Can FNP's subspecialize?

BarbaraNP · Oct 19, 2007

Yes, an FNP can specialize.

However, you'd need to see the requirements of the certifying body if you want to be a certified PNP. I don't know that an FNP would be enough. I also don't know of any FNP program that will let you focus your clinicals just on peds. The point of an FNP program prepare you for all age groups.

I did two programs, first a GNP (certificate) and then later an FNP (masters). I took the FNP route so that all options were open for me. I'm not a pediatrics person...never have been. I currently limited my practice to ages 10 and up and will probably move it to 13 and up.

BarbaraNP

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 19, 2007

As a FNP, I've worked in a pediatrics practice. The other NPs in the same practice were also FNPs. So yes, you can do that, and I have not seen pediatricians hesitate to hire FNPs.

You cannot do only pediatric clinical in a FNP program. You have to do all age groups. You might, depending on the program, get to do more pedi than adult, but you have to do adult, geri, women's health, and so forth in every FNP program I am aware of.

I don't think you can become certified as a PNP with FNP education.

The FNP gives you more options, overall, so I'd give it serious consideration. That would give you room to do things like work in a family practice where you might see most of the pediatric patients but you can still see others as needed.

I don't think the FNP will hinder you from working iin peds, but if you are a NNP or PNP you are pretty limited to those patient populations only without more education.

dilleweed · Oct 19, 2007

Thanks, both of you! I'll be keeping your thoughts in mind as I go through my BSN and decide which NP I'd like to pursue.

jer_sd · Oct 19, 2007

There are limited residency programs for most NP areas. For PNP they have primary care and acute care certifications. You must complete an approved PNP program to sit for the examiantion (so FNP won't work). There are a handful of post NP certifications available that allow NPs to specilize (ortho, urology, hospice, onc, dialysis).

Hope this helps,

Jeremy

dilleweed · Oct 19, 2007

Yes, that helps too! Thanks!

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 21, 2007

I think that the greatest thing about the FNP program is that it opens the door: I have seen FNPs work in ER where the help out both little kids and older adults. I have seen FNPs work in a outpatient clinical setting in endo, derm, peds and with a card.

wayunderpaid · Oct 25, 2007

I am looking ahead a few years to when I might get into a DNP program to become a NP. Right now in my area my options (at least the only ones I'm interested in) are FNP and NNP. I'm torn between working in a hospital NICU and a pediatric private practice. Can the latter be done as a FNP? Can you do all your clinical experience in a pediatric office? Can a FNP-trained NP become certified as a PNP by passing certification? Or are there distance PNP programs whereby I would only need to be on campus a small amount of time? I'm not crazy about distance learning, but I would want the specialty that would give me my desired career.
[banana]Liz[/banana]

Short answer is you cannot sit for the PNP/NNP boards with an FNP

Long answer, if you will have absolutely no interest in Adult populations (21+), you should definitely do a PNP, but if you want to keep your options open, FNP is the way to go.

My wife is an FNP working in the ER (believe it or not, a great % of ER is primary care for the uninsured and medicaid)

The school where I got my BSN allows people to get their post-masters certificates in multiple specialties by completing the clinical portion and/or relevant courses of those specialties, but they are hardly online. Some of the specialties would have very few courses to complete (FNP-PNP; PNP-NNP) and some specialties may have extensive differences (PsychNP-CCNP, etc.). I am only speaking of one school though, can't say about others...(can you imagine trying to teach physical assessment of the neonate via distance education, with no hands-on-hands demonstration?). Clinical hours must be done at a practice too, so no chance of distance education there. Even online NP programs require that you secure a local clinical site.

Most schools will at least recognize the "core" theory courses. You may have to explain to an admissions committee why you want a different specialty, though if you are a good student and the admissions process is not competitive, they might not care.

A lot of FNP specialize by virtue of their practice. Many work in specialty practices doing assessments, histories and follow ups, many will become knowledgeable in the specialty groups where they practice. Some take extra certifications which allow them to do derma-abrasions (brings extra $$), some work with dermatologists doing botox and whatnot. That is, if you are interested in money. Most are not, just very altruistic nurses working for the betterment of the world....

Good luck!

Wayunderpaid

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 25, 2007

Short answer is you cannot sit for the PNP/NNP boards with an FNP
Long answer, if you will have absolutely no interest in Adult populations (21+), you should definitely do a PNP, but if you want to keep your options open, FNP is the way to go.
My wife is an FNP working in the ER (believe it or not, a great % of ER is primary care for the uninsured and medicaid)
The school where I got my BSN allows people to get their post-masters certificates in multiple specialties by completing the clinical portion and/or relevant courses of those specialties, but they are hardly online. Some of the specialties would have very few courses to complete (FNP-PNP; PNP-NNP) and some specialties may have extensive differences (PsychNP-CCNP, etc.). I am only speaking of one school though, can't say about others...(can you imagine trying to teach physical assessment of the neonate via distance education, with no hands-on-hands demonstration?). Clinical hours must be done at a practice too, so no chance of distance education there. Even online NP programs require that you secure a local clinical site.
Most schools will at least recognize the "core" theory courses. You may have to explain to an admissions committee why you want a different specialty, though if you are a good student and the admissions process is not competitive, they might not care.
A lot of FNP specialize by virtue of their practice. Many work in specialty practices doing assessments, histories and follow ups, many will become knowledgeable in the specialty groups where they practice. Some take extra certifications which allow them to do derma-abrasions (brings extra $$), some work with dermatologists doing botox and whatnot. That is, if you are interested in money. Most are not, just very altruistic nurses working for the betterment of the world....
Good luck!
Wayunderpaid

I am in a FNP program right now, we had class, clinicals and online homework we had to post online. You are crazy to take you assesment class online...

wayunderpaid · Oct 25, 2007

I am in a FNP program right now, we had class, clinicals and online homework we had to post online. You are crazy to take you assesment class online...

Right, I agree with you, it would not be smart. That is what I was trying to tell the OP since she suggested completing another specialty via distance...