Can NPs specialize in Pain Management? Any NPs in PM?

Specialties NP

Published

Hi, everyone! I'm new here.

I'm just wondering if NPs can specialize in pain management? If so, is there some kind of certification or credential?

What generally is an NPs scope of practice in pain management? Do they do a lot of med management?

What kinds of settings can they work in? Can they work in both inpatient (surgical, oncology, etc) or just outpatient chronic pain clinics?

What kind of NP would be appropriate for this position: FNP, ACNP, ANP, etc?

What kind of pay can an NP expect in pain management for both inpatient and outpatient?

Also, what is the job outlook for NPs in this position? Are they need in this area and are there jobs out there for it?

If anybody can answer these questions or if anybody here is an NP in PM, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

I use to work at a large children's hospital and they had a pain team and there were 2 NPs on that team. They would manage PCA orders and assess if the current dosing was working or not, etc. The team covered the whole hospital. I would assume this type of NP would be a ACNP since its inpatient.

Thanks! What kind of patients did they work with? Was there a specific specialty area or was it patients with different medical conditions experiencing pain? Did they have to prescribe or perform any minor procedures at all?

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I did a pain and palliative rotation during NP school so I know quite a few NPs working in the field in varied environments including in-patient, consult services, ambulatory, and in-home. Most are FNPs though I know a few ANPs and ACNPs as well.

We do a fair amount of med management and contracting but much of it is psychosocial and staff education.

Money is a bit less than other specialities; my onc job offer was almost 15% higher then the pal care offer, but that varies with setting.

Jobs are out there and it's a growing field. It is hard for new grad NPs to go straight into pal care as they often want onc or primary care NPs.

I am an NP that has worked in pain management for the past 6 years. 90% of my practice is inpatient (hospital based). My role covers both acute and chronic pain patients of all ages. A FNP degree is most desirable due to the fact that we do manage many patients under the age of 18. Salaries vary greatly, and depend on the location of the practice. I practice in NYC, so my salary tends be on the higher end as compared to some of my collegues in the south. The job market for this is up and down. It is my understanding that an Advanced Practice Certification exam for pain management is in the works and should be offered in the next year or two.

Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

The NPs and MDs on pain team covered the whole hospital so any patient the resident needed a pain consultation on. Yes the wrote the orders and would manage these patients. Also they would monitor wean scores for patients weaning off of narcotics. I'm not sure if they performed any procedures,

+ Add a Comment