FNP/ENP questions

[KG MSN RN CCRN CEN, MSN, RN]

I just finished my junior year in my BSN program, but I am trying to plan out my future as best as I can. I have heard that if I want to work in an ED as a NP, then go for FNP because they can see patients of all ages. But lately I have been seeing ENP programs and post graduate emergency/trauma care certificates, and I have been thinking about those also, but I do not live near any of them and they are requiring in class attendance.

Do FNP programs teach ED interventions such as suturing, intubation, or other things like that? Or can are these typically taught during orientation when hired into an ED? I know the ENP programs do practice these skills frequently.

Also, do FNP students get clinical rotations in ED's and other critical care type settings, or is it just in outpatient/primary care?

Thanks in advance to all who answer!

[Dranger]

I think FNP can have some internal med inpatient rotations but for the most part it is outpatient.

If you want critical care look at ACNP (primarily ALL inpatient). ACNP teaches intubation, central lines, some tapping etc

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

There are some similar threads about this. Some have said the "emergency nurse practitioner" programs are really just FNP + ACNP as I don't think there is an actual ENP exam/certification (I could be wrong!!)

Anyway in my FNP program we did learn how to do some minor procedures (suturing, I&D, biopsies, etc.) as these are also done in primary care clinics.

[KG MSN RN CCRN CEN, MSN, RN]

I don't believe there is an ENP exam either! It might be a good route to start out getting my FNP then getting the post-masters ACNP. But then I would have to choose between adult-gero or peds ACNP. Hmmmm...decisions, decisions.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'd think adult ACNP (I have always mulled around getting ACNP after FNP). You get experience with the most ages acute care wise (I know with adult primary care the age is 13 and up if I remember right). If babies are SICK sick we have a children's hospital we'd be shipping to anyway.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

If you know that absolutely all you want to do is ED, have shadowed providers, and are sure the the ED is there you want to work for the foreseeable future then do ENP program. If you think you may want to do some other type of acute care in addition than ACNP. If you want to do fast track with an option of doing speciality/primary down the road, do FNP.

You need to to lots of shadow hours with NPs to make a choice, as you aren't even working as a RN yet to see what you like.

Sent from my iPhone.

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

You may also want to find out if the hospitals in your area are going to continue to allow FNPs to work in acute care. There is a push to separate primary care from acute care and for NPs to work in the areas they were trained. One of the hospitals in my area just told all of their NPs that they will have to obtain their acute care certification (they are all FNPs). Just something to think about if you know what setting you want to be in.