Combined NNP/PNP programs

Specialties NP

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Are there any programs that offer (formally or informally) an NNP and PNP? I'm interested in both PICU and NICU, but the job market for NNPs seems to be much better than PNPs in the PICU. If possible, it'd be nice to do both to have an option (if I moved to a new area for example, I could look for a PICU job OR NNP job)...

Anyone known of something like this/someone who's done this?

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Specializes in PICU.

Hi, I just saw your post, I am interested in the same type of program. I know that Duke University has this program, but I'm not sure of any other schools that offer it. If you find any others, please post it.

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Hi, I just saw your post, I am interested in the same type of program. I know that Duke University has this program, but I'm not sure of any other schools that offer it. If you find any others, please post it.

The only problem with Duke's program is that it's geared towards Rural health. I don't know about you, but if I got a PNP, I'd really want to do PICU. I'm sure that the PNP from the Duke program would count, but I don't know how much it would prepare you for PICU. I think the clinicals are geared towards primary care.

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Specializes in NICU.

Dukes PNP program is aimed at rural pediatrics/primary care. They do have an Acute care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program as well that is aimed at PICU care. I am not sure if they will do the dual NNP/PNP-AC. Something to look into. There are many other programs that offer the dual NNP/PNP programs - as I looked into this years ago.

Good luck.

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Specializes in PICU.

If I go for my NNP, then do a post masters's certificate in PNP or the reverse, will the PNP have to also be acute care to work in a hospital setting with children? Or will the NNP suffice the acute care component of training?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I am also interested in this route.... I am starting on my NNP at Columbia this fall, and my plan is once my NNP is complete, to take all the PNP classes that weren't duplicated to the NNP track (a lot are) which are about 6 classes, and add a peds acute care subspecialty. Hopefully this won't take me longer than a year, maybe 1 1/2 after my NNP is done.

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I am also interested in the NNP but still have a long way to go! Does anybody know the best and fastest way to go from RN(diploma) to NNP by any chance?

I am from Montreal and still trying to figure out which one is the best program out there.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

You can do a RN->MSN bridge program to your NNP. I am not familiar with any Canadian programs.....

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I was looking at Rush University's NP program and saw that you can do a master's program for the NNP and then do a post-masters certificate in either pediatrics (PNP) or Acute Chronic Pediatrics (ACPNP). Also, if you don't want to do NNP, you can do either the other two as a master's program.

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I was looking at Rush University's NP program and saw that you can do a master's program for the NNP and then do a post-masters certificate in either pediatrics (PNP) or Acute Chronic Pediatrics (ACPNP). Also, if you don't want to do NNP, you can do either the other two as a master's program.

Check with your state's Board of Nursing before going through the dual programs. I live in TX and completed an Adult/Geriatric NP program in another state...I'm certified by the ANCC in both. Unfortunately, Texas WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE DUAL PROGRAM! They told me to choose between the Geriatric NP or Adult NP, so obviously I chose the Adult NP. It makes me mad that I'm not recognized by the state of TX as a Geriatric NP b/c I completed a recognized program AND I passed the exam!

Also, there was a combination FNP/ER NP program at UT-Houston and some of their graduates couldn't get certified as EITHER in a couple of states...I believe Oregon was one of them. Those poor NP's completed an extremely difficult program and passed the FNP exam (not sure if there's an exam for ER NP?), but they will either have to go back to school or move to another state in order to work as a NP. Just because someone has graduated from a program and passed the certification boards does NOT mean they will get board certified in some states. It's absolutely ridiculous!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Another thing is that most dual-cert programs won't let you start working as one while you finish the other. eg, you finish the FNP part but are still working on the GNP... you can't work as either until you're done with both.

This is usually ONLY in regards to dual-cert programs.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

can an acute care PNP (not the primary care... acute care) work in the NICU?

why not just do that?

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