How does becoming an APN work as far as picking a specialty?

[curioustwo]

It seems like there is just one program for all? Is the specialty whatever your current field of nursing is in or are you able to pick a different one at a later date? What about alternative medicine? Is it possible to specialize in that? In a broader sense, what are your limits?

[Cardiology EP NP]

Most acute care programs require ICU experience. The school I graduated from also had that stipulation, which was one of the reasons I did not do the acute care program. I think some acute care programs have their students do some of the clinicals in the ICU setting in that case it would be beneficial to have ICU experience. So, the bottom line with that is that you would have to check with the school that you are interested in attending and see if ICU experience is something they require.

It sounds like you cardiac experience much resembles my own. I also worked on CV step down unit caring for post stent/ICD/ablation, etc patients before becoming an NP. Personally, I think if you do a primary care program, that would be sufficient to do inpatient cardiology, but not if you also plan on working in an ICU. I think you would be fine if you worked inpatient on a CV step down unit. In ICU, the issues are different. But, it sounds like you would be on a CV step down unit, which INMHO would be just fine.

I did an adult NP program with a combo CNS (cadiac specialization). The cardiac specialization is all online. For you, maybe you could do the adult NP program with cardiology clinicals and possibly do the same CNS specialization I did. You could do it from home. It's just three classes, which includes a 12 lead EKG online course.

Anyway, it might be something to consider. Looks good on a resume. One of the cardiology practice I interviewed at was vey impressed with my educational track.

Any other questions, just let me know.

[nyforlove]

I did an adult NP program with a combo CNS (cadiac specialization). The cardiac specialization is all online. For you, maybe you could do the adult NP program with cardiology clinicals and possibly do the same CNS specialization I did. You could do it from home. It's just three classes, which includes a 12 lead EKG online course.

Anyway, it might be something to consider. Looks good on a resume. One of the cardiology practice I interviewed at was vey impressed with my educational track.

Thanks Cardiology EP NP for all your good advice; I'm in a similar situation as the original poster and your advice helped tremendously. DO YOU KNOW HOW I COULD LOCATE THAT 12-CREDIT ON-LINE CNS SPECIALIZATION??--IS IS PART OF THE NP UNIVERSITY YOU ATTENDED OR IS IT OPEN TO ANYONE IN ANY NP PROGRAM? Thanks again.