I, like many others in the forum, have been recently struggling with which NP program to pursue - FNP or ACNP. I've read so many threads and talked with so many people (RNs, NPs, nurse recruiters, professors, deans) and this is the summary that I've compiled.
Does anyone have any thing to add?? Please let me know!
FNP
Pros:
Care for patients of all ages
Flexible career options (Primary care, ambulatory care, urgent care (?))
Increased need for FNP/PCNP in future of US healthcare
Increased need in underserved populations
Increased opportunity to work abroad
Will learn more about US healthcare system
Increased opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with patients
Often working with healthy patients
Opportunity to open own practice
Cons:
Ineligible to work as NP in hospital setting
Sacrifice in-depth knowledge in one population for more basic knowledge across lifespan
Often working with healthy patients
Mellow work atmosphere
Most likely working 5 days/wk, less $ than ACNP
ACNP
Pros:
In-depth knowledge in adult population
Can work anywhere in hospital (ED, ICU, Floor)
Can follow pt throughout hospital stay (trauma NP)
More fun work atmosphere
Most likely working 3-4 days/wk, more $ than FNP
Cons:
Education limited to adults
Career options limited to hospital setting
Limited ability to develop relationships with patient (?)
Yep. Some people began getting way to irate which is why i gracefully bowed away. Some ACNP feel some kinda way that i am an FNP and former critical care nurse working in critical care and do my job well. Some ACNP feel im not qualified for my job when FNP'S have been working in critical care for decades and they feel somehow because of some state consensus models that we are now all of a sudden unqualified when there is no data to support that ACNP provide better care of acutely ill patients. So. It is what it is. As you can tell i have maintain a rational attitude the entire dialogue
Not true. In many states it sure is in place. Lawyers are waiting for you.
Not sure if you were referring to my post. What I meant was that yes the consensus model is coming as it should be and is already true for many states. But it's going to take awhile to filter through to all the states. After all...it took until last year for Florida NPs to finally schedule II rights!
Yes. But no longer just ACNP. It has to be specialized. Its baffling that the core difference between ACNPC NP is ACNP AG is they dont do a peds rotation like an FNP. Their clinical setting fot training is almost identical
Not sure if you were referring to my post. What I meant was that yes the consensus model is coming as it should be and is already true for many states. But it's going to take awhile to filter through to all the states. After all...it took until last year for Florida NPs to finally schedule II rights!
I actually was referring to the Consensus Model/LACE. I should have explained myself better.
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
87 Articles; 21,287 Posts
Not so at all - we are debating a topic that is of the utmost importance to all APRN students, prospective students and even current APRNs.