Is there such thing as Hospitalist Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?

[may8755]

I am currently in Nursing School, set to graduate in May 2009. Once I graduate, I would like to work for the summer and then start the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program in Fall of 2009, possibly at UT Knoxville or Vanderbilt. My dream place to work would be on a general pediatric med-surg floor in a Children's hospital rather than a clinic or a school. If I become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary care, could I still work on a general Med Surg floor? I know I wouldn't be able to work in the PICU or Peds ER, but would I still be okay to work peds med surg?

I am trying to get this all figured out so I can apply in a timely manner for the program that fits what I want to do. Any help would be greaaaaaatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Meira

[core0]

I am currently in Nursing School, set to graduate in May 2009. Once I graduate, I would like to work for the summer and then start the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program in Fall of 2009, possibly at UT Knoxville or Vanderbilt. My dream place to work would be on a general pediatric med-surg floor in a Children's hospital rather than a clinic or a school. If I become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary care, could I still work on a general Med Surg floor? I know I wouldn't be able to work in the PICU or Peds ER, but would I still be okay to work peds med surg?

I am trying to get this all figured out so I can apply in a timely manner for the program that fits what I want to do. Any help would be greaaaaaatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Meira

There are two certifying organizations for PNPs. PNCB has acute and primary care PNPs. ANCC has a single PNP certification. In states that differentiate you need the AC-PNP to work inpatient and the primary care to work outpatient. In other states you can use the ANCC and work inpatient and outpatient on the same cert. Hospital credentialling will also affect where you can work. I would talk to the school and see what cert you can qualify for.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[ANPFNPGNP]

I am currently in Nursing School, set to graduate in May 2009. Once I graduate, I would like to work for the summer and then start the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program in Fall of 2009, possibly at UT Knoxville or Vanderbilt. My dream place to work would be on a general pediatric med-surg floor in a Children's hospital rather than a clinic or a school. If I become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary care, could I still work on a general Med Surg floor? I know I wouldn't be able to work in the PICU or Peds ER, but would I still be okay to work peds med surg?

I am trying to get this all figured out so I can apply in a timely manner for the program that fits what I want to do. Any help would be greaaaaaatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Meira

I believe they still have the dual PNP/ACPNP program at Vanderbilt. You'll be covered both ways. You'll get to train at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital too!

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

I believe they still have the dual PNP/ACPNP program at Vanderbilt. You'll be covered both ways. You'll get to train at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital too!

Yeah, go for the PNP-PC/PNP-AC dual program if that is what you want. I "heard" that if your job is mainly inpatient or acute care, that JACHO is really pushing for the ACUTE CARE certifications...

And many times, if you are a PNP-PC and working in a setting such as the PICU or NICU (not well nursery, or general peds) that is working outside of your scope and many states will come down on you - and your facility - hard for letting you work in those settings.

Good luck! At the NAPNAP conference, there was a wonderful session on JUST this. Go for the PNP-AC if you have the opportunity and that is the only thing you want to do! But the PC will give you the ability to go almost anywhere else.