NNP v. PNP in follow up clinics

[bijou214]

I have been a NICU nurse for almost 2 years now and I love it. I love the NICU population. However, within the next 2-3 years, I want to go back to school for my masters but I'm not sure if I should get a NNP or a PNP. My ultimate goal is to work in a NICU follow up clinic. I am very interested in development. My original plan was to get my NNP, work for a few years and then transition to a follow up clinic later on in my career.

But recently, I have been told that most NPs in follow up clinics are PNPs. Does anyone have insight into this? Any advice on what you would do? While I love the idea of being an NNP, I don't know if I want to work in a hospital for the rest of my career.

Thanks.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Legally, as an NNP, your scope of practice is limited to ages 0-2. So if you want to practice outpatient in a followup clinic that cares for children past 2 years of age, than yes, go for the PNP.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Our hospital only uses NNP's in the NICU, PNP's in nursery. They use both in our preemie follow up clinic. We have several girls that are both and float between units.