FNP in Maryland- ACNP vs. DNP

Trauma Columnist · Nov 15, 2009

I live and work in IL and though we have no legislation about who can work where, FNPs are rarely hired to work in ERs in my area (central IL). My experience is that in order to work in the ER, you have to be dual certified: ACNP and PNP.

It might be different in Chicago. Maybe someone who lives there could answer?

marilyn777 · Nov 17, 2009

I work in Maryland and am an FNP. I found that the doctors and midlevels in EDs are mostly staffed by their own private physician groups, especially in the smaller hospitals, and you're not employed by the hospital. That being said, they seem to offer great salaries and incentives, at least the one I was interviewing with (MEP), however they are pretty strict on wanting someone with ER experience, whether as an RN or NP, esp. someone skilled in lots of procedures, but I haven't really seen or heard anything about requirements for ACNP cert. at this point, and THEY were willing to let people work anywhere in the ED (although concentrating in fast-track when needed). That being said, and if the BON is making it mandatory for ACNP cert, I do have to say that I think the whole DNP thing is silly, and would put it off as long as possible and get the ACNP--the DNP offers nothing practical to your job that I can see, and won't help your salary unless maybe you're in an administrative position. I don't see PAs having to get doctorates, and yes I know the differences, but why should we have to pay all that extra money and years just to get a title that means little in the eyes of the medical or patient community when we already are getting reimbursed and priveleged the same with our NP certification and credentials? Just my 2 cents. You'll make a lot more in critical care, and will hopefully get grandfathered in and not have to get the DNP later anyway, when/if they do make it mandatory.

marilyn777 · Nov 17, 2009

You're in a great position if you can get the ACNP on top of the FNP, from what I can tell the critical care field is wide open right now for ACNPs, and the money a decent step up from FNP depending where you work. From what I saw the additional coursework doesn't look like a whole lot more to get the post-masters certification.

NurseKJ · Nov 17, 2009

Hi Marilyn,

Thanks for the reply... That is kinda what I'm leaning towards--the ACNP. I do worry about the DNP programs right now... they are not mandatory yet and they seem to be still in development at lots of schools. I wish the universities would at least do some kinda of clinical practice component in the DNP programs.