Can an NP work 2 different specialties at the same time?

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Specializes in ER.

If an NP has a specialty in FNP and also in psychiatric NP... Is it possible for an NP to work lets say in the ER on a full-time basis as an FNP and also hold a part-time position somewhere else as a psychiatric NP?

If this question is just totally crazy, I apologize. I just need to know. Any help would be great!

Z

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Why would they not be able to?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Why would you want to do that?

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Yes, in the same regards as an MD can work multiple specialites...one full time, one PRN.

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It's not crazy. I've noticed, in recent years, a number of double-boarded NPs talking about working a couple days a week in one specialty and a couple days a week in the other specialty.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

As long as the person has all the required education and certifications and collaboration, it's ok. It's also complicated to get and maintain those things.

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Specializes in ER.
Why would they not be able to?

Some industries don't allow dual licenses. For instance, when I worked in the mortgage industry, it was against the rules/ frowned apon to work as the real estate agent and the mortgage broker due to conflict of interest to the clients even if you had both licenses. You had to be very careful about disclosure and making sure that you didn't create an issue. The advantage to the broker was that they would make all of the money on the deal. I watched a mortgage broker get his license suspended for 5 years for failure to handle his dual license correctly.

So I figured that I'd ask people who are in this industry to give some clarity. I realize that mortgage and nursing are different, but I'm just curious.

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Specializes in ER.
Why would you want to do that?

Just like in the chemical industry, there are many different specialties. Sometimes you get so consumed with one thing or type of chemistry and in such detail, that you lose your skill sets in some of the other specialties of interest. For instance, I really like analytical chemistry, and I perform in this specialty everyday. However, I also like organic synthesis, but I only perform in that specialty 2 to 4 times every other month.

So with that being said...I have a strong interest in anesthesiology nursing as well as psychiatric nursing. I figure, why not do both...

That is why I asked the crazy question.

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So with that being said...I have a strong interest in anesthesiology nursing as well as psychiatric nursing. I figure, why not do both...

That is why I asked the crazy question.

If you like psych, then go for psych NP. You could pursue that without going through the whole FNP program.

However, i do not see the relation of "anesthesiology" with being an FNP. I'm sorry but i'm a little confused with this one... Please enlighten me.

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Specializes in ER.

The relationship is not a comparison of the two specialties. I have the interest in the nurse anesthetist route because of my background as a chemist. I also have an interest in psychiatric nursing because of my interest in understanding behavior of people. So the two specialties may not have anything to do with each other, but they have more to do with me and my interests.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We have several NPs in my unit who are peds and neonatal. They work full time in NICU but can help out in the peds outpatient also.

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This may be a dumb question, but if you are double-boarded as something like FNP and WHNP does this mean you went to school for FNP and back again for WHNP? Or you just took more classes to fulfill each program's requirements during the semesters aka paid more tuition? I've never read about this option on schools' MSN program websites but have recently been seeing a lot of FNP/WHNPs so am just curious.

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