So....to work in the ER ya gotta see kids...my journey for a second APN certification

Per IL scope of practice, an adult health CNS can only see pts over the age of 16. So, those of us that see patients in an ER or urgent care setting need a second APN certificate to see children. Since its been 4 years since I got my MSN and my classes are going to be expiring soon so now is the time. There are multiple routes you can choose:

1. You can choose the ACNP (acute care NP) and the PNP (peds nurse practioner). I have a friend that went this route and is very happy with this choice.

2. FNP (family nurse practitioner). In the state of IL this choice would be fine but some other states are saying that FNPs can't see acutely ill patients.

3. Adult health CNS and peds CNS. This is the route I chose. However, in IL, the scope of practice for both NP and CNS is the same so it still affords me the opportunity to be an APN (advanced practice nurse). Again - this is not the same in all states.

I chose to go back to the same college of nursing where I got my first CNS because of the ease of getting this goal accomplished. I investigated getting a PNP at a different university but they essentially wanted me to complete an entire new MSN and that's just not what I want to do. So...I registered for classes in March this year when August seemed a long way off. I knew that I was going to have to carefully arrange clinicals because I will be using PTO. I contacted about 11 potential preceptors and got about 8 replies so I hope to have an assortment of experiences. My first week of clinical is the last week in August and will be in a pediatric office setting with a PNP. So....I'm off to learn peds....