ACNP hours and settings vs FNP...

Specialties NP

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Hello, I am in my first year of a BSN to DNP program, and I am in the ACNP track. Our school is starting an FNP program as well. I am wondering if some ACNPs can elaborate what type of hours and hospitals setting you work in. I have a young child, and I am considering going for the FNP program bc (well for one thing, it is a generalist degree, and I like that option), I am worried about the hours of an ACNP...My background is in surgery and critical care, and my passion is critical care. BUT, my family has to come first, and all I keep hearing is that I will likely be placed on midnights as a new NP like I was as a new RN.... I absolutely can not work MN...I have no family here, and there is no one to watch my son. My husband works swing shifts, without any warning, so I would run into a lot of issues there. I don't want to get done with my program, and not be able to find a job bc I can't find a day shift position. If I go the FNP route, I am not sure of those settings either....any ideas, or suggestions?? HELP!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In my areas, ACNPs are in the hospitals and work 24/7 hours and FNPs work in offices M-F.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Maybe I should clarify...I understand that ACNPs work in the hospital, and 24/7, and FNPs work in an office. I guess when I say "settings", I am referring to, critical care, ED, Med Surg....etc. I am wondering how difficult it will be to find a position on day shift as an ACNP.

As far as FNP, I like that it is a generalist degree, and I am wondering if all FNPs work family practice, or in other areas. Do you work in an office with physicians, or do you work in a clinic etc. I am worried I would be bored in an office. Maybe not so much in an outpatient clinic like urgent care or something...It is hard to say bc I've never done it before. I am also curious if an FNP can work in a hospital setting? Like for example, if I got my FNP and worked in an OR? Or ER? I am not liking the restrictions that NPs have regarding the settings, but of course, I am sure no one cares what I like :)

Thanks

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

I am an FNP and just landed a new job in preadmissions testing/SPU and I will be there M-F, no weekends, no holidays.

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I am in an ACNP program as well and asked the same questions in my area. yes some of the ACNP's work as you stated but others work in specialty clinics ( heart failure, neurology, etc. ) some also work in Urgent Care clinics. (Urgent care NOT family practice)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The problem with ACNP is that it is an adult NP. In order to work in most ER's and urgent care settings, you will need to see children too. This means either doing an FNP and hoping you get hired (FNP is not an acute settting NP in most ERs) or do two programs.

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I am an ACNP and have had no trouble finding day jobs. My first job out of school was in IR, where I worked M-F 7-4. Now I am in Trauma and work 4 10-hr shifts each week (can be weekends or holidays), 6-4:30. I did get lucky, I think, by not having to take call on the trauma team. But if I can remember, the vast majority of jobs I interviewed for, on both occasions, were for regular day hour positions (albeit early starts).

Obviously for trauma I work in the hospital, and most of my work is covering floors and step-down units. The other NPs I work with are also ACNPs. I'm not sure if I know of any FNPs working with inpatients, but I think when I have found one on occasion, they tend to be older (which to me means they've been in that job or setting for quite some time, perhaps before many ACNPs were around).

With regards to thinking an FNP specialty is generalized, I must say I also think the ACNP curriculum is also generalized. They are just geared towards different practice settings. In my ACNP coursework, I had to learn a whole host of things I don't deal with at all...but I still had to learn it. Trauma was a mere fraction of my ACNP training. My best friend went into cardiology, which I hate, and another close friend does bariatric surgery stuff. The ACNP program was general training for a variety of inpatient/acute conditions. I can't speak too much for FNPs, since I am not one, but my impression is they are trained for the clinic or "doctor's office" setting.

Hope that helps!! :) Best of luck in your program!

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Thank you! I think I will stick with my initial decision as an ACNP. My program has a great ICU focus, but that doesn't mean that has to be where I end up afterward. I could end up working somewhere with some OR time, That would be nice.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I am applying to ACNP programs now. Ideally, I'd like to work in a hospital position and possibly cover nights if possible. I am a night person, so hopefully this will be possible for me.

Do any of you guys work nights as an ACNP?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I am applying to ACNP programs now. Ideally, I'd like to work in a hospital position and possibly cover nights if possible. I am a night person, so hopefully this will be possible for me.

Do any of you guys work nights as an ACNP?

There are night shift positions particularly in Adult ER, ICU, and hospitalist roles.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
I am applying to ACNP programs now. Ideally, I'd like to work in a hospital position and possibly cover nights if possible. I am a night person, so hopefully this will be possible for me.

Do any of you guys work nights as an ACNP?

lol...nights are always available there...you want nights, I want days....We both have CVICU experience...If you lived in Michigan we could create the perfect job !:yeah:

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Specializes in Oncology, ER/Trauma, Prev Med.

I am a FNP and was just given an offer to work in an urgent care center. The hours are M-F from 9-6p with every 4th Sunday from 1-5p.

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