Emergency nurse practitioner certification

[pluckyduck, MSN, NP]

Hi all, 

I'm a primary care NP (FNP) working in a small satellite emergency department for a larger health system. I've been working in ER for 10 months and was an ER RN at a level one trauma center prior to my current role. I'm interested in doing the ENP exam offered by the AANP once I meet the criteria. Has anyone done it, and did they find it enhanced their opportunities in terms of salary, benefits, better job opportunities? Thanks in advance! 

[B52express, NP]

Hi there pluckyduck! 

I'm an Urgent Care NP w/ my FNP, did a post-masters for ENP and am going to sit for my exam soon. I've worked with other NP's who've told me that their jobs required the ENP in order to work in their ER. This was in the medical center in Houston, a very high acuity ER but no trauma or peds really. I've heard it doesn't really make a difference overall in job opportunities and that the same opportunities are still there for FNP's as long as you have experience or an ER background. I've also heard medical directors don't even really understand the nuance of what we have to go through in order to obtain the ENP and what exactly that means. I'm not yet certified but during the interview with this current job I told my medical director that I'm an FNP, finished school for ENP and waiting to take my boards for that one and she assumed I was certified as both FNP and ENP but I told her that was not the case. She didn't seem to understand that I went to school for ENP separately as well but oh well, and I understand that FNP's can get it if they do a certain number of EM  hours or procedures as well and don't have to do a post-master's certificate per se. Hope this helped alittle! I would go for the certification, why not have another certification to your name it would look good on your resume.