PNP or FNP for increased job opportunities?

Specialties NP

Published

Ok, I have applied for the University of South Alabama for their PNP-PC program and I really have only ever done Peds. I absolutely know that I don't want to do adults. I keep being told that I really need to do the FNP program because by only doing PNP I am severly restricting my job opportunities after graduation. I was told the same thing when graduating nursing school, that I should work on a Medicine unit for at least a year then transfer to a more specialized area. I NEVER worked on a Medicine or Telemetry unit and don't have the desire to. My location is south Louisiana. What are your thoughts as far as finding a PNP position in this area pretty easily after graduation? Thanks in advance for your input.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Well I did have the same training as the primary care PNPs in my program because I took all the same classes as they did. I cannot speak on WHNP education, but I have an FNP friend who works at an ob/gyn office along with WHNPs and does all of the same things such as paps, contraceptive rx, contraceptive insertions (IUD, implanon), prenatal care, and fertility counseling. When it comes to FNPs, PNPs, and ANPs the main difference is age range. There are also differences when it comes patient acuity scopes (primary vs acute care). I never said FNP education is the same as all other APN specialties. FNP education isn't "basically the same" as other APNs such as CRNAs or NMWs. However, when it comes to primary care FNPs and primary care PNPs the training is exactly the same. When I finished my program I was working in a primary care peds clinic with other PNPs (and FNPs :yes:) and performed the same tasks that they did. I was only there a two months though because I wanted to work inpatient peds which is where I am now. I also looked at your profile IrishIzRN and it doesn't list you as a NP so I'm unsure of your understanding of all types of NPs, where they can practice, and what they can do. Finally, in regards to your kids, it's your right to take them to the provider you feel is best.[/quote']

I have an acute understanding of NPs.

So you got all the same pediatric training during your FNP school as the PNPs? So was your program longer? Do FNPs have to learn faster? Seriously. It isn't that FNPs aren't qualified to care for peds. It is ridiculous to say they receive the same training. The FNP program and PNP program at my school are only off in length by 1 quarter. The FNP learns the basics of the ped population. There is no way they are getting all the information the PNP student is getting. It doesn't make sense. That would mean all their quarters are the same as the PNP until the fnp's last quarter. Um...no.

It isn't the same. It is different. It is an overview of peds. 1 quarter or semester of peds clinicals isn't the same as 4-5 quarters of seeing everyone and anyone who walks through the door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I have an acute understanding of NPs.
m

Obviously you know more than we do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatics, Family Practice.
I have an acute understanding of NPs.

So you got all the same pediatric training during your FNP school as the PNPs? So was your program longer? Do FNPs have to learn faster? Seriously. It isn't that FNPs aren't qualified to care for peds. It is ridiculous to say they receive the same training. The FNP program and PNP program at my school are only off in length by 1 quarter. The FNP learns the basics of the ped population. There is no way they are getting all the information the PNP student is getting. It doesn't make sense. That would mean all their quarters are the same as the PNP until the fnp's last quarter. Um...no.

It isn't the same. It is different. It is an overview of peds. 1 quarter or semester of peds clinicals isn't the same as 4-5 quarters of seeing everyone and anyone who walks through the door.

No our programs were the same length, during the semesters where we took out adult classes the PNPs had research, policy, and practicums. It's ridiculous that your still saying the education is different when I'm telling you we took the same pediatric courses. You can stay in denial if you wish for the sake of "being right", but the bottom line is that the education is the same. There is no use going back in forth on this, since you truly believe this. If the OP has no desire to care for adults then the PNP route is for her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
No our programs were the same lengths, during the semesters where we took out adult classes the PNPs had research, policy, and practicums. It's ridiculous that your still saying the education is different when I'm telling you we took the same pediatric courses. You can stay in denial if you wish for the sake of "being right", but the bottom line is that the education is the same. There is no use going back in forth on this, since you truly believe this. No more posts from me on this thread. If the OP has no desire to care for adults then the PNP route is for her.

Well I can tell you that in my school the PNP and FNP students all had the same classes in the beginning. A while into the program we branch out and the rest of our program is specific to you population. So the PNP students have about 4 quarters of peds specific classes. The FNP students have 5 quarters of their specific stuff...and 4 of those quarters aren't for peds.

So I am not in denial at all and quite frankly I believe you are in denial. So you didn't take classes on research and policy? Our FNP students did...with the PNPs.

So maybe in some place it is the same (apparently at the cost of the FNP student not having research and policy since the programs are the same length)...but not at many schools where the FNP focuses on the ped population directly for 1 quarter/semester.

So you can believe you are right...doesn't make you right. So throw it back at me all you want...I know for a FACT that my FNP friends at my school are NOT spending the same amount of time on peds specific stuff as the PNP students. They would laugh if I said we had the same education as far as pediatrics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
m

Obviously you know more than we do.

Never said that but I am not lacking in knowledge about NPs. No reason to believe I know more or you know more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Never said that but I am not lacking in knowledge about NPs. No reason to believe I know more or you know more.

You honestly don't think there is a reason one might know more than the other?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
You honestly don't think there is a reason one might know more than the other?

You honestly believe your word is gospel for everything?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
You honestly believe your word is gospel for everything?

Gospel? No. By my word has perspective.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Gospel? No. By my word has perspective.

It isn't the only one...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU.

So I am a PNP and yes of course my program spent more time in pediatrics than the FNP program. My top rate children's hospital as well as the other children's hospitals near me are requiring their FNPs and primary care PNPs to return to school for their acute care PNP post-masters' certificates. So to the OP, if peds is what you want and you aren't interested in working with adults, go for your PNP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here is the PNP curriculum at Columbia University:

N6100Advanced Physiology3Core

N6611Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan for PNP students3Specialty

N6826Evaluation and Application of Research3Core

Fall I: 12 Credits

N6620Pediatric Primary Care Nursing I3Specialty

N6622Pediatric Primary Care Nursing I: Clinical2Specialty

N6624Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care I1Specialty

N6920Health and Social Policy: The Context for Practice and Research3Core

N8661Advanced Pediatric and Neonatal Pharmacology3Specialty

Spring I: 10 Credits

N6122Pathophysiology of Child3Specialty

N6625Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care II1Specialty

N6630Pediatric Primary Care Nursing II2Specialty

N6632Clinical Practicum: Pediatric Primary Care Nursing II4Specialty

Summer II: 5 Credits

N6638Emergency Pediatric Nursing1Specialty

N6930Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Health Care Professionals1Specialty

N6940Management and Advanced Practice Nursing1Specialty

N8673Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III: Clinical2Specialty

Fall II: 9 Credits

N6626Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care III1Specialty

N8290Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice3Core

N8670Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III2Specialty

N8674Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III3Specialty

Total Credits

Here is the FNP program:

N6920Health and Social Policy: The Context for Practice and Research3Core

N8102Advanced Pharmacology3Core

N8548Normal Antepartum for Family Primary Care1Specialty

Fall I: 13 Credits

N6100Advanced Physiology3Core

N6826Evaluation and Application of Research3Core

N8557Family Primary Care I2Specialty

N8568Practicum in Advanced Clinical Assessment for Family Nurse Practitioners2Specialty

N8786Advanced Clinical Assessment Across the Lifespan3Specialty

Spring I: 14 Credits

N6121Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan3Core

N8545Diagnosis and Management of Illness in Families I4Specialty

N8558Family Primary Care II2Specialty

N8560 (Family)Family Theory in Context3Specialty

N8693Family Primary Care: Practicum IIA2Specialty

Summer II: 6 Credits

N6930Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Health Care Professionals1Core

N6940Management and Advanced Practice Nursing1Core

N8566Family Primary Care: Practicum IIIA2Specialty

N8795Family Primary Care: Practicum IIB2Specialty

Fall II: 10 Credits

N8290Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice3Core

N8546Diagnosis and Management of Illness in Families II3Specialty

N8559Family Primary Care III2Specialty

N8567Family Primary Care: Practicum IIIB2Specialty

Total Credits

I do see a number of overlapping courses, but I also see many PNP specific courses...for example, only the PNPs take Emergency Pediatrics, Pathophysiology of the child, and neonatal pharmacology.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

All those unique to the PNP program are included in the FNP program under different titles. Obviously FNP doesn't have a specific patho for kids only, it is a patho across the lifespan, etc.

PNPs get more experience in pediatrics (in general), no one is debating that. The truth is that a novice NP is a novice NP and both PNP and FNP are adequately prepared for entry to practice in this regard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment