ACNP Vs. FNP

[nursemom1217]

Hello everyone! I am currently an RN in Texas with almost 2 years experience in the ICU. I pictured myself going back to school to be a CRNA but things changed when I had a baby. I now have an almost 6 month old and have started thinking about going back to school to be a NP. I am trying to decide between FNP and ACNP. I love the ICU. I love when acutely ill patients come in and I'm able to directly contribute to their stabilization. SO ACNP would seem like the obvious option but my main concern is hours. My family comes first and everything I do revolves around them. FNP seems more marketable and you can work in the ER from what I understand. FNP seems like it would be easy to find an 8-5 job, which would be what I want when my kids are in school. Any ACNPs who could give me insight into hours they work? Current responsibilities, pay, benefits,etc. FNPs who work in ERs what are your hours, responsibility, pay,benefits, etc. I am also weighing the benefits of student loan debt vs NP pay as well. From my research its worth it, I just want to make sure. I understand that I can make somewhere close to what an NP makes as an RN but that means working for an agency or being PRN, which I currently am, and I don't want to do that forever. It is important for me to love what I do and feel like I am making a difference which I feel I can find that with both FNP and ACNP but I also want to make sure I have a good family life.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Student NP forum

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

That's been kind of my concern too. I don't have kids but I am working Mon-Fri right now and I do like the schedule. However, I just can't see myself working outside of a hospital setting. I'm just happier in an acute environment so I'm doing the Acute track. I also remind myself that 3 12s are not too bad either because of the extra days off. At this point I'm investing in my career and I want to be happy in it. The schedule I will worry about when the time comes. I'm sure eventually I'll find something that suits me but it can't be the driving factor. You have to ask yourself "where do I want to work?" and then make your decision. There are a ton of people going in to FNP right now but only a small fraction of ACNPs so I'm thinking our job prospects won't be too bad in the long run. I just can't see myself working in an office at the end of the day. If I have to work different hours then so be it.

[littlepeopleRNICU]

In addition to what Rocknurse said, I also know ACNPs who do have the "typical outpatient" hours. Some DO work outpatient in specialty offices like cardiology, endocrinology, etc., or they work with an inpatient group that has these hours. One of the groups that would frequent my last job had NPs working 8-5 or 6 M-F and then sometimes 4 during the week with one weekend day (this was alternating). It just really depends. I would say look at the job prospects of the roles themselves and make your decision based on that. You can love the hours of a job all day long, but if you hate the role of the job itself, it still won't be worth it and you'll be miserable. Pick a track and worry about finding the right hours when you graduate. You can likely find what you want somewhere with either.