FNP with specialty in peds or PNP?

[jenj1928]

One of the schools I'm looking at offers both a PNP and a FNP that offers a "specialty in peds", what are your opinions as to how the FNP would prepare me to work primarily with peds vs the PNP. And I'm assuming some will say with the FNP I would have more options for working/finding a good position as well right? I'm just wondering if a peds practice would not look at a FNP and prefer a PNP?

And to be honest one reason I want to do the FNP is that the PNP requires 1yr inpatient peds prior to enrollment, the FNP does not and I would prefer not to take a year off of school. At 34 with 3 kids I really don't want to get out of the school mode that my family/I have become accustomed to. I've managed a very high GPA while working part time and school, and volunteering at the health dept for child safety events. Plus I have over 5yrs experience doing case management for disabled children in our county, so working with families of special needs children is a passion of mine and I truely miss working with my families! I need to get back into family/child healthcare not working as a tech in the ICU while I finish school. I'm learning alot there but it has only reinforced the fact I want to work with families and peds!

I'm just really having a hard time trying to decide what program to do. And the nearest inpatient peds unit is over an hour away (we're in a rural area and the big city children's hospital is great just a bit long to travel at this point).

here is what the school says about the FNP: "With this educational preparation and background students may choose to specialize in pediatrics, women's health, or adult internal medicine."

Thanks for any input you all have, I value the opinions of those that are already there!

Jen

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

I had a couple of PNPs as clinical instructors during my undergraduate degree, and they all recommended going for FNP due to the increased flexibility when it comes to finding a job. The (pediatric) hospital that I work for hires FNPs just as readily as PNPs.

I would question whether the FNP degree would really be faster, because in my experience these programs require more credits than PNP programs. This is true even of programs at the same university. Even though there is a one year practice requirement, if you are truly interested in the PNP you may be able to start your courses as a "special" or non-degree student. I would speak with the adviser at your school to find out if this is an option. I was able to take a course this past spring even though I was not formally admitted to the graduate school, and this helped to ease my workload this fall.

Good luck and fee free to PM me anytime.

[pedspnp]

I too am facing the same dilemma, my first love has always been pediatrics, and that is what I did for 10 years before I moved to a small town, in Illinois 5 years ago, since then I have done some peds off and on and am now the clinical nurse coordinator for a pediatric clinic 3 days a week. I thought I would go for my FNP, but I am not crazy about the adult population, my love is with children, but I am concerned because I have not done direct bedside care in 4 years with kids that I would have a hard time. Any thought s out there would be appreciated.:smackingf

[RN prn]

I'm having a hard time deciding which masters track to apply to, as well. I don't know if I need to have the PNP to work in pediatrics. Did you find out any information to whether or not FNPs can work in pediatrics?

As soon as I have some information available, I'd be happy to give it to you. That is if you haven't applied to a program yet. Good luck!

[jenj1928]

thanks for posting! I ended up applying to the FNP program, one of the reasons being the PNP program was at a private school, the FNP a state one. Plus my undergrad is at the same school as the FNP program. BUT besides that I looked a a few postings at the children's hospital and they were saying advanced practice nurse with PNP, FNP or even a CNS with maternal/child focus were all qualified applicants, so that made me feel better. I figure if I really end up enjoying peds I can always do a post master's addition in peds to my FNP? Gosh will I ever get out of school!!LOL!! Best of luck to you and let me know what you find as well.

[RN prn]

I would have definitely gone to a public school over private to do the FNP if I was in your situation. I am actually leaning heavily toward to the FNP and hopefully I will be able to find a job in a peds practice... maybe it would help if I work in peds/picu/nicu as an RN. I'm still making the decision as which way I would like to lean, but I am taking a semester break between graduation and grad school to gain some clinical experience. Hope school is going well for you! If I come across anymore info, I'll definitely post it.

P.S. About the professional student... I'm right there with you.