ACNP and NNP/WHNP

Published

i have a couple of specific questions related to combinations of specialties and how those possible combinations tie into future trends in healthcare.

i am interested in acute care / cardiovascular np practice. however, as i do more research, i am becoming more interested in nnp and whnp areas. my question is, are there any nps out there who have one or more of these possible combinations of specialties, and if so, what are your areas of responsibility? is it possible to work in both hosptial and a practice in these fields? is this too specific in that there would be few positions out there for someone who had a combination of these specialties? how does one go about gaining more than one specialty? i assume you aren't required to obtain multiple master degrees.

regarding whnp, are these considered generalists in this particular field of healthcare? within wh, can an np specialize in nnp or pnp? do these fields even relate to one another? lastly, would the fact that i am a man be detrimental to a whnp practice? are there men in the field?

regarding future healthcare trends, based upon your real world knowledge, are these types of combined specialties going to be needed or wanted in the future?

the best piece of career advice i ever recieved was to make sure i don't ever 'specialize' myself into a corner, meaning avoid becoming so speicalized that your services are not in demand.

i am trying to balance between identifying a field or combination there of that assures i am in demand now and in the future while at the same time, not specializing myself out of existance

i appreciate any input you can provide me.:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, Future NurseMan.

It's great you're interested in so many advanced practice specialties. I'll tell you what I know, and then hopefully some of the more experienced members will weigh in. If you're interested in acute care/cardiovascular advanced practice nursing, you would probably be looking at becoming an acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP). There are separate training programs for adult ACNPs and pediatric ACNPs. As a WHNP, you would mainly be working in an outpatient primary care setting. If you wanted to do women's health AND acute care, you would probably have to get both certifications. Another option is getting your FNP (family nurse practitioner). Many cardiology groups will hire FNPs to see their outpatient population, and FNPs are also trained/qualified women's health care providers. If you're really interested in working inpatient, though, FNP may not be the way to go. NNP is a very specialized type of nurse practitioner who pretty much only works in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). If you wanted to work as a NNP and in women's health, for example, you would have to get both certifications. I don't think you would find many jobs that combine the specialties you're interested in, but you might be able to piece together a couple of part-time jobs in different specialties. As far as obtaining additional specialty training, after your master's degree, you would complete a post-master's certificate (which would allow you to gain an additional specialty without completing a master's degree all over again). If you're interested in many different specialties, though, you might consider becoming a physician assistant (PA). PAs and NPs have essentially the same roles, however, PAs are trained as generalists, and as such, are able to switch specialties easily without having to obtain additional training/certification. I think the only way you could specialize yourself into a corner is if you pursued WHNP by itself.

Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

i have never heard of a combined NNP and WHNP job. those specialities are so different...

if you're interested in doing womens health and taking care of kids to (not critical care though... NNP is critical care) you could get an FNP as an FNP can do both. you could work in a family practice that follows OB as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

My short answer (I'll add more later) is that at least in my limited experience in the NNP arena, NNPs are in HUGE demand. It's once specialty that cannot fill slots fast enough. I receive around 50 NNP job listings via email from one site each week. I found my niche in NICU, so I decided to go for my NNP. One thing about the NNP is that you have to complete 2 years of Level III NICU experience before graduating from the master's program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all of the good advice. As I work through the process of narrowing fields, I need all the help I can get. It is appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

within the nicu population, what percentage of babies have cardiovascular issues? in terms of percentages, what other types of problems do you see in nicu?

do you see nicu as a high demand specialty into the future?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
within the nicu population, what percentage of babies have cardiovascular issues? in terms of percentages, what other types of problems do you see in nicu?

from my experience last night, the proportion was two out of three ;)

more seriously, cardiac issues are a large proportion of what we see. only exceeded by all the issues that come along with prematurity (especially respiratory, digestive, and neuro). steve can probably give you a better answer than that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My short answer (I'll add more later) is that at least in my limited experience in the NNP arena, NNPs are in HUGE demand. It's once specialty that cannot fill slots fast enough. I receive around 50 NNP job listings via email from one site each week. I found my niche in NICU, so I decided to go for my NNP. One thing about the NNP is that you have to complete 2 years of Level III NICU experience before graduating from the master's program.

Steve, I've been reading your NICU posts since before I was even in nursing school. I guess you were sort of my "male in NICU" archetype ;)

Seriously, I think you are going to make a great NNP, and you are not going to be one of those NNPs (like most I work with, alas) who apparently have forgotten that they were ever a NICU RN. I'm counting on you, dude!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

steve,

i noticed you list both nicu and picu as specialties. are you certified in both? also, do you see both populations on a regular basis? just want to know if this is a good combination.

thanks steve!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
within the nicu population, what percentage of babies have cardiovascular issues? in terms of percentages, what other types of problems do you see in nicu?

do you see nicu as a high demand specialty into the future?

it really depends on where you work. the nicu i first worked at was awesome at caring for premature infants and their associated respiratory, infection and nutritional issues. we had to ship out our cardiac patients to our regional heart center. i moved up to nyc, and i would guess that 30% of our patients are cardiacs, since we are a regional heart center. we are one of few units that keeps our cardiacs postoperatively. most other facilities send their babies to picu once they have heart surgery.

i love open heart cardiacs.....

i would say that prematurity accounts for about 50%, (and includes respiratory distress syndrome, gi issues, infection, patent ductus issues, etc) and the remainder are complex surgical cases or genetics. (omphalocele, gastroschisis, neuro issues)

steve, i've been reading your nicu posts since before i was even in nursing school. i guess you were sort of my "male in nicu" archetype ;)

seriously, i think you are going to make a great nnp, and you are not going to be one of those nnps (like most i work with, alas) who apparently have forgotten that they were ever a nicu rn. i'm counting on you, dude!

thanks! i'm already kind of sad to be changing to "the other side of the bed". but at the same time, i'm glad i can still be at the bedside a great deal as an nnp.

steve,

i noticed you list both nicu and picu as specialties. are you certified in both? also, do you see both populations on a regular basis? just want to know if this is a good combination.

thanks steve!

i have worked nicu ft for almost 4 years. up until last july, i worked about 1-2 shifts a week in picu, where i voluntarily crosstrained. i enjoy the change of pace and diagnoses, but nicu is still where i'm totally in my element.

i have my rnc in neonatal intensive care. i had to wait until i had 2 years level iii experience to get it, which was good, since that exam was a bugger.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion