I just got accepted into MSN program for "Adult Acute NP." I am of course VERY excited and I have a couple questions.
I currently work in Critical care (for the past 8 years) and my goal is to work in the hospital setting as an NP. I would be happy either caring for the critical care pt and/or those patients admitted to general med/surg.
With the degree I am seeking, I'm wondering if I would be marketable not only to the hospital setting, but to an office setting or a doctors office (if that is what the potential market holds for my future.)
Should I stay with Adult Acute or switch to Adult Primary?? My only concern is that there may not be a position for me just in the hospital setting. I understand the difference in course work and how the two roles differ.
I just wonder if an NP is like an RN in that an RN can go in so many different directions with their careers.
I will be rounding on patients in the hospital - just not ICU patients. I do not need an ACNP certification to do that.
If I was working in the role of managing acutely ill patients and thats all I was doing, or If I was expected to manage my own ICU patients or patients in say a very rural area where a specialist might be a rarity - then I would want the dual ACNP and FNP cert. Im working in a very urban area however - any given specialist is literally a phone call away for me.
Yes thank you, I guess I was thinking of a specialty in a way where you can see your patients thru the whole continuum, clinic and inhospital, and was wondering if you need to be dual certified. Thanks a lot!
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I have hospital privileges. I see the patients in the clinic (or ED if on call) and admit. If I need to refer to the physician, I will per protocol. I follow them in the hospital, write orders and interpret all dx studies/labs; consult/discharge with orders and follow-up clinic visit.
I, too, am but a phone call away from my medical director or any number of physicians who I can count on. I do not have ACNP. In a very rural area.
I know a large number of FNP's who are employed as ACNP's. There are not that many ACNP programs.
I could see being ACNP for instance if I knew that I only wanted to work as a hospitalist in intensive care or something. Other than that, I think most FNP's have the education and background to learn how to manage inpatients.
Thank you both, Gauge and Siri...You've cleared things up for me...There's a dual program Adult/Geriatric NP that I'm really interested in pursuing with the hopes of seeing patients from clinic to inpatients to nursing homes. Thank you both.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
You are welcome, hrtprncss
Just realize that the track you are considering, you would not be able to see peds/infants/neonates.
I first starte out as OB-GYN NP and realized that track was too narrow, then secured the FNP. So, just consider your options for the future. Just an FYI.
It does look like you have a clear idea of what you want for the future!! Go for it.
On my super speedy PC - that skull shakes back and forth so fast it looks like it is seizing! It's a different story on my laptop - it just looks like he's nodding off there. LOL
University of South Alabama offers a MSN program that allows you to be certified as both an Acute Care NP and FNP. I had questions about this for them and they explained that it was acceptable to the accrediting bodies because the training making each certification distinct was taught in classes devoted exclusively to the FNP or ACNP coursework. The program obviously requires more time and more clinical hours. No one has had difficulty obtaining certifications in both to date.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
I received inpatient training in my program. There are also education offering after your certification in various specialty areas.
In fact both the IOM and more recently a study and article by the AARP push for FNP hospital privledges to be able to follow their patients into the hospital. Primary care is NOT just colds and flu in an office setting. It is also diagnosing many acute issues from appy, diverticulitis, broken/sprained bones, lacerations to pedi pts with bronchiolitis.
I have full staff membership and privledges at the hospital. I admit and follow my own patients.
It is because FNPs are trained for primary care. None of their training is related to caring for patients in the acute care setting. When a family practice doctor recieves their training they do recieve training in caring for patients in the inpatient setting. It is similar for ACNPs. Their training is focused on acutely and chronicly illnesses. ACNPs do not recieve any training in primary care. Therefore they should not work in a primary care setting. If an APN practices in an area that they have not recieved education and training they are placing their patients at risk and themselves at risk for lawsuit as they would be practicing outside their scope of practice. An APN is NOT an APN. We do not recieve generic training. Iam working on my ACNP and their is a clear difference in the training and education. Their is also some talk of limiting theCNS practicing as a NP. Again, the training is very different. a CNS focus is population focused (i.e. DM, cardiac, CHF, ect....). The NP focus is on individual.
gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP
1,622 Posts
I will be rounding on patients in the hospital - just not ICU patients. I do not need an ACNP certification to do that.
If I was working in the role of managing acutely ill patients and thats all I was doing, or If I was expected to manage my own ICU patients or patients in say a very rural area where a specialist might be a rarity - then I would want the dual ACNP and FNP cert. Im working in a very urban area however - any given specialist is literally a phone call away for me.
Does that help?