FNP vs. Adult/Gero Primary Care NP

[DesertSky, BSN]

I am a nurse with a critical care background. I am not interested in becoming an Acute Care NP as I would prefer to treat patients in the primary care setting vs. the acute care setting.

I am torn between FNP vs. Adult/Gero Primary Care NP. In my career, I have only ever treated patients aged 14 and up, so I'm not crazy about treating children. Though I feel pulled towards the Adult/Gero Primary Care NP role, I have heard it is much easier to find jobs if you have your FNP as you are not limited in ages you can treat.

I would love to hear from both AGPNP's and FNP's regarding their experience in the matter. Was it easier to find work in one role vs the other? Any advice for someone trying to decide between the two?

Thanks in advance!

[Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm an FNP (and also will have my AGACNP later this year) and really just went with the FNP because it was offered at the public university in my area, and offers more diversity in terms of job prospects. My background is adults and I currently work cardiology and internal medicine, so I'm not exactly using all of my degree, but I like knowing that if I wanted to go work in ER, an urgent care, or go work in a family primary practice, I would be able to. A pipe dream job later on in life is to work for the department of state overseas as one of their embassy providers, and you also need your FNP for that.

Overall though I kind of doubt I will ever use the full scope of my FNP, but I do like know I have more options. Also, even though I never worked in peds and likely won't, it was by far my favorite rotation in school, and probably where I learned the most.

In terms of jobs, I think most jobs for NP's are geared towards adults, at least in my area, so I don't think you'll have too much trouble.

[DesertSky, BSN]

I'm an FNP (and also will have my AGACNP later this year) and really just went with the FNP because it was offered at the public university in my area, and offers more diversity in terms of job prospects. My background is adults and I currently work cardiology and internal medicine, so I'm not exactly using all of my degree, but I like knowing that if I wanted to go work in ER, an urgent care, or go work in a family primary practice, I would be able to. A pipe dream job later on in life is to work for the department of state overseas as one of their embassy providers, and you also need your FNP for that.

Overall though I kind of doubt I will ever use the full scope of my FNP, but I do like know I have more options. Also, even though I never worked in peds and likely won't, it was by far my favorite rotation in school, and probably where I learned the most.

In terms of jobs, I think most jobs for NP's are geared towards adults, at least in my area, so I don't think you'll have too much trouble.

Thank your for your response! Your current job in internal med and cardiology would be the kind of position I would love to do.

You do raise a good point about your FNP opening the door for urgent care, ER, and other opportunities. I am glad to hear you enjoyed your peds rotation because it's actually one of the reasons I was shying away from FNP as my professional experience has all been with adults.