DNP-ACNP looking for FNP Cert

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I completed a DNP with an emphasis in acute care 2 years ago. I have been practicing as a Nurse practitioner for the past 2 years in a number of settings. Although, I asked, my program director did not fill me in on the problems I may encounter in this newer specialty versus the family practice specialty. One, the state medicaid program where i reside does not reimburse ACNP's. Second, with training geared for adults, treating children under the age of 14 is outside of my scope of practice. Additionally, so is seeing any OB patients. With the job market flooded with nurse practitioner's I have taken jobs I have never thought I would be doing as a ACNP. Although, I enjoy my practice I find myself constantly against barriers and limitations to practice, either from the state, or from my lack of training.

At any rate, I have wanted to eliminate these barriers by getting a certificate for FNP. Herein lies my next problem. The school I attended is not, and has not accepted any students seeking FNP certificate for years. They are capitalizing on the push for DNP trained NP's. Which, is what I found to be a nationwide problem. All the certificate FNP programs have converted to MSN to DNP with a certificate in FNP. Since I already have a DNP, I have been told by every school I have inquired to, that I am not eligible for their program. They want the students willing to get the DNP and the certificate, which takes several more semesters of tuition than what I actually need.

If anyone is still with me at this point, is anyone here aware of a program for a FNP certificate that will accept my DNP degree, and just allow me to complete the required courses to complete an FNP certificate?

Look forward to your insights. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

Wow! Your situation is unbelievable. I'm sorry I don't have a suggestion for you, but I just had to comment. I find this so unfair. What if you wanted to get another degree, say CNM? Same issue?

Did you check any of the online schools that still offer an MSN level FNP?

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Specializes in nursing education.

In which state are you located?

I am familiar with our state university that has a post-MSN FNP certificate (three FNP theory courses and three FNP practica required for those who already have the 3 P's and MSN). It doesn't say anything about already having a DNP. I cannot imagine that having a DNP precludes you from such a program (under what rationale?).

http://www.graduateschool.uwm.edu/students/prospective/areas-of-study/certificates/family-nurse-practitioner/

UW-Milwaukee has gone to DNP, no longer offering the MSN, but this appears to be a separate certificate.

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Located in Utah.

As mentioned, the local University's are not accepting applications for the past several years for FNP certificate. Also, every program I have inquired to out of state, online etc. do not have a FNP certificate, and only offer a MSN to DNP FNP track. I did not mention that, I did in fact find one program offering the FNP certificate. However, this school does not take students from my state. (They don't have the clinical program setup). So, I suppose I should not have said all.

The schools I did find that offered the FNP certificate, and that were available to me, only offered it in the MSN to DNP format. They stated I could in fact enroll, but I would be required to take all the classes.

Thanks for the information on the UWM, but it is not a viable option for me.

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I did complete a post master's FNP at Texas Tech. I had to take community health (this was not in my acute care program) and then the rest was just the family program.

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I do not have a DNP, just MSN, but call Texas Tech

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Specializes in nursing education.

I found several with an easy google search including online options/clinicals in your own area.

https://www.google.com/#q=family+nurse+practitioner+certificate

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Hmm, thanks. Wow, Google is amazing. I've never heard of it before. You can just search things, and find anything you're looking for. I can't believe nobody uses this.

My apologies for the heavy sarcasm... Oh there it is again.

Anyways, the link you provided, does not list my state. I assure you I picked up a few research skills in obtaing a doctorate, and probably more sarcasm. I have been looking for months.

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UAMS does but the problem they are working to rectify with their online program is that they do not have contracts with other states for people to do clinicals outside of arkansas but they are fixing with each state as they admit students from that state so that shouldn't be a problem.

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Specializes in ..

Hope you have found a solution...if not pm me and I may have a some info that may help.

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