How to become an er np or surgical np?

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i've been looking around and haven't seen any np program with my specialty of interest. So would i just need to complete a fnp program and then move onto a fellowship? Or would i just need to go the cns route? I would like to be a np in the er or a cardiothoracic surgical np. Any help on how to go about this? I greatly appreciate any info. :)

Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.
I seem to recall a problem with some graduates of the Vandi program being able to work in a state, because they didn't have enough of the appropriate clinical in each area. I don't remember reading if that issue was resolved, so that may be a non issue. You just have to do your homework when choosing a school. Sometimes it's not the Docs and the Medical Boards that are our problem, it's our own boards of nursing.

The woman I spoke with from Vanderbilt stated that this was a "New" program. Not sure about the issue with enough clinical, have not looked closely at the program yet.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In the end, it doesn't matter what type of program you attend - its the certification exam at the end that covers your scope of practice.

ACNP - sees adults only.

ENP - there is no certifying exam

If you are really serious about ER, should go FNP or even more ideal in my opinion: complete two programs: ACNP and ACPNP.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

Vanderbilt is not brand new; but it is 'young'.

There are a number of good schools running ENP curricula. There is, as of yet, no ENP board cert; so it is a bit of an open field. We were just talking about this in my house tonight with an MD and NP/PA part of the conversation.

Google Emergency Nurse Practitioner and you will find programs at Vanderbilt, University of Texas, Emory, U. of South Alabama, some others. Vanderbilt and USA are doing a combined ACNP/FNP curriculum. Others are doing an expanded FNP curriculum. But there certainly are programs out there who are intent are preparing NPs for the role.

Vanderbilt and USA were the only two I found that do the didactics online. The others were all on-campus programs.

There are a number of possibilities out there. Go back and do your search again.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm in IL and Loyola in Chicago has what they term "ENP" program.

My concern for these programs is (and maybe I'm beating a dead horse) is that so what if you take an ENP program? You still can't see all pts unless you do a certifying exam (FNP) that covers all ages. Then...you have those states that don't allow FNPs to work in the ER and see acute problems.

Kinda a catch-22 IMHO.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.
I'm in IL and Loyola in Chicago has what they term "ENP" program.

My concern for these programs is (and maybe I'm beating a dead horse) is that so what if you take an ENP program? You still can't see all pts unless you do a certifying exam (FNP) that covers all ages. Then...you have those states that don't allow FNPs to work in the ER and see acute problems.

Kinda a catch-22 IMHO.

All the programs I've looked at prepare for the FNP. Some prepare for FNP and ACNP.

The last bit I don't know anything about.

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Just a data point.....my local emergency group has 2 positions posted for NPs. They specifically state in their job post that FNP is not acceptable and that ACNP is required.

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