ENP programs

You just need to make sure that you take a certifying exam for adults and one for peds too.

This is the biggie with the RUsh program. I run into the program director at a conference that we both attended and she states that they have pediatric clinicals. However, they take the ACNP exam and in IL, that only allows you to see people age 16 and up. So...it doesn't matter what kind of clinicals you take, if you don't take the certifying exam to see both adults and kids, you are still stuck.

My main goal is to work in a Level I Trauma Center as a Trauma NP (not a Children's hospital). Would my best bet be to complete a ACNP program and then while worknig as a ACNP, go back and do a post-masters ACPNP program?

UT-Arlington also has a ENP program that is fairly good. Graduates are certified as FNPs in order to cover them from birth to death. Programs vary in how they prepare students. Some really only arrange your clinicals in ERs or more acute settings but otherwise not any different. The better programs actually offer some modification of whatever base program you would be certified in (ACNP, FNP, etc...) to prepare you for the unique nature of emergency care. Since you said your goal was to work in a level I trauma center I would think that the more specialize training you can get related to emergency medicine would be advantageous. And yes, all ENP programs really do is pad your resume, your certification will be the same as any other FNP or ACNP but hopefully your program will give you more specific didactics and clinicals that will better prepare you for the ER.

Personally, yes I think the way to go is the ACNP and then ACPNP.

However, the caveat to this one is that at the level one trauma center where I live, they have a large residency program and don't use ANY mid-levels. I work in a community hospital ER because of this.

I'm an adult CNS (since 05/06) and am doing another post-MSN peds CNS.

Not sure if you want a specific state, but UMD has an acute care/emergency/critical care program. I can't remember exactly what it's called. But you are trained in acute care with a lot of trauma, critical care, and ER focus. Not sure about the Peds part though. You'd have to look up the program specifics. Here's the link to UMD's website. http://nursing.umaryland.edu/