FNP vs. ACNP for work in ICU

[Nurseratchet789]

Hi everyone. I am planning to go back to school to get my MSN. I am not sure which track to choose. Either Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner. I want to work in Intensive care as NP. I have heard that many hospitals hire Family Nurse Practitioner and not Acute Care NP for the job. What was your experiences with that?

[traumanightsRN, NP]

I have a couple friends that did this. However they were told they had to get an ACNP post master's certificate. It doesn't make any sense to get your FNP if you want to work in acute care. I just graduated from an FNP program and have worked 8 years in a Surgery Trauma ICU in an inner city Level I Trauma Center. Nothing I was taught in my FNP program was relative in the ICU. Also, depending on the state you work in, some states will not let you practice with a population you are not educated or trained to provide care for. Go the ACNP route now or you'll end up having to do it soon enough when your employer says you have to.

[gelli.25]

For ICU settings, definitely ACNP. FNP education is for prevention and wellness, more chronic than acute illnesses. You will not get to experience vents, hemodynamic drips, continuous IV antibiotic therapy, rounding patients...ya know all the acute stuff they you'd do as an acute care NP.

I'm getting my FNP, I know that I want to work with well individuals of all ages, preventing illnesses and reinforcing good health. Of course, there are going to be some acute patients like a rash, sore throat, STIs, ect., but nothing complex like the ICU. Id rather be in the community setting as opposed to rounding patients in the hospital.

But yeah, if ICU is what you want- I'd say ACNP. It'll give you a better educational background in my opinion.