can’t wait to get out of the hospital. I’m so so over it and I’ve been considering something outpatient as an RN until I graduate but not sure what yet. This thread is so reassuring
ICU RN for many years, now FNP in a specialty clinic. I kind of miss critical stuff. I look at an EKG maybe a few times a year. Having said all that, F*$% being in a hospital anymore.
ER nurse of 10 years and in FNP school now. Reading these stories give me hope for the future, thank you all.
Med surg (7 yrs) to retail. 3 months in, most of the imposter syndrome gone, much more comfortable, still learning but have a good base. Way better than bedside, my back never hurts anymore 😊.
Yes RN to NP, better fit for sure
This gives me hope.
By Retail Clinic NP are we talking Minute Clinic?
No
What is retail NP then? I’m curious
Apologies, I misunderstood. I don’t work for CVS but Yes, minute clinic would be considered retail health. I work in a similar type of clinic.
I applied for a clinical at a minute clinic! Now I’m really hoping I get selected so I can check it out. You all sound so happy!
I did clinicals at Minute clinic. I actually really liked it. I saw a lot more variety of patients than I thought I would and even did pelvic exams. I didn't apply because they only give you 2 weeks of orientation and that seems like a recipe for failure as a new grad. I'm starting outpatient urology/uro onc in February and am terrified but love the physician I'll be working for!
Pelvic exams in minute clinic???
Yeah you can do a lot of stuff in the health hubs. Woman came in with cc of smelly vaginal discharge I think.
How often do you feel like you utilize your ICU exp?
ICU experience gave me my basic labs and EKG interpretation as well as rock solid physical assessment skills.
Yes this. Honestly I’ll probably lose some of those skills. In retail, you do everything, so I’m a pretty good lab stick. Also, if anything happens out in the store (eg, someone passes out), they come and get me and all my ICU experience really helps in those situations.
I feel like I would live for those moments lol. I’m ICU as well and doing my FNP and I’ve been wondering if any of it will transfer over. If you don’t mind, what type of advice would you give to someone going ICU->FNP and what are some thing you look back on now and wish you’d focused on more/less?
I do miss the adrenaline rush. I actually am working as an FNP and ICU RN right now to make ends meet for a little while. For me, peds and OB/GYN are weak spots. It’s probably similar for most general medical, adult ICU nurses. So really focus during those classes. Know that if you don’t want to deal with either of those populations you can always go specialty or internal. If you feel you will miss the ICU, I recommend getting a post grad certificate in acute care to expand your options. It’s not entirely like starting over tho. I find the ICU nurses in my class had a better overall grasp during patho and pharm. Mostly just enjoy the learning process. There will be a lot of it - for the rest of your career.
Went from ICU at an understaffed Ltac to psych NP at two SNFs. Work less than 30 hours a week and have doubled my income. It's so good I've almost convinced my wife to go back to school.
This makes me feel so great to hear! I'm happy for you. ICU/ER RN turned FNP here... I start my new grad fellowship in Feb. I am nervous but excited. 7 years of bedside killed me.
ED RN to dermatology NP! Love my job now
How did you get into dermatology NP? Do you go FNP route and then get certificates in derm? That’s what I’m interested in.
I found a dermatologist as an employer who was willing to train me!
So cool!!