Dual NP certifications

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Hello all,

I am currently a BSN graduate who would like to eventually obtain my masters of doctorate. I am very interested in the advanced emergency program at the University of South Alabama, where you complete coursework and sit for your AGACNP and FNP certifications at the end. I read some criticism that you can't complete enough hours in each specialty to renew the certifications when needed. I wanted to see if there are NP's out there who hold dual certifications and if you have trouble keeping up with your certification requirements every 5 years? And if you are able to, do you hold multiple jobs to maintain eligibility? One full time and a PRN?

Thank you for any advice/information!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

As a disclosure, I don't have dual certification - I have one, ACNP.

These dual programs such as the one at UAB are aimed at Emergency Medicine NP practice. Graduates would likely be interested in Emergency Medicine as a field and would likely pursue a career in this setting. If that becomes the case, Emergency Medicine as a field combines many aspects of both acute care and primary care in their day to day practice. It is the reality of ED's across the US and is the reason why these dual programs exist. Having said that, ANCC or AANP would certainly not question appropriateness of practice hours for an NP with both certifications who work in Emergency Medicine.

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Specializes in Peds; Cardiac, NICU, PACU.

This is a great question. One I hadn't considered before now. I am in a Dual Pediatric NP/AC-PNP program. I do plan to work in the hospital once I am done with school, but I don't yet know if that will satisfy my PNP credentials and if not, what do I need to do?

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Thank you Juan! Any input is very welcome, and that would make sense since it is an emergency degree. I just wasn't sure what hours would work to recertify both certificates. Yeah, I never thought of that before either. I love learning new things, and would love to either use each degree in a separate setting, if possible, for variety. Or work in the ED. I am very interested to here what those with dual certifications do...

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