nnp07

APN's are Advanced Practice Nurse's including all NP's. As a NNP, I am a APN, however as you mentioned most NNP programs focus on education/clinical experiences of the preterm infant through the age of 2. According to the Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation, an APN is an APN. If one is credentialed as a NP, they can then apply for their APN license, and can then practice as an APN in most fields as long as they have had clinical experiences and/or education. I did notice the NNP position in Peoria. I've heard its a great hospital, but too far from where I will be living. I've decided to hold out for a NNP position, which is my true passion, and why I went back to graduate school.

I was hoping to get some insight..... I'm a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner l(MSN) looking for a job in Illinois. It's been suggested I should apply for this position that I do find rather interesting PICU Neurology APN. The position involves working with the Neurointensivist (willing to train) I have searched the http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/apply/apn.asp website to see if it would be in my scope of practice. As most NNP programs focus on newborns to age 2. I have basically found no discrimation between APN's/NP's. Does anyone know Illinois practice regulations in regards to education?

Dukes PNP program is aimed at rural pediatrics/primary care. They do have an Acute care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program as well that is aimed at PICU care. I am not sure if they will do the dual NNP/PNP-AC. Something to look into. There are many other programs that offer the dual NNP/PNP programs - as I looked into this years ago. Good luck.

Hope your first day went well! I remember being extremely nervous and feeling as if I knew nothing at the end of my first day. As did the rest of my orientation buddies. It is a transition from nursing school, and nursing school was your foundation, but now it's really time to learn about neonates. You will be doing this throughout your orientation, and throughout your YEARS as a NICU RN. Congrats!

Hello. I too am a NICU nurse and I just finished my NNP training. Of course when making the decision of programs, I chose my true passion. I was initially enrolled in the NNP/PNP program but my program ended up dropping the NNP portion. I ended up doing a year of the PNP and realizing I wanted to transfer to a NNP program. Funny thing is, prior to graduating I was already talking about doing a post grad certificate in PNP. When looking at jobs in my area I noticed there were not many PNP positions, but MANY NNP positions. Well now I am moving to a large city, and there are fewer NNP positions, and many PNP positions. Definetly think about work hours, environment, and marketability when making your decision. I know there were some programs doing dual FNP/WHNP - not sure if they are doing this near you?