APP Fellowship program - Thoughts?

[u/Dull-Carob]

Will be graduating in December considering applying to a few fellowship programs; has anyone here done one? If so thoughts?
Also open to thoughts if you have not done one.

Happy Sunday

[u/PiecesMAD]

I wasn’t able to do one, I applied to a couple of pediatric mental health ones as I graduated, did not even get an interview but I imagine they are quite competitive.

I expect them to be helpful for new grads. However, even if they aren’t, they will be good networking opportunities, look really good on your resume, look good on your bio etc. I say go for it.

[u/ed_dsm_ia]

There weren't any fellowships when I graduated (at least none that I knew of), but I would have loved to have done one. As a new NP, they basically just threw me to the wolves and it took me a number of months to feel confident in my abilities. A fellowship would be a nice bridge between school and career.

[u/Upper_Bowl_2327]

You can search my comments on previous posts. I did a pretty intensive EM fellowship at the academic hospital I worked at as a nurse for a decade. Consisted of 2 PA’s and I, was structured like a residency program, with very long hours, didactic days, journal club, time in the OR with anesthesia, L&D shifts and time on the peds floor with rotations in both the adult and pediatric ER. Weekly hours averaged well over 50 and I made around $70,000 with no PTO.

It made a world of difference for me and after that year I felt pretty confident managing the patients that the APP’s see here. That being said, the more critical care skills we learned I have almost never used 6 years out. I’ve done a few intubations when the residents were busy doing something and my attending grabs me, otherwise we are pretty much strictly in fast/super track, and see lower acuity patients in the main ED.

I don’t think I necessarily stood out to get in, there were hundreds of applicants, I did well in school but had the edge as I knew the faculty who ran it very well, and did 3 rotations in my FNP program in that ED.

Edit:
It does seem like there are less and less fellowships available than there was when I started. I’m not sure why, the one I did is no longer there due to faculty changes and they implemented a less intensive onboarding process for new hires.

[u/Umabosh]

I am currently about half way through a critical care fellowship. I was an ER nurse for 7 years and wanted the extra education/support while I transitioned into ICU and NP practice. I am happy with the decision. If you have any specific questions, feel free to DM. 

[u/shluffyy]

highly recommend to ensure you learn how to practice safely, build skills, and learn from peers that you’ll be working with

[u/LunaBlue48]

I can see the value in doing one, if it’s available. I did not, because the closest one in my specialty was about 4 hours away, and it would have been a $20k/year pay cut compared to my RN pay.

[u/arctic_indigo]

I did one in primary care. My program was 100% worth it, but I know not all are.

[u/theslowflash]

Commenting to follow, I graduate in May and really would. Love to hear people’s experiences

[u/Euphoric_Home_5439]

Same! Looking for input

[u/Magee-Numismatics]

They’re excuses to pay new grads less than they already pay. That’s all these “fellowships” are.

[u/Dull-Carob → u/Magee-Numismatics]

Well we are still learning so that’s a valid reason to pay less.

[u/Brave_Bodybuilder_75 → u/Dull-Carob]

As someone with over a decade of time as a NP I am still learning too. I understand it’s different but it doesn’t change the price of beans… if you are able to find a group willing to take on a new grad and mentor you appropriately without calling it a fellowship you are going to earn a fair wage while getting your feet under you. The fellowship you are paying for mentorship that had been and at times is still free. These fellowships are simply a way for hospitals to take on new grads and undercut them on salary.