Acute Care NP vs. Family

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all, I am looking for objective feedback from you all. I am at a crossroads. I have been an emergency RN for most of my career, and am now doing critical care education. It feel is time for me to pursue my NP. I love the ER, and am not sure if any of you are working as an NP in this setting. I am also in the midst of my career, and I want to be as marketable as I can be. I understand the differences in the two specialties; ACNP more for hospital setting, etc. I just wanted to know if I decided to pursue a job in the ER, which specialty will allow me to do so. I am having trouble figuring out which track to pursue, FNP or ACNP. I also reside in Florida, so if anyone has more specific feedback on their experiences this would be a bonus! I thank you all for your advice, in advance.

Respectfully,

Kim

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Specializes in Wound Care, Med-Surg, Rehab.

I am currently obtaining my FNP as I want to do more stable disease management. However, a friend of mine is an ER nurse and is also doing FNP because her ER only hires FNPs. They want those with the scope and ability to treat children. I’m not sure what the scope is for an ACNP as I have never looked at it. To me it would make more sense for an ER trained NP to have acute care training. This is in Texas and only one facility- it may be different in Florida.

Clear as mud? ??

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

FNP is super oversaturated in my area of the country (DFW) with hot demand for ACNP. Research your area before you decide.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and emergency nursing.

There are combined AC/FNP programs out there that would allow the graduate to provide acute care to adults in a hospital setting, and adults/children in a primary care setting. While it's two board certifications to maintain, it would give you a little more flexibility and marketability, especially in areas that may have moved to an "acute care only in the ER" model.

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Specializes in RN experience including acute rehab, ICU, PACU.

I also currently reside in Florida and work as an RN in PACU. We are seeing more NP roles with surgical teams but I am also trying to decide on FNP vs. ACAGNP. My main hesitation with ACAGNP is not having pediatric experience. I don't wish to work with kids but I know most EDs will not hire with pediatric experience. I think FNP is more marketable but I was told all clinicals are done in the outpatient setting. Not sure if this makes it difficulty to get a job in the hospital setting after?

*without pediatric experience

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