Hospice/Palliative NP - which academic track?

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Hi all:

I am a new second career BSN grad. Just started working in Oncology. Want to be a Hospice/Palliative Care NP when I "grow up" and have to start researching programs now since I am in my 40s.

Wondering if it makes any difference whether I pursue the FNP track or the AG/AC NP track? There are many more options and much more affordable in our area for an FNP degree. The AG/AC - a little more limited.

Would appreciate any thoughts. Many thanks in advance.

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i would probably go FNP because, sadly, kids can be referred to hospice services too...having the training for ALL age groups would be applicable. i have a classmate in FNP program planning on the same career path. it takes a heck of a special person. good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Thanks Birkie! Yes it is hard to see 30 and 40 year olds fall apart, but kids are a whole other level of heartbreak. Thanks for your thoughts.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Have you thought about AG-PCNP? This might be off topic but Loyola University-Chicago has a Oncology certificate to supplement any NP program they have. Also, I think University of Illinois at Chicago has an "Advanced Practice Palliative Care Nursing Certificate" as well. i do not know much about these certificates, I only know about them while researching both of the schools while I was figuring out which NP program to go to! Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Thanks, msufan! Good to know about these additional certificate programs. I live in the Northeast, so Chicago schools will likely not work for me (although I love Chicago, live there for a little while).

Over here Yale has an Oncology NP degree which I am sure would prepare one well for issues of Palliation,, but it's Yale - expensive etc. As far as AG-PCNP - the school where I got my BSN offers both the AG-PCNP and the AG-ACNP (and FNP) programs. But there are many more schools and options location and cost wise for the FNP programs. It sounds like both could be good choices and that's great since I want to have a little more flexibility.

Thanks for your thoughts.

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