Best Schools for NP Programs?

Published

I'm intested in becoming either a neonatal np or a surgical np.... what are the best schools for these two programs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm intested in becoming either a neonatal np or a surgical np.... what are the best schools for these two programs?

There are no surgical NP programs. There is one ACNP program that is combined with an ACNP program. This is discussed here:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/acnp-vs-pa-surgery-315743.html

I'll let others chime in on the "best" NNP programs. To be an NNP requires two years of experience in a level III NICU. To say these are substantially different specialties is an understatement.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

What David said. If you think you might want to be a NNP, you'll need 2 years of Level III NICU experience to graduate, let alone be a competent NNP. Maybe by Surgical NP you mean RNFA?

IMHO, you need to figure out what kind of NURSE you want to be first. Once you are a competent, well-adjusted RN, then worry about which school to go to for your NP.

Inexperienced RN+ MSN =Terrible NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes, i am aware these are two totally different fields, but i am interested in both... secondly, there is a group of nps specialized in neurosurgery at a local hospital in my area (i know they assist the doctors in surgery, as well)... what would they have gone to school for? i am also aware that i need 2 years experience before i go to nnp school, i wanted to know the best schools for this program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
yes, i am aware these are two totally different fields, but i am interested in both... secondly, there is a group of nps specialized in neurosurgery at a local hospital in my area (i know they assist the doctors in surgery, as well)... what would they have gone to school for? i am also aware that i need 2 years experience before i go to nnp school, i wanted to know the best schools for this program.

The issue is that the specialty for surgery is the RNFA. However, RNFAs only work in the OR. They do not have any prerogatives outside the OR (outside of what they have as an RN). The NP that is most associated with surgical settings is the Acute Care Nurse Practitiioner. However, they don't traditionally receive any training in surgery. So there really is no NP that is trained for surgery specifically.

The answer to your question is a little more complex. Currently there are two pathways to do what the NPs mentioned are doing. You can get a job as an OR nurse, get your CNOR and then your RNFA. Once you have done this you could then attend NP school. The other method is to go to the one dual cert course at UAB:

http://www.uab.edu/images/sonimg/academic/msn/Acute_Care_Adult_NP_RNFA_12.07.pdf

The real answer is even more complex. In the past surgeons were allowed to take NPs into the OR and train them to surgically assist. With current credentialling rules this is increasingly unlikely. One other option is to take a short course like the NIFA RNFA course. It depends if the hospital wants an actual RNFA cert which requires 2000 hours of practice or just wants some sort of documentation.

This issue was covered here to some extent:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/acnp-vs-pa-surgery-315743.html

The final complication to this is that many surgical specialties also see pediatric patients. The ACNP will not allow you to see patients under a certain age (age varies depending on your state). Many of the older NPs predate the ACNP and are usually either FNPs or ANPs. Depending on your state this may or many not be an option.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Informatics.

The CCI website states how one can be trained to be a Certified RNFA (CRNFA):

http://www.cc-institute.org/cert_crnf.aspx

Recently, I spoken to a well known Perioperative nurse instructor and author. She trains NPs to be RNFAs. She recommends to obtain a Master's degree in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and completing an RNFA training course.

The following are additional information on ACNP/NPs as first assists (including information on training):

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_6_87/ai_n27498041 (appeared in AORN Journal - June 2008 issue)

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/500552

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
yes, i am aware these are two totally different fields, but i am interested in both... secondly, there is a group of nps specialized in neurosurgery at a local hospital in my area (i know they assist the doctors in surgery, as well)... what would they have gone to school for? i am also aware that i need 2 years experience before i go to nnp school, i wanted to know the best schools for this program.

I work in a Neuro ICU. The current NP and the new NP they just hired both are First Assist in the OR. When I asked the first NP (she's ACNP if that matters any) how she got into it, she simply said she learned First Assist on the job. It was part of the job that the Neurosurgeons wanted from their NPs. No prior experience or special education required.

Don't know if that helps you any...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

i think that in some areas, RN First Assist is becoming an APN role... sort of like a CNS position?

at least, when I looked at it in a few years ago

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i think that in some areas, RN First Assist is becoming an APN role... sort of like a CNS position?

at least, when I looked at it in a few years ago

Unlikely. Currently AORN does not require a Masters. Actually they don't require a BSN, just a Bachelors in any field. As far as I know all of the current APN roles require a Masters. Also if you look at the curriculum there are several portions missing including pharmacology and patient assessment.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

I'm in the ACNP/RNFA program at UAB currently. You may do your surgical rotations in any surgical specialty that you wish, from General to Neuro. If you know you wish to do a specific subspecialty this may be the way to go for you. I'lll probably pick General Surgery and Trauma Surgery to get what I think is a well rounded surgical experience. You can also do specialized classes a Minor if you will in Cardiac, Neuro, diabetes, Trauma, etc. :) Hope that helps. Its a good program so far.

I know UAB has a pretty good NNP program. With a pretty intense NICU nearby at UAB University Hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

I'm at UAB in the ACNP/RNFA program. I like it so far. You have three surgical rotations or you can do them all as one large one. You can do them in any surgical specialty you wish. As well as your ACNP rotations you may do them in any specialty as well.

They also have a NNP program, you can do your clinicals at UAB Hospital which has a pretty intense NICU. But not being int he program i coudln'tt tell you how it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Atl_John,

Do you know if its possible to do any type of shadowing deal if you're interested in eventually going through UAB's ACNP/RNFA program? I've got a long ways to go before I'd get to that point but I wopuldn't mind seeing you folks close up. Many thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion