FNP vs ANP vs ACNP

[calalilly]

Hi-

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or information about an FNP, ANP, or ACNP specialty.

I have heard mixed information about an FNP. Some say that an FNP cant work in a hospital, while others say they can. I dont think I want to work in a hospital setting, but I dont really want to do primary care either(seeing people with colds or sore throats all winter seems boring to me).

My goal is to work in a clinic setting with oncology patients. I prefer a setting where I would see patients over a long period of time, not just while they were in the hospital. I was wondering if that was possible with the FNP.

Any information or advice would be great. I am trying to chose between 3 programs that offer these 3 different pathways. Thanks!

[greygooseuria]

I am in the same boat as you as far as choosing.

From the programs I have seen, FNPs do the same ANP curriculum plus peds stuff, so pursuing FNP would give you more choices. An ANCP would make you a hospitalist NP.

An FNP does do primary care, but I have also seen them in ICUs and as hospitalist NPs, in clinics, in primary care, etc. Remember, even if you do primary care, you will have patients that have acute events that will require you to perhaps see them in the hospital/do follow up. It won't just be "colds and sore throats".

I was SO against doing primary care...I wanted to be a hospitalist NP badly. Now the more I think about it, I think making sure people stay healthy before they even get sick is more important, and that is what I want to work towards.

[shortlittleRN]

Hi-

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or information about an FNP, ANP, or ACNP specialty.

I have heard mixed information about an FNP. Some say that an FNP cant work in a hospital, while others say they can. I dont think I want to work in a hospital setting, but I dont really want to do primary care either(seeing people with colds or sore throats all winter seems boring to me).

My goal is to work in a clinic setting with oncology patients. I prefer a setting where I would see patients over a long period of time, not just while they were in the hospital. I was wondering if that was possible with the FNP.

Any information or advice would be great. I am trying to chose between 3 programs that offer these 3 different pathways. Thanks!

I'm in the same boat as you. Currently enrolled in ACNP program at University of South Alabama and starting clinical in Fall. My goal is also to work in a clinic setting with oncology as an AOCNP. My experience is mainly in oncology, not ICU so the ACNP concerns me.