PNP or FNP?

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Oct 12, 2011

As an FNP, I see all ages in my practice. Newborns to old folks, even prenatal care and women's health.

tryingtohaveitall · Oct 13, 2011

As a 22 year pediatric nurse, I am only interested in being a PNP.

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Oct 13, 2011

OK???

As a 22 year pediatric nurse, I am only interested in being a PNP.

tryingtohaveitall · Oct 14, 2011

I was explaining how I made my decision. Sorry, I didn't have a lot of time to write a dissertation. If she is interested in serving both children and adults, I would recommend she become an FNP, if she prefers to work exclusively with children, PNP. Is that better?

Annaiya, NP · Oct 14, 2011

I work for a stand alone children's hospital and they only hire PNPs (both in the hospital and in their clinics). If kids is all you want to do then go for PNP or you will limit your job opportunities.

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Oct 14, 2011

I disagree. Basing the "limit your job opportunities" on your experience at ONE hospital?

Having the FNP makes you much MORE marketable overall.

I work for a stand alone children's hospital and they only hire PNPs (both in the hospital and in their clinics). If kids is all you want to do then go for PNP or you will limit your job opportunities.

Annaiya, NP · Oct 15, 2011

No, only if you want to do adults too. If you only want to do kids, an FNP could limit your options more. I don't need a survey of all facilities to know that. A pediatric only clinic is not going to disregard an application from a PNP, whereas they might from an FNP. I am aware that there are family practice clinics that see a lot of kids who might not hire a PNP, but if that isn't what you want to do then it doesn't make sense to get that degree. I completely disagree with the widely stated opinion that everyone should get an FNP "because it is more marketable." A person should specialize in the area that they want to practice in, or they will be limiting their knowledge in that area, and therefore their marketability.

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Oct 15, 2011

No offense meant but when you get more than 1 years experience and also become a NP, you might have a better perspective.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 15, 2011

Hey guys, let's not get into a "pi*****" contest about this. Obviously, hiring preferences vary from region to region. We need to let the OP know what the situation is in our regions and let her make her own decision about what is best for her.

I am not an NP, but I am in a leadership position and involved in the hiring discussions at the children's hospital where I work and work closely with several NP's. Most of the people who get hired here have PNP's, not FNP's (both types of education are readily available in my community.) We are looking for peds specialists ... not generalists who have done a little peds. We are a children's hospital.

Also very important for the OP to consider: How is pediatric care delivered in your region? In my region, most pediatric care is provided by pediatricians in group practices. Most families take their little kids to pediatricians ... and the physicians specializing in family practice see mostly adults and teenagers (teens who moved to town when they were old enough that their families decided not to establish a relationship with a pediatrician.)

If you want to work for a physician's practice, then you really need to look at the types of practices in your local physicians. Is there a split like there is in my area ... or do the local family practitioners see a lot of peds patients? If most of the kids are being seen in "family practice" clinics ... and that's the kind of job you want ... you might be better off getting an FNP. However, if you live in an area in which the family practices see mostly adults while most of the kids go to exclusively pediatric practices, you would be better off with a PNP. What is the situation in your area? That is the key.

I suggest you do a little research into your local job market and find out what the situation is your area. It varies so dramatically throughout the country that you are going to have to base your decision on your personal location and situation.

I hope I have given you some things to think about ... and questions to ask as you consider your choices. Are you interested in working with adults as well as children? What kinds of jobs interest you? What opportunities for employment are available where you live? You need specific answers to those questions. That national picture will not help you all that much -- though you should explore the national scene a bit so that you are knowledgable about the major trends that might be affecting your area in the future.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 15, 2011

Hey guys, let's not get into a "pi*****" contest about this. Obviously, hiring preferences vary from region to region. We need to let the OP know what the situation is in our regions and let her make her own decision about what is best for her.
I am not an NP, but I am in a leadership position and involved in the hiring discussions at the children's hospital where I work and work closely with several NP's. Most of the people who get hired here have PNP's, not FNP's (both types of education are readily available in my community.) We are looking for peds specialists ... not generalists who have done a little peds. We are a children's hospital.
Also very important for the OP to consider: How is pediatric care delivered in your region? In my region, most pediatric care is provided by pediatricians in group practices. Most families take their little kids to pediatricians ... and the physicians specializing in family practice see mostly adults and teenagers (teens who moved to town when they were old enough that their families decided not to establish a relationship with a pediatrician.)
If you want to work for a physician's practice, then you really need to look at the types of practices in your local physicians. Is there a split like there is in my area ... or do the local family practitioners see a lot of peds patients? If most of the kids are being seen in "family practice" clinics ... and that's the kind of job you want ... you might be better off getting an FNP. However, if you live in an area in which the family practices see mostly adults while most of the kids go to exclusively pediatric practices, you would be better off with a PNP. What is the situation in your area? That is the key.
I suggest you do a little research into your local job market and find out what the situation is your area. It varies so dramatically throughout the country that you are going to have to base your decision on your personal location and situation.
I hope I have given you some things to think about ... and questions to ask as you consider your choices. Are you interested in working with adults as well as children? What kinds of jobs interest you? What opportunities for employment are available where you live? You need specific answers to those questions. That national picture will not help you all that much -- though you should explore the national scene a bit so that you are knowledgable about the major trends that might be affecting your area in the future.

you are the voice of reason.

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2011

IIg, I totally agree with you. You made some very good points. Most parents in my area take their children to pediatricians as well. I really think we need to get away from the "FNP can do anything or you're limiting yourself unless you become a FNP" mantra. The odd thing is no one tells med students they are limiting themselves by choosing a specialty.

I know that I enjoy caring for critically ill patients so why would I choose a program that focuses on primary care when there are programs available to train me to care for critically ill patients? I would encourage the OP to follow her passion. What good will it do her to study FNP to be more marketable when she knows she wants to work with kids and there are plenty of pediatric NP programs available to train her to do so?