ACNP vs FNP --Help please!

[mrmike]

I am currently a student in an NP program. I am in the Emergency Track which is really just a dual track. Acute care and Familly. This track interested me due to its versatility. I am undecided as to which avenue to persue after school, and figured this track most marketable and helped me with my indicision. I have worked in ICU and ER for 6 years. I am interested in working with specialist (cardiology, neuro etc), but also open to ER work (minor care), and clinic work. My dilema is the hours and length of program. Being a dual program, clinical hours are double and it is 1 semester longer. I knew this going in, but after 2 semesters it is clear the workload will probably be too much for me and my family. The delima lies in which track now? Family vs. Acute care. I have heard it is more about experience then certification. Obviously Acute car cant see kids, so this seems limiting. I know a FNP that just got on with a cardiaologist (ICU RN). Also would need to be FNP to work in mnor care or clinic. What are some opinions for me with my indicision of future track. I have to pick track by 4/1. Where do you work as ACNP or FNP? Do you have to be certified this way to work where you work? Any info would help. Thanks

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Hi,

I am a FNP who works strictly outpatient. I worked for about 2 1/2 years in a community health center as a primary care provider (adults only). I recently changed jobs and now work in a specialty practice (Asthma and Allergy) seeing both peds and adults. My question to you is what setting do you really want to work in? Would you rather be hospital based or outpatient/private practice based? I think the ACNP is the way to go if you want a hospitalist or ER position, and don't really mind not seeing kids. If you are interested in a specialty or outpatient primary care/urgent care position, FNP may give you more flexibility. You can always go back to school at a later date and get a post-Master's cert in another specialty, should you want to change your focus at a later date.

[Tinabeanrn]

It is my understanding that they are eliminating the ACNP certification with the ANNC so please look into it before you go that route. I have worked in the ICU for 6 years and work with ACNPs there. They usually work in ICUs, cardiology, neuro, or anywhere in the inpatient setting. FNPs usually work in the outpatient or inpatient setting. I know FNPs that work in the ICU as well given their nursing background is in ICU (like me) but they really discourage you from doing that now. Family NPs can see kids, and because of that they can work in ER's and Urgent cares. So it really depends on you. If you want an outpatient job or ER, I would lean towards the FNP job. If you want something that is gonna be strictly inpatient or outpatient cardiology, GI, neuro then go with the ACNP. But check the ANNC first. They are changing that to just Adult or something along those lines, for sure. Hope this helps and best wishes :)

[Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP]

I live in MS, and we have urgent care clinics that only see age 16 and up. Just saying. It's not all about being able to see kids. Also, let's say if I was with a cardiologist, if we encountered a pediatric case, we'd just ship it off to the closest children's specialty hospital. So, in my area, not being able to do peds is not much of a restriction to hiring.

[Tinabeanrn]

Sounds like you made up your mind then . Best wishes :)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

It is my understanding that they are eliminating the ACNP certification with the ANNC so please look into it before you go that route. I have worked in the ICU for 6 years and work with ACNPs there. They usually work in ICUs, cardiology, neuro, or anywhere in the inpatient setting. FNPs usually work in the outpatient or inpatient setting. I know FNPs that work in the ICU as well given their nursing background is in ICU (like me) but they really discourage you from doing that now. Family NPs can see kids, and because of that they can work in ER's and Urgent cares. So it really depends on you. If you want an outpatient job or ER, I would lean towards the FNP job. If you want something that is gonna be strictly inpatient or outpatient cardiology, GI, neuro then go with the ACNP. But check the ANNC first. They are changing that to just Adult or something along those lines, for sure. Hope this helps and best wishes :)

Adult ACNP certification is not being eliminated. ANCC and AACN are the two certifying bodies that currently offer the Adult ACNP exam. Both ANCC and AACN are broadening the examination scope to include content in Gerontology making the new official title of the certification "Adult and Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner". The new exam is to be offered in 2013. This is in keeping with the Consenus Model which states that NP's in adult tracks (the soon to be former ACNP and ANP as we currently know it) are to be combined with the Gerontology track because the GNP track is being eliminated. The Consensus Model also clarifies the age group as adolescents to older adults.

[Tinabeanrn]

Thanks Juan. I knew they were changing that certification around to some affect. So they are gonna be combined. Will there be more clinical hours required then?

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

In theory, more didactic and clinical hours will be required. Guidelines on curricular changes have not been released either by ANCC or AACN. Typically, the NP field looks to NONPF (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties) for direction on what competencies are required in each of the NP tracks. The other AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing as opposed to American Association of Critical-Care Nurses), also weighs in on curricular issues and accreditation but this group has not issued any guidelines either. We will all wait and see but the bottom line is the Adult Acute Care option will continue to be available.

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

I think it all depends on the population you wish to work with. Do you like caring for acutely/chronically ill patients or does primary care appeal to you? FNP education focuses on primary care of patients while ACNP education focuses on the management of acute and chronic illnesses. ACNPs are not limited to hospitals. They are often utilized in various clinics such as cardiac and pulmunary based clinics.

Also, there is a current trend where facilities want the APN role to match education. Some facilities are requiring their FNPs who work in acute care to obtain a post-masters ACNP certification in order to continue in their role. I think you should figure out what type of career you want and what role you desire. I like sick patients and primary care does not appeal to me at all so that sealed the deal for me. It may be different for you.

[Tinabeanrn]

It will be interesting to see what they do with it.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

I've not seen any facilities in my states doing that. FNPs are still doing solo ER in many rural areas.

In fact Washington has it codified.

Q#11. An ARNP is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is working strictly in

the specialty area of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Does it matter that he/she never sees

adults? Will he/she be able to go back and work with adults some time in the future?

A#11. An ARNP may choose to sub-specialize within his or her scope of practice. At any

point in his or her career this may change, as jobs and community needs change. An ARNP

cannot expand his or her scope to an age range beyond the initial educational preparation (i.e.

an Adult Nurse Practitioner cannot start seeing children without going back to school to

complete the Family Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program).

[mrmike]

Thanks for the input.