PA NP movability

[Pinoy2.0]

Hello, I was wondering about a specific difference about NP vs PA's.

I was talking to an NP last night and he said that NP's can go into any field they want to, regardless of their past. He said he could go into geri's, peds, surgery, ortho....whatever he wanted to. I realize a PA had the ability to do that as long as they had a supervising physician to allow them to do that...but I thought an NP had to declare their 'major' or specialty pretty much in the beginning of NP school. So...I'm now confused, as an NP, regardless of the concentration one picks in the beginning of NP school, you can choose any field and you don't have to go back to NP school (for the speciality)?

[Pinoy2.0]

Hmm, ok. So, for the most part, as a FNP you have most roads open, even in some specialties. It's up to the employer, for the most part, to determine if in their speciality requries that a specialist is needed or a FNP would be fine. However some specialites may be restricted by law and you won't be able to practice in them unless you have a speciality in them (i.e. NICU-NP's)?

Sorry, but this is all confusing!

[fergus51]

Hmm, ok. So, for the most part, as a FNP you have most roads open, even in some specialties. It's up to the employer, for the most part, to determine if in their speciality requries that a specialist is needed or a FNP would be fine. However some specialites may be restricted by law and you won't be able to practice in them unless you have a speciality in them (i.e. NICU-NP's)?

Sorry, but this is all confusing!

You've pretty much got it. Basically FNPs will be able to work with almost every kind of med-surg type patient from babies up to old folks. They just can't work in the most specialized units. So, if you know you really want to work in NICU or psych or L&D, getting your FNP is not the best thing. I would be interested in becoming a CNM or NNP, but the FNP thing holds absolutely no value to me because it wouldn't be the best choice to prepare me to work in the area I am interested in (women/infant health).

The best comparison I can give is between a GP doctor and a specialist. GPs can work with a wide range of patients, but not all of them just like FNPs. For some patient care areas a specialist is the only person for the job like NICU, L&D, etc.

[JACKMAC]

Pinoy2.0 are you a nurse or a student? Most FNPs are NOT in the hospital.

The previous post is true about some specialties like NICU but don't forget that the NICU is the ONLY place that Neonatal NPs will work. They are not trained for other pediatric populations. PNPs will ONLY work with aged 21 and under ever. I have heard of some a few PNPs being able to go into NICU but that is not what they are trained for. PNPs are trained for primary care peds.

Whereas a FNP is certified to care for children, adolecents, adults, and elders. My son's primary care provider is a FNP who worked in a pediatric office until she opened her own practice with another doc. FNPs can work in family practice clinics and most adult specialties and some peds like cardiology, pulmonary, dermatology, GI, urology, and on and on. FNPs cannot deliver babies but CNMs can.

It is very similar to medical education. Once you pick an area, doctors can't just change unless they go through another residency program. A FP doc can't decide one day that he/she is going to be a surgeon without the extra training.

It is just the way the education has evolved. It is a little confusing but if you are interested in advanced practice, research what you are interested in completely before going through the training. It is a big step and a lot of work but it is worth it.