Changing an NP specialty?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.

I am currently enrolled in a program to become an adult health nurse practioner. I have recently been thinking that my choice of this program could be somewhat limiting in the future.

What are my options, post-graduation, should I decide that I would be better off as an FNP?

What questions do I need to ask in order to discover a route to become an FNP, if I decide to do that?

Thanks!

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Specializes in FNP.

You should ask whomever chairs the FNP department at your school if switching tract is a possibility. Otherwise, you can do a post-master's certificate once you finish the ANP.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.

Switching tracks is not a possibility at my current school since adult health is the only track they offer. A post-master's certificate would be a good solution I think.

Thanks for the reply.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Just be careful to go back for the post-MSN quickly. Usually schools will only accept your MSN for 5 years and that's it.

I got my MSN in 2005, then went back for an adult health CNS and graduated in 2006.

Then, I realized (like you) that it might one day limit my choices so I'm now finishing a peds CNS and will be done in July.

However, if I hadn't done the peds CNS this year I would have had to repeat a lot!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.

Thanks! That sounds like great advice. :)

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