advice for FNP maybe go for peds CNS?

Specialties CNS

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Hi there, I have been trying to decide what to do with my future career track for a little while now. Currently I am a FNP, probably will go back for DNP eventually. Right now I am trying to be more marketable in the pediatric setting. I have lots of peds experience and am actually accepted in a post master's ACPNP program. However, I have been thinking that maybe I should go the peds CNS route? What I really want is more knowledge/expertise in peds so I can eventually teach. I honestly am not sure I really want another NP certification. My hope is to go back to pediatrics (I work ED now) in a specialty--preferably heme/onc or cardiology. This may take a while since I have a real time limitation with a family of 5 small children. But I thought if I try to use the power of "distance learning" as much as possible to expand my knowledge I will be more marketable as time goes on in my preferred field. Anyone with some thoughts? Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm taking the peds CNS test in March (I'm already an adult health CNS) - personally I wouldn't waste your time on another post-MSN certificate - I would go more for some focused conferences.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

I'm not sure I understand the need for a post-masters certificate when you are an FNP. This allows you to work with kids anyway, and your experience should make you marketable without adding more tuition and costs. For me, more knowledge and expertise comes with time working in a particular field and CMEs / conferences, etc. If you're thinking of teaching, you might should be looking more the PhD route rather than a degree on the same level as what you already have. That's more of a lateral move to me rather than an advancement up the ladder like a PhD would be.

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Thanks guys. This really is what I am looking for, straight forward, honest opinions. I really should look to seriously work towards DNP or PhD. I just wish the DNP had a residency to make it more clinically focused on a specialty. The programs available here all involve scholarly projects(research). Nothing against research, just looking for a more clinical based program.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

I agree, there should be more residency programs available for NPs who want to specialize. PAs have more options in that regard than we do (hubby's in a PA program, so we've looked into this), but even they don't have much if they want to specialize. Some of the NP associations offer "specialty" conferences occasionally. IE - I think it was AANP or ACNP that was offering conferences geared towards Cardiology / Ortho / another specialty NPs. It seems like NPs who specialize either get on the job training or go to conferences rather than a formal fellowship.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yes. I found that to be true. I go to physician-based conferences for dialysis and nephrology

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