ANPs & FNP's what do you think of this?

VivaRN · Mar 6, 2009

In my area FNP's are hired for primary care over any other specialty. Even if an FP office doesn't see a ton of kids, there are still some kids, so an FNP is most desirable. FNP's have the most flexibility in the outpatient setting - for example can also do specialties and internal medicine, also the domain of ANP. I can't speak to acute care.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Mar 6, 2009

I would think that it would be prudent to go the ACNP route for hospital/acute care setting, rather than switch to ANP. ANPs are educated mainly in primary care for outpatients, not acute care as would be more desirable in the hospital setting.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Mar 6, 2009

Just wanted to add that at my school at least, the only difference between the ANP courses and the FNP courses are that the FNPs have to take a peds course and a women's health course that includes care during pregnancy. Other than that, the tracks are the same.

mwboswell · Mar 7, 2009

While the "track" may be the same, the difference will be during the individual precepting courses. Acute Care should be doing more time with IM folks and Hospitalists or critical care settings. FNP should be spending more time in FP office setting.

JDCitizen · Mar 7, 2009

Also keep in mind state laws, hospital policies........

I would suggest FNP route than if necessary do a post masters.

Depending on the school you may able to get clinicals in addition for acute care training. Maybe enough to go for certification???

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Mar 7, 2009

Stay in the FNP track. You are far more marketable to most clinical areas. I'm an ANP, as as Softball states, there's not much difference between the two, 'cept PEDs and WH. Even in primary care, your supervising MD will turf you all the WH and probably the major PEDs portion. Who knows, a lot is up to where/who you work for.

As far as ACNP goes, I wouldn't bet my next check between preferential hiring between an ACNP/ANP/FNP. I work in a major university/VA medical center. I cannot see any hiring trends between the three. The only characteristic I've noticed, and this is anecdotal, is difficulty getting admitted into our FNP track.

Very best of luck!

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Mar 7, 2009

While the "track" may be the same, the difference will be during the individual precepting courses. Acute Care should be doing more time with IM folks and Hospitalists or critical care settings. FNP should be spending more time in FP office setting.

I don't know if you misread my post above, but I was talking about ANPs (adult nurse practitioners), not ACNPs (acute care nurse practitioners). Just wanted to clarify.

ANPs are more primary care focused like FNPs as opposed to ACNPs.

JDCitizen · Mar 7, 2009

Hmmm I understand the adult NP part, let me rephrase. The range of coverage for FNPs is larger than APs: I am talking more than peds...

What state laws and/or hospital rules may limit the ANP to 13 years minimum or 16 year age minimum... I was seeing teenagers in most every clinical situation I had / have.

So unless the job you’re looking at is a practice situation that can guarantee that the folks you will be seeing are over 18 (or whatever age) you possibly are limiting yourself....

So again I recommend FNP than acute care training (unless your program allows both at the same time)...

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Mar 7, 2009

...and a lot depends upon your practice group. As an ANP, you can still see teenagers, look at your state practice laws, supervising MD guidelines. In my clinicals, we saw youngsters, even 11 year olds, for simple ear infections, cough, pharyngitis, UTI, etc. Now, let me caveat this with, my preceptor would call her supervising MD and ask if HE wanted to see the kids prior to an Abx Rx. He never did, trusting the clinical skills of my preceptor. I'd still stay in the FNP track (unless you plan NEVER to see a kid, e.g. VA).