Can FNPs specialize?

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

I was talking to a classmate and telling him I wanted to do Cardio ACNP. He said he'd considered ACNP as well, but thought it was too restrictive, and said that FNPs could specialize in areas like cardiology.

I'm a bit confused, I always thought the FNP/ANP/PNP/GNP focused on primary care:yawn:

As you can probably guess, I don't care for primary care. :wink2:

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Depends what you mean by specialize. They can get a job in cardiology and "specialize" there. Theoretically they should do outpatient/primary care according to their training from what we've learned.

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

The way it is, if you are a FNP, you can work in both in patient and out patient acute and non acute areas. The graduate degree is just the building block, your education does not stop in the classroom and as a NP Student. I know FNPs that work in cardiology who harvest veins, etc.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

It is important to look at your individual state's Nurse Practice act, and see if there are any restrictions on practice. I know of at least one NP professional organization that is lobbying various state boards of nursing that a FNP, as a primary care role, should not be working in inpatient areas.

So the answer about FNP practice restrictions (or lack thereof) will vary across the 50 states.

[VivaRN]

Depends on your state laws and/or your previous nursing experience and comfort level. My FNP program did not prepare me to work inpatient nor was I seeking that environment. The closest we got is perhaps fast-track ER.

FNP's can specialize in the outpatient clinic environment. Though, because the education is focused on primary care, it helps to have previous RN experience, do a clinical rotation or CME - something extra in that area. Or they have to be willing to train you from scratch.

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

I admit I'm still a bit confused...although probably that's because practices vary so much from state to state.

How would, say, an ANP differ from an ACNP? If both can work in inpatient settings and specialize and dealt with acute illness...

[pfruechting]

I'm an FNP that has been in orthopedics for 12 years now. I am certified by National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON). So yes, you can specialize in that regard, yet your national certification (which is what you need for most any employer from any state) is by ANCC as a FNP.

[YellowBoneRN]

I'm an FNP that has been in orthopedics for 12 years now. I am certified by National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON). So yes, you can specialize in that regard, yet your national certification (which is what you need for most any employer from any state) is by ANCC as a FNP.

Did you sit for an exam for the cert? I am going to FNP school in the fall. I wanted to get some speciality in pediatrics but did not want to do PNP. I want to see adults and kids. Any suggestions? Any websites? How did you get certification in ortho?

[pfruechting]

I recommend the FNP if you're interested in more than one area. Life is funny. You never know what you will actually end up doing, or where you may move to, or how your interests will change over the years. The doc you work with can instill a passion for an area you weren't previously interested in or vice versa.

After you graduate, your school will help set you up to take the ANCC exams....analgous to RN exams except at NP level. Check out specialty organizations for the field you are interested in. ANA has a list of specialty exams. Many are at RN level. Mine was at NP level within National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses. You usually have to have a certain number of hours or years experience before sitting for certifying exams.

Hope that helps!