ANP vs. ACNP

[Lindz28]

Hello,

I am applying for NP programs for next fall & having a hard time deciding between adult nurse practitioner and acute care nurse practitioner. I have two years ICU experience. I would like to do both outpatient primary (some type of specialty) and inpatient- whether it be ER, ICU, gen med/surg etc. Would it be more beneficial to do the acute care? Or would it be better to do a general adult NP program then get a post-master's in acute care? Thanks for your help!!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Both focus on adult care - what type of NP is being hired in the area where you want to practice?

Personally, for the ER, ACNP and then a peds NP or peds acute care NP is the way to go IMHO.

[core0]

Hello,

I am applying for NP programs for next fall & having a hard time deciding between adult nurse practitioner and acute care nurse practitioner. I have two years ICU experience. I would like to do both outpatient primary (some type of specialty) and inpatient- whether it be ER, ICU, gen med/surg etc. Would it be more beneficial to do the acute care? Or would it be better to do a general adult NP program then get a post-master's in acute care? Thanks for your help!!!

Both will allow you see inpatient and outpatient specialty patients. Depending on the area ANP may preclude you from working in critical care areas (and lack of peds in both may limit ER work). ANP has the advantage of allowing you to work in outpatient primary care and marries better with geriatric (in my opinion) if you want to go that way. It probably pays to look at the local market and see where these two different specialties work.

David Carpenter, PA-C