Clinical Hour Requirement

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

I was just wondering, since I have heard this is becoming more of a concern for graduates of FNP programs....are there specific hourly requirements for each "specialty" component of the FNP program such as peds and women's health/OB? I know in order to sit for the ANCC FNP exam it requires 500 clinical hours total, but it doesn't specify how many hours for each specialty (peds, women's health, adult, etc.).

My program is currently trying to revamp their clinical hours and I was wondering if there is a set specific amount of minimum hours that is set in stone for each specialty which I can refer to since I am on the curriculum committee.

Thank you so much for any assistance or insight into this - I greatly appreciate it!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I need 700 hours for my NNP, and they are all in level II-III NICUs and neonatal followup clinics, so I can't help you there!

[MissDoodaw]

My program is 600, 680 total clinical hours -something like that. We have a minimum of 56 in peds and 56 in womens health. Of course, you end up seeing more in your family settings, but those hours are the minimum my school requires as the clinical component of the peds /womens health courses. Maybe check with the accrediting bodies -AACN, AANP and see what their educational requirements are since most schools structure their programs to meet these requirements.

Good Luck!

[BChapp3182]

If I remember correctly, required hours are set by each state in order to qualify for a license in your specialty. My program and state requires 600 hours. We did 120 hours in each specialty (peds, geri, adult, ob, practicum) for family np.

[dansingrn]

I know in order to sit for the ANCC FNP exam it requires 500 clinical hours total, but it doesn't specify how many hours for each specialty (peds, women's health, adult, etc.).

It seems strange that the FNP requirement is 500 hours for the entire lifespan. Can that be correct? My PNP program was 700 hours for birth to 18 (including an OB/sexual health rotation for adolescents). Seems as if the FNP would be at least that many?

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

It seems strange that the FNP requirement is 500 hours for the entire lifespan. Can that be correct? My PNP program was 700 hours for birth to 18 (including an OB/sexual health rotation for adolescents). Seems as if the FNP would be at least that many?

Oh, I totally agree! I was quite surprised to find that number on ANCC's Web site, especially since my program (and several other programs I have looked in to) thankfully require more. I don't think I have come across one FNP program that I have looked into that only required 500 clinical hours.

Thanks for your replies, all. :)

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

Actually, I just went back and checked their site again, because I was curious to see what the minimum clinical hour requirements were for the adult and pediatric NP exams - they, also, both require a minimum of 500 hours in order to sit for the exam.

[Sheri FNP-C]

The local university only requires 500 clinical hours without much regard to how the hours are divided among peds/ob/family. I chose a distance learning program that required 200 peds, 200 OB/GYN, 480 internal med/family practice with much encouragement to complete more than the minimum. I finished about 1,000 hours in my program. I know some people don't respect distance learning programs, but I am thrilled with the education I got versus that some of my coworkers received locally.

Anyway, I would recommend completing as many clinical hours as you can regardless of the school/certifying agency requirements.

[Bidwillty]

My program requires 90 hours for womens, 90 hours for peds, 90 hrs for acute, 90hours for chronic and then we are required to do a 280 hr preceptorship in family practice. Hope this helps.

[laceface]

how do you find out how many clinical hrs another state requires? is it better just to work in the state you graduate from for a year and then move?