[richardjboro1]

Hello,
Just butting in here, but if you are looking at vandy, they have a new program that is an ACNP/FNP track. I'm seriously looking at that after graduation. It looks great and may combine your two interests and keep you outa peds if you like.

Richard

[Iconoclast]

I'd jump at that, it is exactly what I want. However, I'm 350 miles away and must go with one of the distance options. Based on the website, the FNP/ACNP looks like an on-campus program. Am I incorrect?

[NurseD ACNP]

Iconoclast: I am a graduate of Vandy's ACNP program. I had many years of trauma/ICU RN experience prior to starting the program and thought that I would stay at Vandy afterwards. Infortunately...I have found myself in a very rural area of Idaho...jobless because I can't see peds. Think long and hard about what you want to do. If you want to work in a specialty clinic or non acute setting...ANP may be the way to go for you. Especialy if you want to do a distance course from Vandy. I have been told by the BON of two states, ANCC, and Vanderbilt that ACNPs can only see ages 18 and older. I have read on this forum that other ACNPs see 12+, but I can't be sure about that in my state. ANPs can see 12+ in all states, so I think that may give you a broader range down the line. If I had to do it all over again I would choose the FNP route, but I understand the need for distance ed!

[traumaRUs]

And I'm somewhat in the same boat: I'm an adult health CNS in IL. I work in nephrology and sometimes kids appear on my pt list - ugh! Then...I have to explain to doc how I can't see kids. The rest of the mid-levels are FNPs and PAs and don't have this issue.

I too would do the FNP if I had to do it over.

[pinoyNP]

...and I think that's where those who are planning to become NP's need to be more savvy in choosing the track that will not only satisy their clinical interests but also improve their chances of job prospects. You have to actually know what kinds of jobs are out there in your geographical area if you do not plan to move and go where the jobs are. Living in an urban setting, my ACNP peers have been fortunate to find specialties that are adult-specific and in the acute care settings. However, some FNP's here in this area have been looking into jobs in the acute care settings because there are not many primary care openings aside from urgent care centers and ED's. A good way to find out what's out there is to ask practicing NP's in your area through the local NP association. Newspaper classifieds are not always a good way to get a feel of what openings are available because many jobs are still spread by word of mouth. I also find that many hospital websites, at least in this area, post their NP openings online.

[NurseD ACNP]

TraumaRU, How have you handled this. It's really a problem for me right now. Every interviewer has been completely impressed with my CV and said that they would hire me on the spot if I could see peds. Here, they see approx. 40% peds.

[NurseD ACNP]

[quote=pinoyNP;2811951]You have to actually know what kinds of jobs are out there in your geographical area if you do not plan to move and go where the jobs are. quote]

Absolutely! I had been at a Level I Trauma center for 7+ yrs. They actually paid me to go back to school to work as an "intesivist/hospitalist" for a large surgical group. My relocation was unexpected, so I think I should add to your comment that you should look at all job opportunities in all possible settings that you may ever find yourself now or in the future! I am really in a bad position right now and am actually thinking about going back to staff nursing