The difference between APN and FNP in NEW Jersey

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

I have read many threads regarding the advanced nurse practitioner track and the family nurse practitioner track. I am a newly graduated nurse with a BSN and I have been an operating room nurse for 2 years. I look forward to starting a MSN program soon. I really want to become a nurse practitioner but I am becoming increasingly confused about which track to take. I have researched and I am coming to learn that it depends what area you live in. Many states thrive with the use of FNP's and encourage that track for the experience of being able to work with children of all ages. With this in mind, a FNP doesn't practice in hospitals, only clinics. With the APN, you can work in hospitals, you just cannot work with children. I want to be able to work in hospitals so I would go for the APN track. I am not sure if this is the best choice. Also when I job search in NJ, I only see jobs for APN's. I am confused. Any insight? Does one track lead to better opportunities than the other, does one pay more. Can I do APN and then take a post-master's degree in children to make myself more marketable and eligible for jobs on both ends of the spectrum?

HELP>

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Specializes in Mental Health.

APN is just another term for NP. All FNPs are APNs. Not all APNs are FNPs.

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Specializes in PICU.

Do you mean acute care NP?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Check your abbreviations and let us know what you mean:

APN = advanced practice nurse (includes all NPs, CRNAs, CNSs)

FNP = family nurse practitioner (NP track)

ANP = adult nurse practitioner (NP track)

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

Sorry, didnt realize I mixed up the abbreviations.... Yes I meant the ANP track, adult nurse practitioner. Just trying to figure out which track is better as far as obtaining jobs.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Sorry didnt realize I mixed up the abbreviations.... Yes I meant the ANP track, adult nurse practitioner. Just trying to figure out which track is better as far as obtaining jobs.[/quote']

ANP is being retired. All the new programs should be AGNP programs.

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

So to clarify, the Family Nurse Practitioner will allow you to care for patients of all ages and will benefit you when trying to apply for a job.

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So to clarify, the Family Nurse Practitioner will allow you to care for patients of all ages and will benefit you when trying to apply for a job.

From cradle to grave per the brochure ....however, your individual results may vary.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

However, don't forget the consensus model. For now, in most states, if you are an FNP you can work inpt or outpt but please be mindful that most if not all of your clinical time for FNP will be outpt. If you wish to work inpt, AGACNP is the way to go.

Lots of decisions to make.

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However, don't forget the consensus model. For now, in most states, if you are an FNP you can work inpt or outpt but please be mindful that most if not all of your clinical time for FNP will be outpt. If you wish to work inpt, AGACNP is the way to go.

Lots of decisions to make.

The consensus model sort of died and has not taken hold as was promised.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

True but it has been passed in several states where (unfortunately) it has taken hold.

And...FNP clinicals are now supposed to be outpt only, no in-pt care at all. I was enrolled in an FNP program in 2014 and dropped out as I was seeing pts in-pt as well as outpt and was told that the FNP clinicals would all need to be outpt and after hearing that, there was no need for me to complete the FNP. The adult CNS as well as the Peds CNS certs that I hold both contained clinicals in-pt in acute (ICU and ER) settings as well as outpt primary and specialty care.

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