Choosing a specialty

[rn409, BSN, RN]

Hi guys, I’ve been looking into different NP specialties and have had such a hard time making sure I’m on the right track for me.

I have been working in a CCU for almost 6 years, and do love the acute care setting as a RN. However, I think what would truly make me happy is working at a speciality clinic and seeing those patients inpatient as well. I do feel like AGACNP fits the bill, but with where I live FNP is more readily available (although to be honest- I do not want to work with children.) Also, I live in a rural area (no trauma ICUs).

Would AGPCNP or FNP also work for that kind of job position?

Which one is more versatile?

[Matthew RN, MSN]

Something else to look at in your case is acute vs. primary. It sounds like you want to be able to do acute care, make sure your program allows for that.

FNP is very versatile and is more easily recognizable. Many FNPs specialize and work in areas where they never take care of kids. For example our neurosurgeon has an FNP/FA that helps with surgeries. In a rural area your specialty clinics are probably seeing some amount of kids even if the physicians are adult docs, so you probably want to be able to take care of some kids. For example our adult neuro, GI, urology etc each will see some amount of kids because the pediatric specialists are so far away.

[rn409, BSN, RN]

4 hours ago, Matthew RN said:

Something else to look at in your case is acute vs. primary. It sounds like you want to be able to do acute care, make sure your program allows for that.

FNP is very versatile and is more easily recognizable. Many FNPs specialize and work in areas where they never take care of kids. For example our neurosurgeon has an FNP/FA that helps with surgeries. In a rural area your specialty clinics are probably seeing some amount of kids even if the physicians are adult docs, so you probably want to be able to take care of some kids. For example our adult neuro, GI, urology etc each will see some amount of kids because the pediatric specialists are so far away.

That's very helpful, thank you for the feedback!