FNP-Psych NP

[fallinnstyle]

I am looking into getting into a psych NP program because that's where my interest lies currently. I however don't want to pigeon hole myself that I can not do other things if I so choose in the future.

Here then lies my question....If I do the psych NP now and later decided I wanted to be a FNP, would I have to do the whole FNP program? Or If I choose to do a FNP now, is there a certification or accelerated courses I can take later to become licensed as a psych NP? or would I still need to get enrolled into and complete a psych NP program after the FNP?

Thanks. I hope my question makes sense.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

Some of the common, core classes from the MSN would likely apply (theory, research, pharm, assessment, patho). The two programs would have different clinical/content classes. You would also need to complete at least 500 practicum hours for each distinct program.

In the past the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (which oversees most of the advanced certification exams) used to permit some practicum hours to apply for more than one specialty area. But this has changed.

My University used to have a Psych NP and FNP dual certification program. But this was an 80-credit program and had nearly 1250 practicum hours. The faculty felt that this was just too much time (and tuition $$). So we ended the dual certification program and allowed students to come back for a second certification (1 year fulltime) as a post-masters student.