Acute care NP vs FNP

[msicutodnp]

Hello all!

Quick question for acute care np and fnp - Do either of these specialities have the ability to follow patients both inpatient and outpatient? Do any of you currently practice with this kind of schedule? Thinking that is the kind of work I would like to do, if possible.

Thanks!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

What exactly do you want to do? With the Consensus Model gaining strength, although slowly, there is definitely a difference in education with regard to to inpt or outpt.

[pro-student]

You would have better luck with following patients across settings with the ACNP. The Consensus Model does differentiate acuity from age-defined scope of practice but the acute vs primary care specialties are distinguished on the needs of pts treated not the setting care is delivered. That means ACNP doesn't necessarily mean inpt only. Many ACNPs work in specialty practices and see pts in both in and outpts settings. FNPs, on the other hand, are really only appropriate treating primary care issues which would preclude most inpt work (at least without additional training/certifications).

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I am an FNP, I work in a cardiology office, and see pts both inpatient and in the office. In my area there is no Acute Care program. I don't actually know an acute care NP.

[Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

Simple answer, yes, both FNPs and ACNPs are capable and regularly see both inpatients and outpatients.

When I first graduated with my FNP I mostly worked in a primary care clinic and also did a lot of rounding in rehab hospitals and one regular hospital.

With my ACNP I have had a job working as a cardiology NP managing the valve/CHF clinic half the day, then rounding on patients in the CVICU the other half of the day.

There's no hard and fast rule about what each specialty is allowed to do in many states, but if you're an ACNP working in a pediatric primary care clinic, you're in the wrong place, and if you're an FNP intubated patients in the ICU, you're also stretching it.

[OllieW, DNP, PhD, NP]

I am an FNP and spend 1/2 my time in clinic and the other half IP. Depends on your state and DON. The Consensus model has been mentioned for years, but the states I work will not see its adoption in my lifetime.