ANP vs. FNP for cardiology?

[Angie O'Plasty]

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.

[core0]

Family practice doctors are "generalized" practitioners and FNP's aren't. The majority of FNP programs only require 500 clinical hours and they can barely cover primary care issues during those few hours. That's why there is a push for the Doctorate in clinical practice, because then there would be training comparable to family practice doctors.

Frankly, I can't imagine having just gone the FNP route without doing the ANP/GNP first (especially the geriatric specialty). I only had to complete 800 clinical hours for that dual degree and I felt that wasn't enough - that was with over 8 years of nursing experience. When I went back for the FNP, I had to complete an additional 500 clinical hours (it didn't matter that I was already certified as an ANP/GNP) and I used a lot of those hours to precept with an internist who only sees highly complex patients. With the aging of America, there needs to be an intense focus on elderly patients and the FNP programs definitely aren't requiring enough didactic nor clinical hours in that area. Basically, FNP's aren't even getting enough training in PRIMARY CARE.

This is actually becoming an issue for FP. Most FP programs traditionally have spent their intern year doing inpatient medicine. This gives them a good background in inpatient medicine. However, some FP programs are emphasizing outpatient medicine even in the first year. There has been discussion about these FPs working as hospitalists and whether they can be credentialled for inpatient medicine. Some hospitals have discussed not allowing admission privileges unless they have a certain amount of documented inpatient experience. Certain hospitals have already restriced FP from managing ICU patients. For the most part FPs without inpatient experience probably self select and admit to a hospitalist service.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[TX RN]

An excellent discussion here folks. Keep it coming, I'm enjoying this thread. I've got a little over a year left on my ACNP progam, in TX no less, and still get conflicting information :argue: from different sources. This has been the best source of clarification so far.

[dhigbee]

As far as I remember, I had to have a minimum of 720 clinical hours for my FNP program. I don't think this is unusual for FNP programs. I searched online, but was unable to find the number of hours necessary for certification as a FNP.

Dana

Family practice doctors are "generalized" practitioners and FNP's aren't. The majority of FNP programs only require 500 clinical hours and they can barely cover primary care issues during those few hours. That's why there is a push for the Doctorate in clinical practice, because then there would be training comparable to family practice doctors.