Palliative Care NP - which route do I go?

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I currently have my BSN and want to go back to school. I've been working as a bedside RN in IMC/ICU for 3 years. I want to ultimately do palliative/hospice care but am unsure which route I should take in pursuing my NP. FNP seems like the best choice so far but I don't really like pediatrics. I'm afraid if I specialize in geriatrics that I will be limited. I also could see myself continuing to work in the hospital setting - can palliative care NP with a FNP work in the acute care setting? Or do you need to be an acute care NP?

Badically, I want to be a palliative care NP - working in the hospital setting or outpatient but unsure which course to take. Please help! I will be pursuing this In Pennsylvania if that makes any difference

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com, Ccrn090

We moved your thread to the Student NP forum where students as well as seasoned NPs will reply.

Good luck with your plans.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

University of South Alabama offers a Palliative Care sub-specialty for the ACNP, FNP, dual track (ACNP/FNP), AGNP, & AG-CNS. Adding the palliative sub-specialty adds another 180 clinical hours and 4 courses (3 didactic & 1 practicum) to your NP course load.

Here is a link to the specialty: Palliative Care Subspecialty

There is also a direct e-mail link to the program coordinator for this specialty. She's very responsive to inquiries about this specialty. I had considered it since I am doing the dual track. It certainly does fulfill a much-needed niche.

As far as which specialty to pursue, that would be dependent upon your job market, and where you interest lies. Obtaining your FNP doesn't mean you *have* to see peds patients. It simply means you're certified to treat them, should the situation arise. If you truly want to work on adults only, the AGNP still allows you to treat adolescents and older (usually age 13 and up).

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My hospital system has 2 APPs on the palliative care team and they are both ACNP - for what it's worth.

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