fenix

Hi, I'm working in the southeast at a larger hospital and what I've seen around here is that if you want to work in an urgent care or minute clinic type set up, they hire FNPs & PAs because you need to be able to see all ages. Hospitalist around here are a mix of PA, FNP, and ACNP. I see more PAs working in the hospital in specialty groups and some FNP as well. The problem with APRN in the hospital is that certifications are focused on age and that does not work well for some of the specialty groups such as ortho or neuro who need to be able to care for all ages. Yes there are specific peds neuro surgeons and orthopedist, but you never know what's coming in when you're the one on call. I do see ACNP in critical care (Internal Med/Intensivist group) and some with Trauma. Though I would think Trauma could cause problems for the ACNP when children come in. Not sure how they handle that within the group. PAs seemed to be preferred in the hospital due in part to their training in inpatient/outpatient/surgery/some specialty exposures. It's one stop shopping hiring a PA. NPs are very nuanced and divided into so many smaller subspecialties and scope limiting practices (in comparison to PAs) it significantly limits options. I think it also confuses docs and hiring managers on what the certifications mean and who they can hire.

I did not go to a live review. I took AANP (7/2014) and passed on first attempt. I did buy Barkley's CD and book, which is a recording of a live review. I like this format because it allowed me to stop the lecture and take notes or rewind and listen to a section again if I missed something. I also used Leik, but did not finish that book. Barkley's was my primary resource. Good Luck!

I would love to know what state this is too! For those who are curious about the scope in other states, there's a book written by Carolyn Buppert, Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide, that can probably answer a lot of your questions. It is a textbook in my FNP program and I find it very interesting to compare the states. In several sections of the book, she lists each states and details how whatever topic that particular chapter is about applies. And amazingly it is not "heavy" reading, quick and easily comprehensible.

I'm about to finish up the RN to BSN program at JU. Yes, the cost is $410 a credit hour. I would recomend looking at junior/community colleges for the general education requirements. I was able to find all the ge classes I needed online for a fraction of the cost ($115). Just make sure you get prior approval from your advisor that the classes will transfer. The only classes I took at JU were NUR. Good luck!