ANP vs. FNP for cardiology?

Specialties NP

Updated:   Published

I am looking at possibly becoming an NP, and am very interested in cardiology (You can probably tell from my username!). I have noticed that some schools have subspecialty options (including cardio) in their ANP and ACNP tracks, but not in FNP. However, I always hear how FNP is more flexible. Is it possible to subspecialize within FNP, or would I be better off just doing ANP or ACNP and going to a program with the cardiovascular classes? Also, would ANP or ACNP be better? Any info would be great.

P.S. I am looking at the direct-entry MSN/NP programs for non-RNs, as I have a bachelor's degree in biology.

Specializes in acute care.

Confusing is right--UGH!! Now I REALLY don't know what would be the best way to go, between ANP, ACNP and FNP. And it's even tougher, because I really believe in preventive care etc. (which the more primary care oriented areas are probably stronger in) but also like the "adrenaline rush" situations and the more technical things. Sort of opposites--what would be a good way to combine those? By the way, I'm in Massachusetts, if anyone is familiar with the regs here. Maybe I can find out more when I go to the info session for one of the programs I'm looking at. I can see the point about going for something as broad as possible, and that has its advantages, but I would also like to get really good at what I'll actually be doing. Are there differences in the job market between FNP, ANP and ACNP that I should be aware of?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in IL so I can't help you there, sorry. I guess it may be a good idea to go the general route and then specialize, but you know I just gotta say something about that...Let's see now, do you really know how to do lady partsl exams, fundoscopic exams, or even strep cultures to be a cardiac care NP???

You really learn alot of different things in an FNP program and that is one thing that has turned me off - you see right now I'm in a generalist masters track where we actually take some classes FNPs in training would take. And I could never see myself doing lady partsl exams but that's what we learn.

I'm also interested in doing cardiac care and now that I've been in this program, it's given me more insight into what I really want to do.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

angie,

I did the FNP program thinking I wanted to get out of the hospital but once out of school only seemed to get jobs in acute care, mostly because of my ICU experience as an RN. It has actually served me very well because I do alot of patient teaching, although it is mostly secondary prevention, and am acutely aware of the benefits of working closely with my primary care counterparts. I think either way you go, you will have lots to learn once you finish!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

Anyone else have any thoughts? So far some interesting food for thought, but still major confusion!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It may be a good idea to get in touch with some cardiac NPs in your area in both the hospital and outpatient setting since the roles they play are quite different in both locations.

Another good idea may be to get in touch with some good NP schools that may do a concentration in cardiac nursing. I know some people have said there are no Cardiac Np programs and that's not true. Loyola in Chicago has a cardiac disease management program where future NPs can focus their clinicals in cardiology. Duke University also has a cardiac NP program if I'm not mistaken.

So there are avenues. I think it's a matter of what you want to do in the long run, where you want to work and the type of patients you want to work with. Best thing I think would be to get some cardiac nursing experience and go from there.

Hope that helps.

Anyone else have any thoughts? So far some interesting food for thought but still major confusion![/quote']
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Anyone else have any thoughts? So far some interesting food for thought but still major confusion![/quote']

Angie,

You can go to Alllnursingschools.com and conduct a search through the different programs for NP with an emphasis in cardiology.

University of California-San Francisco.......University of Delaware-Newark has a Cardiopulmonary CNS program........just to name a couple.

The FNP is more marketable in my area......... :balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

Does anyone know anything about the following programs?

UMass Graduate School of Nursing (can do cardiovascular subspecialty in ACNP or ANP)--this is probably my first choice since I already live in Worcester

Vanderbilt (also has cardio subspecialty in ACNP/ANP)

Yale (has cardio CNS, but might be possible to combine this with ANP or ACNP)

Also, I would like to find out from some ACNP's (in cardiology especially) what they typically do. Do you still get to do a good amount of patient education? I like the idea of doing acute care and feel that this route would be best for getting me really good at what I'd be doing, and as I said I like the adrenaline and all that, but I also want to be able to spend time teaching pts about prevention, healthy lifestyle etc. And I'm also curious to find out whether they are generally respected by the other nurses and the doctors, or if they're looked down upon as "wannabes" by the physicians (although it seems that this happens more to the NP's who want to do independent primary care etc.). Any info would be much appreciated--I'd like to "get to the heart of the matter". :) (Sorry, horrible pun, but I couldn't resist!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Does anyone know anything about the following programs?

UMass Graduate School of Nursing (can do cardiovascular subspecialty in ACNP or ANP)--this is probably my first choice since I already live in Worcester

Vanderbilt (also has cardio subspecialty in ACNP/ANP)

Yale (has cardio CNS, but might be possible to combine this with ANP or ACNP)

Also, I would like to find out from some ACNP's (in cardiology especially) what they typically do. Do you still get to do a good amount of patient education? I like the idea of doing acute care and feel that this route would be best for getting me really good at what I'd be doing, and as I said I like the adrenaline and all that, but I also want to be able to spend time teaching pts about prevention, healthy lifestyle etc. And I'm also curious to find out whether they are generally respected by the other nurses and the doctors, or if they're looked down upon as "wannabes" by the physicians (although it seems that this happens more to the NP's who want to do independent primary care etc.). Any info would be much appreciated--I'd like to "get to the heart of the matter". :) (Sorry, horrible pun, but I couldn't resist!)

I know the program at is excellent.

You will find that the NP is accepted or not.......depends on the area/state involved.

Cute pun, Angie!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

I forgot to ask...does anyone know anything about the Mass General IHP graduate nursing program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for the info. That does make sense and I did have some concerns about FNP being pretty general but thought it could be made up for with the choice of clinicals/electives. I think a lot of the FNP's I heard about were in outpatient cardiology offices rather than the hospital--are they outside their scope of practice there, or is that OK? And are ANP's OK working in the hospital, or is it the same problem as FNP? It seems at least that ANP would be somewhat less general. I've seen at a lot of places that NP's run things like CHF clinics, but I'm not sure what type of NP usually does that, maybe someone could enlighten me. Also out of curiosity, what do the cardiac ACNP's do at your hospital? OK, enough of my questions!![/quote']

70% of the role would be - the NP would

Obtain a complete health, family, psychosocial, situational and maturational history and record findings in the medical record. Perform a complete physical examination with specific emphasis on acute and episodic health problems. Interpret laboratory tests. Rotate on-call responsibilities with other colleagues.

Develop and implement plans for the management of acute and episodic problems including: health promotion, psychological counseling, health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment modalities consistent with practice protocols. Provide periodic health assessment and physical examinations on clients. Provide clinical management of clients with acute and episodic health problems. Provide assessment, education, and management for family. Provide acute and episodic care for a caseload of clients. Evaluate client outcomes and complex client situations to identify new or altered problems and modify plan of care using most up-to-date interventions. Assist clients to develop maximal self care abilities. Arrange referrals to other members of the health care team as needed and to community resources as appropriate. Deliver care to clients at ambulatory clinics and/or community sites as dictated by the needs of the practice.

30% of the role would be - the NP would

Act as a role model to nursing and medical staff in providing quality client patient care. Demonstrate the role of the advanced practice nurse as a member of the health care team. To accomplish this goal, the Advanced Practice Nurse will provide carry a caseload, collaborate with physician and nursing staff as needed, serve on committees relating to adult medical/surgical care and participate in appropriate medical center and community activities. Act as consultant to other health team members or problems related to his/her area of specialty. Participate in self-evaluation and peer review through such mechanisms as chart review, case review, and collection of practice statistics. Participate in the Hospital Quality Improvement Plan and utilize the information to enhance the quality care. Serve as an educator for personnel, clients, families and communities. The Advanced Practice Nurse plans and implements educational materials and programs and collaborates with other care Very interesting stuff - PM me if you need any other information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go for the FNP, I am very glad I did. All avenues are open to you and you are best utilized to the fullest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like yourself Angio, I am trying to decide whether to go FNP or ACNP. I would like to work in ER or OR. Currently, I am certified WHNP. I did do a search for jobs to see what they may require. It was split 50/50. It seems like the ACNP requirement is just catching on in some areas. Some are still asking for FNPs with acute care experience. Some ask for ACNPs with experience in the specialty area as a RN. I agree it is very confusing. I think I will enjoy the ACNP program. However, I don't want to limit myself once again. We move every 3-4yrs and it is so hard to determine the regs in each state. :bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment