FNP vs AGNP?

[Jessicalynn]

Hello everyone!

I am currently approx. a year into a MSN-FNP program at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. I am considering AGNP. How many of you are doing this route and why? With my program it is an extra 16-week semester for the FNP over AGNP. I do not necessarily have a desire to work with children; however, I am also not opposed to it. I figured that if I should want to open my own practice someday, that it would be better to be able to see all ages as opposed to just adults? I could see either working out...just hard to see ahead what the best route is. I'd love to work in a clinic setting, no ER or critical care for me :0)

If I should decide to later specialize in an area, such as nutrition/alternative or integrative medicine, how could I go about doing so? Is it so many hours under and MD that works in that field? Would AGNP or FNP make a difference in what I could specialize in?

Any information provided would be greatly appreciated! Shortly, I need to line up my clinicals and will need to know whether or not to include peds and women's health.

Thank you!! :)

[Teleflurry, DNP]

Im currently in an AGNP program for primary care and I made up my mind I never want to work with children. If you scour most job listings as I do, you'll see that most jobs dont even specify what type of NP that you are. Of course if you choose to work with children - you will need the FNP. If you, like me, plan to work in the adult setting (clinics, homeless outreach, nursing homes, private practice, cardiology, neuro, GI, pulmonary, nephro, etc) - you can do with the AGNP. I had a huge coming to terms oment when I was being pressured to go into the FNP by EVERYONE - until I spoke to AGNP nurses. If you see yourself in the ER later in life - youll probably need the FNP or even the acute care program - but that varies on institution. I would stick with the FNP if you really felt like you wanted to treat children - and hey, maybe wanted to work at a clinic that also see's children (the FNP). If your hardset on specializing in adults only - as I KNOW I am, then AGNP is a great route. With the AGNP just make sure you kno your comofrt level with the elderly, because people often pass up the gerontology portion because its not glamourous. All depends on your passion. I always said...if I suffer head trauma and decide I want to work with kids later in life - the FNP post masters certificate is a whooping two more classes from my current DNP degree track (totally doable).

-BUT- youd have to deal with the headache of trying to find a program, get accepted, blah blah blah.

Your already in there sister, so if you see children and infant care in your future and there's a market for that in your area - save yourself the headache later and do your FNP.

Good luck!

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I agree with Teleflurry up to an extent, if you have no doubt that you will never want to treat kids, then AGNP would be a good path. However, to play the devil's advocate in the argument, I'd much rather do 16wks extra now than a complete post masters certificate later if that ever changed. What would be the down side to just doing the FNP now?

[Jessicalynn]

Thanks for the replies! :-)

Anyone know about how to go about specializing as an additional certification? Such as in integrative medicine? Or is it just the provider you work for?

Thanks!

[MedievalNurse]

There are post master's for some specializations as you know, but for many specialties, it would just be a matter of being specialized based upon your experience. You could be an AGNP and specialize in nephrology for example, not because there is a special course or program, but if you worked for nephrologists and developed that as a special interest. Additionally, some programs such as the University of South Alabama offer some sub specialties, such as cardiovascular, palliative care, oncology, etc. These aren't official types of NPs but it gives you additional training in those areas. Hope that helps.