Doubting Certification Choice?

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.

I am beginning an ANP/GNP dual program this fall part-time through Vanderbilt. I am a bit nervous to say the least, but also doubting whether I've made the right choice in going with the dual ANP/GNP instead of FNP. I choose this for several reasons: 1) I do not like working with sick babies, kids AND their parents, 2) the idea of going through clinical practicum with this age group makes me not want to return to school at all, 3) I have always loved working with adolescents and older adults both, 4) I felt like a dual program of adult & geriatric might offer more NP job possibilities than just one or the other.

However, now that classes are about to begin and I am actually going to commit myself to two years of study in this AND commit myself financially to this, I worry about not being able to find a job. I have read and reread the posts about how marketable FNP's and ANP's are, and I also know I should go with what I love to do and the money will follow. However, I can't quit worrying about the long-term implications of my choice. I would LOVE to talk with another ANP or GNP about where you're working, just to get some advice before I commit myself. Anyone got anything?

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As I stated in an earlier post, I would go for the FNP. It is the most marketable of all NP specialties. You can work anywhere from family practice to any medical specialty, including geriatrics. I encourage you to look at where you want to live and what is the job market like. I didn't do this and am paying the price with no ANP job and few positions out there that are not FNP. I followed what I loved and the money is not there. Remember nursing school when we all did things we knew we didn't want to do when we graduated (OB, Psych)? It is the same as an NP. Just get through the school with the most marketable degree you can get. You don't have to do family practice with an FNP.

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.

My issue with doing the FNP is that I've already applied to Vandy & invested quite a bit of money buying necessary items for the program such as a PDA, Tenn. licensure, etc. Plus, I keep hearing of other NPs who did specialty certs and love their positions. I have a friend who did the ANP/WHNP and did not have a problem getting a position. If it is that difficult to find a job, why do so many keep applying for these programs? Also, if only the FNP program is marketable, why are there now a ton of other specialty areas for NPs? My real dilemma comes with whether or not I should pay the higher tuition for Vandy & do ANP/GNP, or take another semester off and go with WKU's lower rate but only FNP?

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From your post it seems that you are very concerned with not being able to find a job as an NP after investing an enormous amount of time and money. Believe me, I understand having just finished the Master's Degree. That is my primary reason for suggesting that you should make yourself as marketable as possible. Look at the job market around where you want to live and work. Are there lots of ANP's and practices that could hire you? Internal Medicine typically does lots of hospital care, do you want to do that? Are you interested in ER, Urgent care - can't do those as a ANP/GNP. Are you primarily intersted in long-term care - good choice for GNP.

If you are willing to move around then you will probably not have any problem finding a position. Florida seems to need lots of NPs. I cannot relocate at this time. My husband is moving up in his company and I had a baby during the program so you can see it would be very tough to move just for my job. Good luck with your decision, I know it is tough. I am thinking about going back for the FNP if I don't have a position by December of this year.

I was told that ANPs were very marketable too but at graduation only 1 person had a job as a ANP (out of 12) and 1 had a job in family practice but she has to get FNP certified which means more school. I don't want to discourage you but just look at your options before you get too far (like me) and realize that you should have done something else.

I don't know why there are so many different certifications but there was talk while I was in school to do away with all of them and make a general NP like we are as RN's and then you can specialize during one of your semesters. Too many certifications is leading to "alphabet soup" again with our names and people don't know what they mean, even some medical professionals don't know what they mean.

Hope I have discouraged you too much, it is a big investment of money and time but I think it will be worth it when we get some experience under our belts.

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.
From your post it seems that you are very concerned with not being able to find a job as an NP after investing an enormous amount of time and money. Believe me, I understand having just finished the Master's Degree. That is my primary reason for suggesting that you should make yourself as marketable as possible. Look at the job market around where you want to live and work. Are there lots of ANP's and practices that could hire you? Internal Medicine typically does lots of hospital care, do you want to do that? Are you interested in ER, Urgent care - can't do those as a ANP/GNP. Are you primarily intersted in long-term care - good choice for GNP.

If you are willing to move around then you will probably not have any problem finding a position. Florida seems to need lots of NPs. I cannot relocate at this time. My husband is moving up in his company and I had a baby during the program so you can see it would be very tough to move just for my job. Good luck with your decision, I know it is tough. I am thinking about going back for the FNP if I don't have a position by December of this year.

I was told that ANPs were very marketable too but at graduation only 1 person had a job as a ANP (out of 12) and 1 had a job in family practice but she has to get FNP certified which means more school. I don't want to discourage you but just look at your options before you get too far (like me) and realize that you should have done something else.

I don't know why there are so many different certifications but there was talk while I was in school to do away with all of them and make a general NP like we are as RN's and then you can specialize during one of your semesters. Too many certifications is leading to "alphabet soup" again with our names and people don't know what they mean, even some medical professionals don't know what they mean.

Hope I have discouraged you too much, it is a big investment of money and time but I think it will be worth it when we get some experience under our belts.

Well, ok so I've done some thinking. I called Western Kentucky University today to check tuition rates of their FNP program -$283 per credit hour as opposed to Vandy's $850. I have to do the part-time course because of having to work full-time. WKU offers distance-learning options as well, but I only live 20 minutes or so from the campus. I can't do FNP through Vandy b/c of no distance option. I think I was attracted to Vandy for its reputation mostly, not necessarily b/c of the ANP/GNP factor.

So I am seriously considering going the FNP route instead through WKU, and also if I do, my hospital will pay entirely for 6 credit hours per semester, which is the max hopefully I will take per semester. So that would cover tuition, all I'd have left is books. Just something I'm considering....we'll see.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Are you saying you want to certify in BOTH ANP and GNP?

If so - I would question the need for both. ANP's are very well qualified to handle geriatric problems.

If the thought of handling ill babies and small children scares you, I would stay away from that. Yes FNP is more marketable, but that's because an FNP can work in peds, ger, adult, etc etc....If you know you NEVER want to do peds, stick with the ANP!

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In addition to peds, ANPs never, ever see a pregnant women for anything. Not just prenatal care but even primary care problems such as sinus infections, UTIs etc. That means that you can't be employed by OB/GYNs, most free clinics, health departments, urgent care centers etc. Again, just look at the market around you and what are the needs.

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I am probably partial since I am 6 days shy of graduating from Vandy, but the advice I have for you is to follow your heart and not second guess yourself. What you say in your post is that you don't have a desire to deal with children in your practice. I personally think that ANP/GNP is a good choice for you. I too knew that kids were not for me and initially when I too was contemplating the FNP tract, the program director had a long conversation with me about what my desires are. FNP's have a very broad knowledge base across several age groups/populations. Doing an ANP of GNP tract will allow you to have a more narrow breadth of knowledge but a greater depth of knowledge for that age group. I hope you find peace in whatever decision you make.

Kristie

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
are you saying you want to certify in both anp and gnp?

if so - i would question the need for both. anp's are very well qualified to handle geriatric problems.

if the thought of handling ill babies and small children scares you, i would stay away from that. yes fnp is more marketable, but that's because an fnp can work in peds, ger, adult, etc etc....if you know you never want to do peds, stick with the anp!

i, too, possess double certification as np and a certification in the legal area of nursing. i originally certified as ob-gyn np (woman's health now ). that was very narrow. then obtained cert as fnp. i am so glad i did that because jobs were so scorifice as ob np (my state and surrounding states had flight of ob docs secondary to cancellations and other liability-related issues. also, my malpractice insurance was so unbelievable), and, the burn out factor was huge.

i agree with guage about anp's being qualified to do geriatrics. fnp most definitely is the most marketable of all certs. if you do not want to practice with the client under adult age, then do not. i do not like small children. babies in utero and up to 2 days after birth, i can handle all day long, but, then i do not like to deal with them until about age 2 and a half. i also, do not like geriatrics. but, i have learned to deal with my dislikes and practice all areas and all ages.

you just need to look at what is best for you. but, if you want my humble opinion, go for the fnp.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.

Well I have decided officially to do the FNP. I will begin classes part-time Aug. 29, and most of the classroom work will be via web/correspondence. So this works great for me because of my starting a new RN position next week. Just gonna take about 6 hours this semester. I researched the job market in my area and it seems that the FNP will be more marketable. I really liked Vandy, I think for the prestigous reputation, but then again, the cost is not worth it to me, plus not being as marketable an area as the FNP. So here goes...I am excited to get started though, I really do enjoy classes and I'm looking forward to this.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Well I have decided officially to do the FNP. I will begin classes part-time Aug. 29, and most of the classroom work will be via web/correspondence. So this works great for me because of my starting a new RN position next week. Just gonna take about 6 hours this semester. I researched the job market in my area and it seems that the FNP will be more marketable. I really liked Vandy, I think for the prestigous reputation, but then again, the cost is not worth it to me, plus not being as marketable an area as the FNP. So here goes...I am excited to get started though, I really do enjoy classes and I'm looking forward to this.

I think you will be satisfied with this choice. I know you must feel alot of relief finally making the decision, too.

Good luck!!!

Siri

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