MPH/PNP or MPH/FNP

[ana.saavedra14]

Hello everyone!

I am struggling with making this decision. I am looking at different schools with a joint degree; Master's of Public Health and MSN.

The specialties for the MSN are FNP or PNP-PC. I love peds! Peds has always been my passion. Just thinking about learning adult content in the FNP curriculum makes me feel less excited... so you guys might be like well DUH! Go for the PNP.

However, I want to work in underserved communities. I want to eventually do development work and help with healthcare disparities and access, but also want to practice as an NP. People recommend me to go for the FNP if I want to do development work, but as I said, I love peds!

I have also seen a lot of discussion with having more opportunities being a FNP and still being able to work with peds, but as people have said, if they were to hire a PNP vs a FNP they would pick the one with more peds experience!

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks!

[SiwanRN]

You might get a more robust answer if you also ask this question in the nurse practitioner forums. That said, I've only ever seen FNPs and sometimes CNMs and WHNPs hired specifically in public health departments, never PNPs. If working with underserved communities is truly your goal, you might also peruse the web pages for local federally qualified health centers (FHQCs) to find out if you see more FNPs or PNPs working. Other options might also including looking through the job listings with the Indian Health Services or look through the HRSA listings to see what areas are underserved. Shortage Designation: Health Professional Shortage Areas & Medically Underserved Areas/Populations As others you've talked to have mentioned, you can still see pediatric patients with an FNP.