ER NP and jobs in the field

[cadency]

Hi :)

I'm interested in specializing as an ER NP, and I'm currently looking up graduate programs but I'm having a rather difficult time finding colleges that offer specific ER NP programs. Is there any easier way to go about searching for this program other than examining every single possible graduate nursing school? Also, since there is a lack of specialized programs for ER NP, is there any difficulty in finding a job in this field? Is there a better route to go with this? Is there any difference in pay for ER NPs vs any other NP programs?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[vagurl84]

i know this posting is old, but these are what i have found searching for an enp program:

• university of texas-arlington-enp:

http://www.uta.edu/nursing/grad/enp

• the university of texas-school of nursing at houston-enp:

http://son.uth.tmc.edu/sao/msn.cfm

[color=#003300]

• emory school of nursing-enp (certification as an fnp):

http://www.nursing.emory.edu/nursing/admissions/msn/enpa.shtml

• university of south alabama-enp:

http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/enp.html

• Vanderbilt University: fnp w/[color=#003300]acute care nurse practitioner emergency care focus area (requires two years of experience):

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/fnpacnpec.html

• ucsf school of nursing: critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialist:

http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/spec-acp.htm

i am starting the program at emory because you get the emergency and primary care experience and are eligible for family np certification.

[VivaRN]

Is it true that not all states recognize the ENP certification? Wouldn't it be better to be an FNP (or ENP/FNP) for greater versatility?

Also, I wonder if people going right from BSN-ENP have trouble finding jobs... the few ads I've seen for ENP's require considerable experience. I imagine it might be difficult to feel comfortable in the ECC without some kind of experience. However quite a few people in my grad program are going that route (BSN-ENP).

Not meaning to start up the "RN experience" debate... just curious about how that influences job choices and comfort level.

Anyone know more or have experience with this?

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I am not aware that there is an ENP certification available. I know that there are a few ENP programs but my understanding is that their graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification exam. A focused ENP program may limit your employment opportunities and this is probably the reason why these programs are combined with a traditional FNP track. A few hybrid programs have also sprouted combining both ACNP and FNP with an emergency NP focus (see: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/fnpacnpec.html). These, I think, are the best routes to go if you have an interest in the ENP role but would like to widen your training so that you can seek other employment routes if an ENP job is not available to you when you graduate.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

i am not aware that there is an enp certification available. i know that there are a few enp programs but my understanding is that their graduates are eligible to take the fnp certification exam. a focused enp program may limit your employment opportunities and this is probably the reason why these programs are combined with a traditional fnp track. a few hybrid programs have also sprouted combining both acnp and fnp with an emergency np focus (see: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/fnpacnpec.html). these, i think, are the best routes to go if you have an interest in the enp role but would like to widen your training so that you can seek other employment routes if an enp job is not available to you when you graduate.

you are correct, pinoynp.

the apn educated as enp can sit for the ancc or acnp fnp certification after successful completion of their enp program.

from ut @ arlington:

emergency nurse practitioner (enp) scope of practice

the emergency nurse practitioner (enp) program prepares advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to provide emergency and urgent health care services to individuals of all ages. emphasis is on the management of acute illnesses, trauma, and/ or chronic unstable illnesses requiring immediate attention, stabilizing the individual's condition, and determining appropriate referral and follow-up care. enps provide care in ambulatory, urgent care, and emergency department settings. many graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the board of nurse examiners and to take the family nurse practitioner national certification examination through the american nurses credentialing center or the academy of nurse practitioners

and, many consider the apn role as a critical care/trauma specialist:

american association for critical care nurses ~ ccns

the critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialist

because inpatient care focuses increasingly on treating the sickest of the sick, the need for advanced practice nurses to provide and coordinate care in emergency rooms, trauma, critical care, and intensive care units has never been greater.

critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialists fill that role. they bring clinical expertise to acute care across a variety of health care settings, and lead the care management processes that are essential in today's health care environment. many also play a vital teaching and research role; from the front lines they lend a unique and essential perspective to understanding a range of issues confronting nurses.

university of texas - arlington

university of texas - houston

university of south alabama - college of nursing

vanderbilt university school of nursing

emory university school of nursing

university of california, san francisco

[vagurl84]

I have been accepted to Emory's ENP for this fall, but they allow you to defer your admission for a year. I plan on getting ICU or emergency experience in this year since I am just finishing my BSN in May. I think you could get through without experience, but the experience would really help when it comes to the skills dealing with drips and so on. Also, I know with Emory's program, you have both ENP and FNP classes and clinicals. Being certified as an FNP would allow you to be qualified for a broader range of jobs. You get the emergency experience, but also the primary care experience with all ages. Also, in the emergency room, you do practice a lot of primary/urgent care.

[WSNCnurse]

I am having the same problem deciding between Family NP and Adult NP - the NP's in my area I have talked to say I shouldn't have a problem finding a job with the Adult - However, all of the jobs I see posted online are for Family!

[vagurl84]

For some reason, it seems to me that I tend to run into mor FNPs, both in adult primary care, peds primary care, and on units that care for a range of ages. I love peds, so I like the FNP becuase I get peds. I have heard of a lot of PNPs going back to school to get their FNPs in my area because there ar not enough PNP jobs. I haven't heard of ANPs going back for an FNP. The FNP is good if you want to work in the hospital on a unit, such as a burn unit, where you will be taking care of all ages in a specialty. It's also great if you work in a rural area where you will have every age of patient. There are certainly more jobs out there for ANPs than PNPs though. It just depends on where you might want to work in the future. Being an FNP would open more doors for you in terms of jobs.

[WSNCnurse]

Yes, I agree. The FNP would open more doors. The problem is that in my area the only school that offers the FNP is not a school that I wish to attend and as crazy as it sounds, I don't want to do the program online...I actually want to go to class because that way I feel I will be getting the most from my education. Since my background is adult, I think I'm going to go ahead with my plan for the ANP and see how it goes when I am done. I know I can get a job on the Ortho, Trauma, Vascular, and CT Surgery units and the ED also uses ANP's at my hospital. The problem I think I will run into is if I want to venture out of the hospital, like you say, into the rural area (which is where I currently live!). However, even then, there are specialty practices such as Cardio, Neuro, etc., that I think I would be able to get a job as well. That is 3 years down the road so I am hoping it will all fall into place! Wish me luck!

[vagurl84]

You can always get a post-master's as an FNP if you decide to. Good luck!