FNP or PNP

rnmindy · Dec 16, 2013

I am researching schools as well and my heart is only in Peds. When I graduated nursing school in 2006 I worked in PICU and then due to family circumstances I had to switch to more daycare friendly hours and at that point worked with adults and peds together in an outpatient setting. I now have no patient care and review charts in Compliance. I finally decided that now is as good a time as any to return to my true love of peds as a NP so that I can keep daycare friendly hours and love on kids :) I say all of that to say I understand your predicament. I found that the University of South Alabama has an option for either Acute PNP or Primary PNP. I wonder if you could attempt to get a dual role certification which would open up your job opportunities instead of obtaining a FNP degree. Just a thought. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2013

I'm looking to start a MSN NP program but I had a question about certification choices. I currently work in pediatrics (PICU) and would like to stay primarily in pediatrics I also want job security. I was considering going to FNP and getting a post-masters certification in pediatrics but I can't seem to find any programs that give that option. Is it an option? Or should I just pursue a PNP instead?[/quote']
You can't beat the flexibility with an FNP. Employers love it because you are unrestricted in the ages you can treat. You would likely not need to do a post-masters to work in pediatrics, save for some speciality settings.
If you are totally sure you never want to do anything but peds (and I suggest you shadow some providers in both Family and Pediatrics to get a feel for it) then you will gain additional experience in peds with a PNP.
One of the major children's hospitals by me hires quite a few FNPs because they manage their "kids" well into adulthood.
As for the previous poster, with the consensus model, NPs will need to start choosing between in-patient and out-patient programs.