Online FNP with focus on HIV/AIDS care

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Hi all,

Does anyone know of an online-based FNP program with a specialty focus in HIV/AIDS care? I know some programs allow you to specialize your curriculum to an area of interest, but I'm looking for an FNP program with a STRONG focus on HIV/AIDS primary care, and it has to be mostly web-based, as I'm based in NYC for the next few years at least.

Any info you guys have would be appreciated!

SteveNNP

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

So Steve are you looking for something like a post-MSN FNP?

Don't know of any that are strongly HIV/AIDs-based. However, you usually just tailor your clinicals to your area of interest.

I would think in NY that it would be an ideal environment to get this type of clinicals. Now in rural IL, not so much - lol.

Good luck - sounds very interesting.

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HIV/AIDS is definitely a tough disease to learn about - something physicians do entire fellowships on to learn how to expertly treat. The pathophys/life cycle of HIV is complex. There are so many opportunistic infections to be cautious of and antiretroviral medications. Not to discourage but good luck! p.s. out of curiousity, is there a particular reason you have an interest in HIV?

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I am currently working on my CNS and would love to specialize in HIV/AIDS and infections in general. The reason: Would love to work for WHO or UNESCO.

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HIV/AIDS is definitely a tough disease to learn about - something physicians do entire fellowships on to learn how to expertly treat. The pathophys/life cycle of HIV is complex. There are so many opportunistic infections to be cautious of and antiretroviral medications. Not to discourage but good luck! p.s. out of curiousity, is there a particular reason you have an interest in HIV?

Many, many NP's can and do specialize in HIV. I don't know of any programs that are that specialized and online. I focused my clinicals on HIV and took advantage of my region's AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC). They sponsored excellent seminars such as Adult HIV Care for Newer Clinicians.

It should be said, though, that a lot of us don't do only HIV. It's HIV and primary care. Whatever program you choose needs to have a strong primary care foundation.

I thought you were in love with the NICU? Pondering a change?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Our HIV/AIDS clinic here in central IL handles ID as well as the AIDS Clinic. I got involved because several of my end stage renal disease pts have HIV as a co-morbid condition.

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@SteveNNP, Hunter in nyc also has an HIV/AIDS care subspecialty.

I have found that Columbia, UCSF, and Hunter are the only schools to offer HIV as an official focus in MSN programs. Has anyone found any others?

I am about to start a second degree BSN program and then I will be applying to schools for MSN. Right now I work as a medical case manager in a clinic with many positive patients and I would love to be prepared to see HIV+ patients as a future NP.

I was surprised to only find three programs with this focus...am I wrong?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Thanks for the great info and advice, everyone!

No, I'm still in love with NICU.. In fact, I'm only a few months into my new NNP role. And still loving it.

I am looking ahead, I guess. My hospital offers a pretty hefty tuition reimbursement program, and I want to take advantage of that while I am here in NYC. The program at Columbia is simply a subspecialty, and doesn't confer another MSN degree. The problem I have with that, is that I am currently limited to caring for children ages 0-2 with my NNP training, and adding a subspecialty wouldn't extend my scope of practice without additional NP training.

I've always had a special place in my heart for HIV/AIDS care. Some of my fondest clinical memories were at the HIV clinic I spent a few weeks at during nursing school. I'm currently volunteering as an intake clinician at GMHC here in NYC, and enjoy it. Also just finished a book called "The Band Played On" by Randy Shilts. A chilling and fascinating book about the history of the AIDS epidemic, from its jump from simian to human up until the book was written in the late 80s.

It hurts me to know that there are tens of millions of people living with/dying of HIV/AIDS worldwide. And that there is no cure. Babies are still getting it. Women are now the fastest growing segment of the population who are contracting it, powerless to control their exposure in many cases. I want to do something about it.

HIV is a fascinating virus from a scientific standpoint. It intrigues me :)

I don't plan on leaving behind my babies in NICU. Tried that once, and it didn't last. I do, however want to expand my scope of practice to be able to add in some time caring for those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as expand my scientific knowledge about the disease.

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Gotta say, I love that book too! Whenever I'm feeling down or discouraged I pick it up again. Love your enthusiasm for HIV care.

If you want to test the waters you might try contacting your local Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) chapter. There are members of our chapter who join us in advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS but who work primarily in other specialties. It's also great networking.

Home - Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

Good luck!

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