Dual degree FNP/ AG-ACNP

Nursing Students NP Students

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Specializes in ICU.

Thoughts on dual-certification? Would the hours for both be satisfied if someone worked acute care FT and a clinic maybe once per week? I like the idea however wonder if it is realistic to maintain both certifications.

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Specializes in Emergency & Surgical Trauma.

Not sure if you have looked into it or not, but Vanderbilt's Emergency Nurse Practicioner Program provides you with a dual certification in FNP and ACNP. I think Alabama also has the same program also, but I'm not sure what the requirement is to maintain both certifications. Just a thought.:yes:

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Specializes in ICU/Supervision/ER/AGACNP.

I really thought about doing a dual program. I also entertained the programs at Vanderbilt and South Alabama. When I talked to other NPs, they told me that they didn't feel it was necessary to do so. However, with further research, I think they may have been wrong. In Maryland, an FNP can not work inside the hospital. They can see patients in a clinic setting, but they can't round in a hospital. You have to be a AGACNP in Maryland in order to work in the hospital. I had instructors who worked as AGACNPs in D.C. in the ER who's employers sent them back to school for a post-masters FNP certificate. As an AGACNP, you can't care for pediatrics. The hospital in question did not seperate their pediatric and adult population in the ER. Therefore, the NPs would be more valuable if they have BOTH AGACNP and FNP.

I would consider what you want to do. You can still do primary care as an AGACNP--just not pediatrics. However, I will tell you that I have compared my education to my fiances (who is completing FNP) and they are completely different. AGACNPs don't receive hardly any preventative health education--it's all about acute care, procedures, and the care of the patient from admission to discharge from the hospital. I know very little about health maintenance and I feel I would be better served to complete a FNP certification if I ever decided to pursue primary care.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am actually starting a dual certification program with University of South Alabama this semester. After thinking long and hard I just could not make a decision for choosing one focus or the other. I think that having a dual certification will be quite valuable for a new grad; provides more marketability and opportunity for finding employment.

I love adult critical care in the hospital setting, I can also see myself doing health promotion and disease prevention in the community or in the clinic setting. Having a dual certification allows me the freedom to find my way and what I love - or letting it find me without having restrictions :)

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How are you liking the program at USA so far? I have been looking online for reviews FOREVER, and haven't found any good ones, unfortunately. I stalked allnurses and finally found somebody in the program. Do you feel like you have support from faculty? Difficulty finding clinical sites? Do you feel as though the material in "class" is adequate to prepare you?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Student NP forum

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Specializes in CVICU.
I really thought about doing a dual program. I also entertained the programs at Vanderbilt and South Alabama. When I talked to other NPs, they told me that they didn't feel it was necessary to do so. However, with further research, I think they may have been wrong. In Maryland, an FNP can not work inside the hospital. They can see patients in a clinic setting, but they can't round in a hospital. You have to be a AGACNP in Maryland in order to work in the hospital. I had instructors who worked as AGACNPs in D.C. in the ER who's employers sent them back to school for a post-masters FNP certificate. As an AGACNP, you can't care for pediatrics. The hospital in question did not seperate their pediatric and adult population in the ER. Therefore, the NPs would be more valuable if they have BOTH AGACNP and FNP.

I would consider what you want to do. You can still do primary care as an AGACNP--just not pediatrics. However, I will tell you that I have compared my education to my fiances (who is completing FNP) and they are completely different. AGACNPs don't receive hardly any preventative health education--it's all about acute care, procedures, and the care of the patient from admission to discharge from the hospital. I know very little about health maintenance and I feel I would be better served to complete a FNP certification if I ever decided to pursue primary care.

so an agacnp can open up their very own private practice primary care clinic if they chose to?

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