ANP to ACNP?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 10, 2009

I would think an ACNP program would be difficult without some hospital experience. Is she able to move?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Nov 10, 2009

I agree with traumaRUs. If your friend is interested in becoming an ACNP to work specifically in critical care, the ACNP part is only half of the entire piece of becoming qualified to work in the critical care setting. It is almost impossible for an employer to consider a candidate for a critical care care NP position without some critical care nursing experience. It is also worth mentioning that as a critical care NP, one will work closely with critical care RN's who are typically knowledgeable of hemodynamics, high-tech monitoring devices, and life-saving equipment as well as a host of other professionals such as critical care Respiratory Therapists and Pharmacists. The NP might not be effective in maintaining credibility in this setting without the background as a critical care RN.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Nov 10, 2009

BTW, the question was how long it is going to take for a post-Master's ACNP after ANP. Programs vary. I know of some that combine both ANP and ACNP in one program (U South Ala). However, the 2nd year for traditional programs in both ANP and ACNP are entirely different in focus with different settings for clinical rotations. I would say an additional year would be typical if the program did not combine ACNP and ANP.

BmoreCRNP · Nov 13, 2009

I'm with the above posters. I had just a few interviews after school before finally landing my first NP job. Most of those interviewers wanted to know what kind of RN experience I had. Even though I have a good amount of RN experience, most of it was in the PACU. Unfortunately that was a bit of a roadblock for me when looking for certain jobs. I was initially interested in the urgent care setting. Almost ALL of the urgent care centers wanted a new NP to have ER experience.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 13, 2009

I got my first APN job based on my 10 years level one trauma center and 2 years ICU experience and the job is nephrology! They liked the idea I could handle emergencies.

TreehuggerRN · Nov 13, 2009

It's sounding like even primary care offices want their NPs to have prior acute care experience. I guess long-term care experience is not considered valuable.

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2009

BTW, the question was how long it is going to take for a post-Master's ACNP after ANP. Programs vary. I know of some that combine both ANP and ACNP in one program (U South Ala). However, the 2nd year for traditional programs in both ANP and ACNP are entirely different in focus with different settings for clinical rotations. I would say an additional year would be typical if the program did not combine ACNP and ANP.

Not to get too far off subject, but are you talking about the "Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (GNP/APNP) Curriculum" at U of South AL?

Does this allow you to actually take both the ANP and ACNP certification exams?

And finally, is the ANP (or GNP? in this case) a more primary care role, and would having this dual certification make you more marketable in both acute and primary care settings? OR would you primarily be looking at hospitalist-NP type roles?

Thanks!

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Nov 14, 2009

Not to get too far off subject, but are you talking about the "Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (GNP/APNP) Curriculum" at U of South AL?
Does this allow you to actually take both the ANP and ACNP certification exams?
And finally, is the ANP (or GNP? in this case) a more primary care role, and would having this dual certification make you more marketable in both acute and primary care settings? OR would you primarily be looking at hospitalist-NP type roles?
Thanks!

Not sure about what the program is actually called but I have a colleague who was hired on the previous ICU service I used to work with who graduated from the program at USA. He is certified as an ACNP but told us that their program also allows them to take the ANP exam. Their clinical rotations cover primary care and acute care both. I'm not a graduate of USA so best bet is to contact the school for details.

TreehuggerRN · Nov 14, 2009

The person I'm speaking of has been accepted into the U of South Alabama as an Adult/Gero (primary care) NP student for 2010. She applied for ACNP but they offered here the ANP and said she did not qualify for ACNP. So, she is taking what she can get even though she thinks she will probably have to move to get a job.