Critical Care vs. Adult NP: Master's Classes/Clinicals & Employer Requirements

Published

Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath/EPS Labs.

Critical Care vs. Adult NP: Master's Classes/Clinicals & Employer Requirements

I'm moving the message to this general discussion to see whether any AllNurses Members have any info. Thanks.

Originally Posted by NYCRN16

SUNY Stonybrook has an online program that is adult health NP with a CNS componant for primary, acute and critical care. I wanted to do acute care NP, but I am now enrolled in a adult health NP program. Keep in mind that in different areas of the country, the job opportunities differ and the positions they hire certain NP's in differ as well.

My reasons for not doing Acute care vs. Adult health (not meant to offend anyone, just my personal reasons)

1)Acute care is a pretty limited degree. You cannot see patients under 18 years old, and in many cases cannot work in primary care. Adult health NP's are able to see patients 13 and older. If you decided you wanted to do a postmasters in family, its much easier to do that with an adult health degree than an acute care one.

2) There are not a lot of jobs for acute care NP's in ICUs due to the large number of hospitals with residencies. Out of state there are a lot more private hospitals without residents, so they utilize ACNP's there more than here.

3) While browsing job postings over the past year or so (even though I am nowhere near graduation), I found that most jobs, including in hospital jobs, do not specify that you need ACNP. They are open to acute care, adult health or family. For some reason, its more acceptable for an adult health NP to work in both outpatient/inhospital, but the acute care NP's are limited to in hospital practices most of the time.

Another thing is, these hospitals care more about the RN experience you had before you got your NP. If you are an ACNP with no ICU or ER experience, you are not going to be considered over an adult health NP who has years of ICU in his/her background.

Of course none of this is set in stone, but this is what I have been seeing over the past few years or so. It seems to me that most marketable degree is the FNP.

Thanks NYCRN16! You provided so much helpful info. I just attended Orientation for SUNY StonyBrook's On-Line Adult Health and asked about the possibility of having my fourth and final NP Clinical (in 2013!) in a Critical Care setting to give me a CC edge to my ANP degree....Now, NY State does certify NP's in Critical Care, but would they permit that for me if my Master's was specifically Adult? How would one get a Post-Master's Certif. in Acute Care--is it just a matter of different clinicals??--in fact, is the only difference between NP Master's the type of CLINICALS, while the classwork (or "on line" work) is all identical? Also, if NYState BONursing accepts the new CCRN NP certification, perhaps I will be able to take the exam with my Adult Master's and gain certification in NYState as an ACUTE NP...so many questions.....Thanks again for your help--I also will PM you And you're absolutely right re: the importance of one's pre-Master's work as a CCRN to provide one an advantage in getting a Critical Care NP job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I got my first Master's in Acute Care, mistakenly thinking that, as a less common degree, it would make me more marketable. WRONG!

I have since taken my Post Master's in Family Medicine, and as soon as I pass boards for that, in Alabama, I can see 'em from the cradle to the grave.

I have found that holding double certs impresses most potential employers, but, had I the chance for a do-over, I'd go Family. You can do everything an ACNP can do, and more. Just makes sense, at least in my state.

Of course, since my state is 75 years behind the times on a good day and is currently in the process of being dragged kicking, clawing, and screaming into the 21st century (NP laws, gambling bill, alcohol sales on Sunday, you know, like the REST of the country already does), I may be the wrong one to ask.

Just my experience.

Best of luck to you, and please let me know if I can offer you any assistance or information, as I still have most of my stuff from school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath/EPS Labs.

Thanks AngelfireRN,

I have read some articles indicating that an Adult Health NP MIGHT be practicing outside her scope of practice if working in the acute/critical care setting (perhaps not the case in Alabama). I think I need to ascertain: WHETHER GRADUATING FROM AN ADULT HEALTH NP MASTER'S WILL QUALIFY ME TO SIT FOR THE ACUTE CARE NP EXAM....I WILL POST THIS AS A SEPARATE QUESTION. THANKS AGAIN!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

To answer, not exactly. You will be well-versed in adult health as a whole, but ACNP, at least in my experience, dealt a whole lot more with critical care aspects, and not just adult health.

Depending on your testing body, I'm not sure they'd allow it. However, about that, I do not know.

Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath/EPS Labs.
To answer, not exactly. You will be well-versed in adult health as a whole, but ACNP, at least in my experience, dealt a whole lot more with critical care aspects, and not just adult health.

Depending on your testing body, I'm not sure they'd allow it. However, about that, I do not know.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I always vote for the widest scope of practice.

I'm an adult health CNS and see pts over the age of 16.

I'm completing a peds CNS to see the rest.

And...I wish I had just done the FNP at first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion