Confused about choosing NP specialty

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Question for NPs or NP students:

I am finding that all the NP programs in my area are FNP programs -- without other specialties specified. It was my understanding that NP students were required to choose a "specialty" at the start of their NP education. So... is "Family Nurse Practitioner" the specialty? Or, is that just the umbrella term for NP school, but then you'll be expected to choose a specialty once you start school? 

So.... let's say I want to work in women's health. Can I enroll in an FNP program and still decide to work in that field after school? Can I (or do I need to) specialize AFTER school? Does an FNP program pigeon-hole you into working only as a PCP in a family clinic? Or is there more flexibility there in terms of what you can do once you get an FNP? 

I appreciate any insight. Thank you in advance and my apologies for the confusing question. ?

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

FNP give you the widest range of choices...except if you want to do psych or acute care

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Many schools offer an FNP program as opposed to other programs like acute care and psych. You will do several different clinical rotations in this program including pediatrics, women's health, and primary...I'm missing one but can't think of what right now. FNP does give you a broad scope of practice. Once you have that degree, you may be able to find other certifications that help you specialize in your general area of interest. 

For example, I am a psych NP and have worked in substance abuse and enjoy it. There is a CARN-AP certification specifically for this field. If I were you would, I would to see what is available in the way of other certifications that you could add to the FNP degree. There are a few programs available that specialize in womens health nurse practitioner. This would pigeon hole you though.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

In choosing a specialty, be clear on whether or not you want to work in a hospital.  

If you want to work in a hospital, then the specialties to choose are Acute Care Adult NP or Acute Care Peds NP.  I think there are some programs to help Acute Care NPs to more easily get credentialed for all ages.  Another option is Nurse Anesthetist.  You WILL NOT GET ACUTE CARE ROTATIONS IN AN FNP program!

If you want to work in the out patient setting, FNP is the most versatile.  Women's Health is more limiting.  I believe there is high demand for CNMs in some areas. 

If you really know you want to do Psych, then PMHNP for out patient or inpatient mental health.

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Specializes in medical/surgical ICU, L&D.

I agree with each statement made above. FNP is the most broad specialty, however, some locations/jobs you might be looking into may want specifically a Women's Health NP vs a FNP. FNP is not acute care as mentioned above, you will not get acute care rotations. 

I have actually applied to a CNM/WHNP dual program. Another thing a FNP cannot do is deliver babies (scope of a CNM only). So really it is whether or not you want to do certain things. If you mainly want to be in the hospital overseeing care of acutely ill/critically ill- then the acute care NP route is best. If you want a more broad population that is outpatient - FNP is best.

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.

The NP specialty populations you can choose is…

 

  1. Family NP
  2. Adult Gero Primary
  3. Adult Gero Acute
  4. Pediatrics Primary
  5. Pediatrics Acute
  6. Neonatal
  7. Women’s Health/Gender-Related
  8. Lifespan Psych-Mental Health

After you complete your program, you can specialize and even subspecialize. I’m an FNP but I’m specializing in palliative care. It’s wonderful!

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