ACNP- post masters certificate?

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Specializes in SICU/Trauma.

I am looking into an ACNP degree. I am looking for clarification on what is the difference between an ACNP degree as in a masters degree in it and someone who has a masters degree such as an adult NP degree and complete a post-masters certificate in acute care. Can these people practice in the same fashion? Can they both practice as ACNPs? Is one way better then the other? Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

A post-masters certificate is just further education based on your MSN.

So....I have an MSN in management and leadership (non-clinical focus).

Then....I went back to school for a post-MSN adult health CNS.

Now....I'm back in school for another post-MSN peds CNS.

What does this mean? I can see the full age range of pts.

(It also means I made some poor educational choices - lol).

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Specializes in SICU/Trauma.

To further explain my thought process here.. There is a school near me that has an ACNP program the program has been changed from a masters degree to a DNP program. My concern is spending the 5 years to complete this program. I would rather complete the MSN and then if I want be able to go back to school as I am practicing as an ACNP and gaining experience. So my thought was to complete a NP degree in Adult care and then recieve the post-masters certificate. Is this a good or bad idea? I didn't really know that the option of a post-masters certificate was there. Need some help here... Perhaps this is a poor decision and I am just unaware of the cons of doing this. Thanks

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Why are you doing both an adult health NP AND an ANCP? It doesn't expand your scope of practice does it?

What's your end goal? What kind of job?

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Specializes in SICU/Trauma.

My end goal is ACNP. The university near my offers a DNP program for ACNP, my thought process was to complete another NP degree at a different university and then do a post-masters certificate which would hopefully be a quicker route to practicing as an ACNP. Is this not a good thing to do? Should I just go for the DNP? I hope this makes sense. I guess I'm wondering if this is the quickest way to practice as an ACNP.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm....if you want to be an ACNP, I would just do that first.

What type of job are you looking at?

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