Acute Care NP or FNP? What should I do? New GA Practice Rules.....

[aemarsh]

Hey everyone,

I need some help making a decision on whether or not to change my degree path. Currently I am enrolled in a FNP degree path completing the last two classes of my core course work. I live in Georgia, and last fall the state passed legislature to implement the consensus model. I now have to choose where I want to work before I have even started practicing. The lovely thing about being an FNP before was the flexibility of being able to work in a doctors office right out of school and then bouncing to new positions until the "right fit" was discovered. I know a few FNPs that will come due for licensing renewal that have been practicing for 20+ years in the cardiology groups, and are having to go back to get their critical care degree because they will not be allowed a grandfather status. In my opinion this is crappy, but it is reality. Now I am second guessing my decision though; what do I want to do? How can I decide so early on either?

Here is what I do know:

I don't want to work in the hospital ICU or acute care settings, but I might want to work with a group that rounds on hospital patients. In Georgia, the language is written that if you work in the hospital at all an acute care degree is necessary. This has many NP's in my hospital scrambling to get the degree to meet their patient population before they are due for license renewal. In getting their Acute care degree they forfeit their FNP degree... you cannot hold both unless you can work two full time jobs, one in the hospital and one as an outpatient provider which is not going to happen often. Georgia is very regulated anyways, but this new law is actually causing severe rifts in the NP world since the cardiology NP's rounded on inpatients and saw outpatients at the clinics as well... they will no longer be able to do this. They will have to either work in the hospital or in the clinic, one or the other not both.

---on a side note- this is making PA's look more appetizing due to the hassle... I am not sure the consensus model is going to do what they intended for it to do, but that is not really related to my problem as much as I am concerned we may have limited job positions available after the dust settles, and I hope it does not affect me when I am looking for a job later.

Lastly, I might want to work in allergy and asthma/pulmonary, cardiac, or orthopedics one day based on my current interests. With an FNP degree can I work in an outpatient facility primarily or is that still considered acute care? Anyone currently working in one of these specialties or know what the best degree is for a specialty clinic with the new regulations?

Any insight personal or observed would be helpful.

Thanks!

[sailornurse]

BUMP to Nurse Practitioner Forum please.

[sailornurse]

Can you send a link to the Georgia State legislature bill so we can review and give feedback. The consensus model does not speak to the setttings that NP's practice in as far as I know. I am a FNP & currently work in Asthma/Allergy/Immunology at a private MD practice, I also work in acute care inpatient psych doing H&Ps. But I live in New Mexico where NP's have independent practice. I also know FNPs who work cardiology, derm, as hospitalists in local hospitals. I will need to review the consensus model & get back to this discussion.

[aemarsh]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/enp-network-assets/production/attachments/52431/original/FNPs_acute_BON.pdf?2015

Here is a synopsis of the Georgia law changes an Emory University professor wrote about and included links to the link above and the consensus model as well. Hope that helps. Thanks for looking!

**IMPORTANT** changes to licensure for FNPs working in acute care | Gwinnett Forsyth Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to NP forum

[sailornurse]

Ok I am still looking into this.

Here is something I found.

http://sos.ga.gov/PLB/acrobat/Forms/38%20Reference%20-%20Position%20Statement%20-%20Family%20Nurse%20Practitioners%20in%20Acute%20Care%20Settings.pdf

And then I went back to read the links you posted, so double check me. The link I posted is dated after the first 2 links but now I'm a bit confused, it sounds like they retracted the position statement.

This guy says they retracted it.

Comment posted by Orlin Marquez 6 months ago

The Georgia Board of Nursing has retracted this position statement as of July 2015. Please refer to: http://sos.ga.gov/PLB/acrobat/Forms/38%20Reference%20-%20Position%20Statement%20-%20Family%20Nurse%20Practitioners%20in%20Acute%20Care%20Settings.pdf

What guidance is your faculty offering or are they just as befuddled? Ya know it is difficult enough wading through legislative jargon!!!

I am glad to hear Georgia APRNs are organized. Quickly found the website. Curiously noted that Psych CNS are considered in a different APRN role. Ya, Georgia recognizes 5 types of APRNs.

Keep us posted. I will continue to research as time permits.

And aemarsh, welcome to AN!

**IMPORTANT** changes to licensure for FNPs working in acute care | Gwinnett Forsyth Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

[PG2018]

I don't know why you'd need to be acute care certified to work outpatient anything. If such a visit requires critical treatment then somebody needs to all 911 for ALS.

I think it's stupid.

[bbcewalters, NP]

I also live in Georgia and I am in school now for my FNP as well. It is my understanding that the Georgia Board of Nursing has retracted their position at this time.

[Joebird21]

I'm not sure why you think you can't have both FNP and ACNP licenses. To be able to recertify and maintain your license in both it requires 1,000 hours within the last 5 years. That can be done. Especially for an NP that sees people outpatient and also does hospital rounds.