How exactly are they different? Can't seem to find the answer online. Are Adult NPs eligible for certification as Acute Care NP? Which NP is allowed to specialize (ie cardiology, nephro, etc)?
Trauma Columnist traumaRUs, MSN, APRN 153 Articles; 21,232 Posts Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience. Oct 7, 2010 Adult NPs take the adult NP exam, ACNPs take the ACNP exam - they are two different exams and they aren't interchangeable. Both types of NPs can specialize.
zahryia, LPN 537 Posts Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health. Oct 7, 2010 My understanding is that ACNPs would not be able to do primary care.
Trauma Columnist traumaRUs, MSN, APRN 153 Articles; 21,232 Posts Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience. Oct 8, 2010 That is dependent on your states BON. I live in IL and ACNPs can do primary care.
nursetim, NP 493 Posts Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice. Has 21 years experience. Oct 17, 2010 I am an ANP. I can work as an ACNP if the institution is inclined to take me on in that role without certification. When I was getting ready to graduate ANP I was talking to Duke about working in their ICU. I did not follow through though. But they were willing to train me for the position.
SFNP127 16 Posts Specializes in ACNP-BC, CCRN-CMC (critical care). Has 6 years experience. Nov 1, 2010 ANP and ACNP are not interchangeable in the educational or certification senses. As someone above mentioned, different educational programs, different exams. My understanding is that technically speaking, ACNPs "shouldn't" be doing primary care, nor should ANPs be doing acute care. As an ACNP you are not trained as a primary care provider, and vice versa (or so I understand of ANP programs; my institution titles its ANP clinicals 'Primary Care Residency'). However, as others have mentioned there will be positions that either 'require' or 'prefer' one type of NP or the other who will train the opposite type for their position. I asked this question of the program director of an ACNP program with regard to ACNP vs FNP, ACNP vs ANP, etc. and his answer was simple... one word - liability. Just another angle to consider.
nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP 730 Posts Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine. Has 44 years experience. Nov 19, 2010 ACNP vs FNP.The initials do not mean much. If you can show you have the education and/or training you can do it.Why can't a ACNP not do primary care? Of course they can. The same with an FNP doing acute care or ER, they can and do.
