Np specialities?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 24, 2015

Moved to student NP forum.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 24, 2015

I can't really describe the dynamics of each specialty, but there are different types of NP programs. There is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which is the most broad. FNPs are able to treat basically all patients throughout the lifespan from the very young to the very old. You'll see FNPs working in doctor's offices, clinics, urgent care clinics, pediatric clinics and in some ERs (typically in the fast track area where they will see more stable patients, such as ear aches, stable fevers, sore throats, sprains/strains, simple lacerations, etc).

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)/Adult-Gerontological Care Nurse Practitioners (AGCNP) specialize in the adults and elderly and their focus is primarily within the hospital setting. They may be part of a medical team with doctors and may be responsible for ordering treatments/therapies for patients in the hospital.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP) treat illnesses/conditions that are unique to women as well as focus on reproductive health, prenatal and postnatal care.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PPN) specialize in children. They may work as a primary care provider in a doctor's office (or have their own private practice) or as a specialty provider in the hospital setting.

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) treat patients with depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders. They do a lot of things that a psychiatrist may do such as diagnosing these conditions and prescribing the proper medications.

Breh_118 · Nov 24, 2015

I can't really describe the dynamics of each specialty, but there are different types of NP programs. There is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which is the most broad. FNPs are able to treat basically all patients throughout the lifespan from the very young to the very old. You'll see FNPs working in doctor's offices, clinics, urgent care clinics, pediatric clinics and in some ERs (typically in the fast track area where they will see more stable patients, such as ear aches, stable fevers, sore throats, sprains/strains, simple lacerations, etc).
Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)/Adult-Gerontological Care Nurse Practitioners (AGCNP) specialize in the adults and elderly and their focus is primarily within the hospital setting. They may be part of a medical team with doctors and may be responsible for ordering treatments/therapies for patients in the hospital.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP) treat illnesses/conditions that are unique to women as well as focus on reproductive health, prenatal and postnatal care.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PPN) specialize in children. They may work as a primary care provider in a doctor's office (or have their own private practice) or as a specialty provider in the hospital setting.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) treat patients with depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders. They do a lot of things that a psychiatrist may do such as diagnosing these conditions and prescribing the proper medications.

Very insightful. Thank you. It helped me narrow down my choices a little.

Alikatz08 · Nov 25, 2015

To add one more, there are also Neonatal Nurse Practitioners who specialize in the care of sick and/or premature babies and are seen in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in the hospital setting.

Breh_118 · Nov 25, 2015

To add one more, there are also Neonatal Nurse Practitioners who specialize in the care of sick and/or premature babies and are seen in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in the hospital setting.

Yea. I've heard about that speciality somewhere. Might look into it