NP Certification Renewal for those who are dual certified in different specialties...

[xraytech]

Hello! :)

I am about to embark on the journey towards earning my Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. As I was deciding on a graduate nursing specialty, I had a very hard time deciding between Family Psych/Mental Health NP vs. Family Nurse Practitioner. I always had an interest in working in mental health, but also was afraid to limit myself to one specialty for the next 30+ years. I loved the idea of becoming an FNP, as I had in interest in family medicine, college health, employment health, women's health, and dermatology. The FNP degree seemed more marketable, and I would be able to switch around throughout my career. But, I was always very drawn to the Psych NP route. And I saw more and more psych positions wanted someone who was certified in psych vs. and FNP. So I ultimately chose to pursue the Family Psych (PMHNP) route...

However, I am contemplating continuing on an addition 1-2 years (after I finish the psych NP portion), and possibly getting certified (via a post masters certificate) as an FNP as well, as I have seen some of you on here are both...

I'm not entirely familiar with how NP certification goes... it seems all too confusing regarding state licensing vs. national certification. But I can read (haha), and what I have seen from the ANCC website here: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/CertificationRenewal/RenewalofCertification.aspx

is that you need to re-certify in your specialty every 5 years, with a minimum educational contact hours (which I equate to "course work" and learning) which seems very reasonable. In addition, you also have to complete a minimum of 1000 practice hours in your specialty (via employment or volunteer work) OR you have to pass the certification exam.

ATTENTION those of you who are certified as BOTH a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)...

What type of setting do you work in?

Do you utilize both certifications (ex. if you are working in psychiatric only setting, how do you utilize your FNP certification? or vice versa)

How do you maintain your dual certifications?

Are you getting the required minimum practice hours in both specialties? (and how do you do it? part-time work, volunteering?)

Or are you taking the recertification exam?

I don't know all the legalities of licensing vs. certification, and I realize that some states you don't have to be nationally certified (although I don't know what you would be... could someone explain this?). But regardless, if I go thru the trouble to be certified in both, I'd like to be certified NATIONALLY in both, so I can work where I please, when I want to. It's ultimately my goal to be most marketable, most knowledgeable and capable of being a good provider, as well as having the flexibility to work wherever, whenever.

So, I would like to know if it is feasible to be certified in both areas and keep up both certifications... I don't really WANT to have to recertify via an exam every 5 years... But I'm also not sure where I will be working, and if it will be possible to do 25 weeks (40 hrs x 15 wks = 1000 hours!) in a family practice position, if I am working in psych...

And FYI, my reasoning for continuing on and getting my FNP is to open my job opportunities, so that if I ever WANT to change specialties I have that option down the road, without having to motivate myself to go back to school again. I'd rather push through and get it all over with at once, and hopefully it will prove itself useful and contribute to the way I provide care.

So if anyone out there has any info (regardless of your specialty), I'd really appreciate it... Let me know how you are keeping your certifications up...! Thank you for reading and your help... I really appreciate it!

[Smitty08]

HI

I did pursue dually boarding FNP/then PMHNP. It was a really good way for me to go. I completed the FNP first, then did the psych. It involved 6 clinical placements, which was a lot of time. Now I work primarily in psych., its easier to keep up with credentially in psych. but not that hard to stay qualified as an FNP. Since I don't work as an FNP I have to retake the exam. Its something I may not do forever! Both areas do compliment each other so well, so many psych. dx have a medical component and vice versa. You'd have to enjoy school however! Good Luck!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm both an adult CNS as well as peds CNS. There is some overlap in the ages so that is how I'm doing it. Plus also CEUs.

[exchangeofideas, NP]

I am currently certified as a PMHNP ANCC and AGPCNP AANP through two different certifying organizations. I have not tried to recertify yet, but only have experience in PMHNP at this time. I wonder if the hours I have done in psych will cover the AGPCNP?