abass211

Thanks so much for your help. I have been playing phone tag with GCU. Waiting on a callback from tucson staff. staff i have talked to in GCU really don't know because it is a new cohort program. so i have to wait for this one lady to call back and she hasn't been the most pro-active. do you like the program through GCU?? I looked into university of phoenix program in tucson for fnp. having another option would be nice. thanks very much for your help :) amber

thank you very much for your help.

I didn't think there was a certification either. Thanks for your input.

Heather - I heard this from a friend who just graduated from ACNP @ jefferson in philly. From what he said it has always been the practice for maryland. But is now going to start being implemented for PA and NJ.

I heard today that MD/PA/NJ have passed a new law that states that a NP must practice in the field they are certified in. Meaning that if you obtain an FNP you must work in family medicine, i.e. not in the hospital/ER, etc. Has anyone else heard this or knows if other states are changing the NP laws. Or where I can go to find out more information on this - what each states regulations are?? Was thinking about going back for FNP, however if I would not be able to work in an ER and limited to a a doctors office, this could be a big hiccup. Thanks :)

Hello everyone, I heard from an ANP today that there is a "critical care certification" that can be taken after you complete your masters. She said that it is just an exam and no additional classes necessary. Can anyone shed some light on this, or have an idea of where i can find out more information on it. Thank you very much!!

I am in the exact same boat as you - even down to ER/trauma center. I can't give you many specifics. but this is what i have heard so far. pa vs. np - pa school is more medical based and more clinical hours. almost impossible to attend and work because it can't be done part time. pa and nps vary per area/hospital/groups. in my ER our doctors are outsourced and the group only hires PAs. plus it is a teaching hospital so we have all the residents as well. as for other specialties, i think it varies per hospital/group. my hospital we have nps in all those fields however the residents do all the fun stuff and the np/pas follow-up or are there for back up. some are present primarily in ortho, trauma, cards - but i don't think either pa/nps are doing big surgeries. as for fnp. acnp - can't treat adults because you have to choice adult or pediatric acnp. fnp is the only np that can treat everyone. i've been told fnp give you the most broad certification. if you know you never want to work with kids then consider anp or acnp. however if you are thinking ER/Clinic/doc in a box, think twice because they see kids. and if you only have acnp you will not be able to see them. i am leaning toward a fnp program. just talked to an anp today with cards and she said you can get a "critical care." certification after and its no additional classes, just an exam. i still have to research this, but something else to consider as a possibility. hope this helps some. its so confusing (to me atleast)

Thank you all for your information. I have been looking into many different schools and have been leaning toward fnp. I would love to get the trainjng that come with the acnp. However not being able to treat kids is a big downfall and I'm afraid I wont be marketable. Just looking for all areas of input because the er I work in is a level one traumas center n a teaching hospital. So residents are mostly used for procedures. Also the er docs are outsource by a group and that groups policy does not hire nps. They only hire pas. So just wanted to see how how other ers function. I love the er n trauma drama however I can't do this job forever. I want a more normal job as I get older n have kids. Thanks again.

Looked into the grand canyon university at Tucson and they said only for student who are not currently an RN. Any one else have another suggestions. Thanks.

That sounds great. Thank you so much for your help. The only thing I found was the DNP programs. I just don't have the money for that or the ability to go for 7 years right now.

Thank you very much for your insight !!

Hello everyone! Looking for some information regarding NP and CNS. Trying to decide the best course to take. I have heard that they are pretty much the same and that CNS can prescribe once you get a license to prescribe. Also heard that if you don't work as an NP your license can be revoked. Also seems like CNS are being weeded out, is this the cases. I currently work at a level one trauma center in there ER. I would like to continue on as an ACNP or CNS. At this time I'm on the fence what to do. I still love the the trauma drama and dont want to give that up quite yet, but know I can't work that lifestyle as I get older and have kids. I think I would like to do some teaching in the clinical setting then as I get older maybe head into a hospitalist group or doctors office. If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it. To me the whole masters programs is a mystery in differentiating between. Thank you very much!!!!!! Amber

Hey Everyone! I will be relocating to the Sierra Vista area and I am looking for some information on graduate school. I am looking to go back to grad school, most likely Nurse Practitioner, possible masters in education or clin spec. Wondering if anyone has any information on local programs or online programs in the area. Thank you very much!!