Scope of FNPs

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 26, 2006

hello, nycnurse2b,

i would think so, yes. as a women's health np (whnp) you would only be able to do women's health including l&d, post-partum, etc. and, immediate care of the infant. not peds and not specialty as nicu np (geared more to the neonatal np - nnp).

i was ob-gyn np and then did the fnp so i could do the entire age range. the extra cert in the former really enabled me to do ob with ease.

if you are wanting to do ob and peds, i suggest fnp and possibly doing a whnp as well. also, you might consider pediatric np (pnp) and whnp. just bear in mind with the latter, you would not be able to see adults except women.

lots to consider, i know. you will need to do what is right for you and where your interests lie.

good luck.

nycNurse2b · Apr 26, 2006

Siri -

Thank you so much for the input.

Pediatric NP & WHNP intrigues me. Are there "dual" programs or would i essentially be going thru two full programs?

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 26, 2006

nycNurse2b
Siri -
Thank you so much for the input.
Pediatric NP & WHNP intrigues me. Are there "dual" programs or would i essentially be going thru two full programs?

I kinda figured you would ask that question;)

I don't think there are. But, I'm not the authority on this. I would think you would need to do both certs. Sorry I can't help you with this.

nycNurse2b · Apr 26, 2006

LOL. THanks Siri, for your help.

Maybe someone out there knows the answer. Thanks again.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 26, 2006

You are very welcome. Good luck in your future program and career as an advanced practice nurse.:balloons:

patnshan · Apr 26, 2006

LOL. THanks Siri, for your help.
Maybe someone out there knows the answer. Thanks again.

Looks like vanderbilt has a few dual programs

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/siteindex.html

Good luck!

Pat

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 26, 2006

Looks like vanderbilt has a few dual programs
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/siteindex.html
Good luck!
Pat

Yes, Vandy is an excellent program with dual certs, but not as PNP/WHNP.

Nurse2bMelanie · Apr 26, 2006

there is a school here in Eastern Kentucky which offers a very traditional midwife program, but its based on a distance education setup. It was founded by Mary Breckinridge who was a fore runner in womens health. You could check it out.

http://www.midwives.org

I think you have to come here for like a week or two in the beginning and you do everything else entirely in your community. And this is a beautiful area!

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 27, 2006

Also check with the state you plan to practice in - for instance - in Texas - an FNP can't deliver babies so if you are wanting to do that as part of your practice, that is a whole OTHER thing! Nurse Midwife specifically.

danceluver · Oct 26, 2011

wanted to revive this old thread, anyone go whnp/pnp? I think it would be an excellent cert to have if one is not interested in seeing adult men. Can anyone comment on the value of this, any programs that likely offer this, or even doing a post masters in one. Is it worth it?

ivanh3 · Nov 4, 2011

You get the most mileage with an FNP cert. I have seen FNPs work in primary care, critical care, ERs, PICUs, and yes NICUs. In the last city I lived in many FNPs also worked solely in women's health. A lot of times it depends on the availability of specialty programs in your area. One NNP told me she had never heard of an FNP or PNP working in the NICU. Where I worked they were all FNPs or PNPs except for one NNP, and that is because there were no NNP or peds acute care programs around.

Ivan