Why not get FNP & ACNP at same time???

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.

This is probably a stupid question, but...

It seems difficult for me to make up my mind. Do I want to work in an FP setting or be an NP hospitalist. Why doesn't one just study both in school (ie get the FNP degree and ACNP cert, or vice versa)? Is this possible/worth it?

What do you think?

CrazyPremed

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Many FNP's work in AC settings - does your state require the AC education track specifically?

As an ACNP you could not do FP in all likelihood - again depending on your state.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

I'm doing both at the same time. It's going to take me longer to finish, approx 9 months longer. After looking at both I found things that I both liked and disliked about them.

My biggest concern is maintaining cert when I get out into practice. I plan on spending most of my time in ER or as hospitalist/intinsivist with only a small part of my practice being FP.

Plus I"m looking forward to twice the amount of clinical. :)

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

I have wondered the exact same thing. Im definitely interested in hearing what others have to say about this.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.

:wink2: bump

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I'm not ACNP. But, dual cert - OB/GYN and FNP.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.
I'm not ACNP. But, dual cert - OB/GYN and FNP.

Did you have to obtain a certificate/take extra classes in OB? I know of Adult/FNP/PNP/Acute care, but I haven't seen an OB/GYN certificate or program in the schools in my area. Is it considered part of Adult NP? Thanks!

CrazyPremed

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I did a 4 year full-time preceptorship with an OB doc, then a 6 month intense OB/GYN NP course. Afterwards, sat for natl. boards for certification as OB/GYN NP. This avenue is no longer available.

Later, received MSN and did post grad certificate as FNP.

There are programs that offer combined Woman's Health/FNP. Not sure where you are located so cannot advise you on that.

Emory, Vanderbilt, and, Columbia University have dual Woman's Health -Adult/Family NP programs. There are others, but these are off the top of my head.

Here is a link for graduate nursing programs in the U.S.

http://www.gradschools.com/programs/nursing.html

And, you can check at www.allnursingschools.com

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.
I'm doing both at the same time. It's going to take me longer to finish, approx 9 months longer. After looking at both I found things that I both liked and disliked about them.

Craig,

Thanks for the reply. I ask because - even though I'm at the beginning of my nursing career - I want to have as many options available as possible. I live in an area that will probably start encouraging NP's to specialize. Almost all of the inpatient NP jobs postings require the ACNP, while the clinics want FNP's or Adult NP's. The schools in the area offer both as the master's and post master's certificates. I'd assume that one would be more marketable if he/she pursued both. I wondered if any one has.

Realistically, I'll probably make my decision as I gain more nursing experience. We'll see what happens.

Anyone else take the dual route?

CrazyPremed

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Specializes in Acute Care - Cardiology.

Hey there,

The most common way of getting both is in this manner:

1. Choose one - if you choose FNP first, you can get post-master's certificate in ACNP.

The problem lies in clinical time if you were to try and do both. All of the prerequisites are the same... the difference lies in the last year or so of school. I am doing an ACNP program right now.

Despite what people will tell you... I dont know what state you are in... but FNPs are NOT trained for inpatient care. I have talked with the president of the BNE and also went to a seminar where this was discussed in depth, with GREAT controversy. They say that the way FNPs are getting around it is by taking care of MED SURG only patients... as if they were in the clinic. From what the regulating boards have said, they will be reassessing FNPs as inpatient caregivers and not allow them to continue without getting ACNP cert.

I am also interested in the ACNP as hospitalist role. However, I am worried because the hospital I want to work for does not employee NPs in that role at the present time... mostly because the hospitalist role is still new. They are still trying to figure out what they are capable of, etc. So, for an NP to come in and try to do that will take some work. I have an advantage in pursuing this in that I will get to help design the job description, pay, scope, etc... but the doctor that is over the hospitalist group I want to work for said it will be an uphill climb... but it can be done. I'm hoping to talk with larger hospitals regarding their use of NPs in the hospitalist role, job descriptions, develop a portfolio type of presentation to give to the hospital board, keep a log of all my clinical experiences to support my abilities, and just see what happens...

I think I'll start a thread about this... I ended up getting WAY off track. :)

Back to the topic: I have been an ER RN most of my career and may end up reverting back to that when I am done with school if my other plan doesnt work out... but to get the most use out of that position, I will have to do one of three things... 1) Get my post masters FNP, 2) Get my post masters PNP (to care for pts under 12), or 3) Get my ENP - this is probably what I would do. This is not a certificate program... you sit for the ACNP board when you are done (which I would have already done), but you are trained ONLY for working in the ER, so I would have both ACNP and ENP... which would give me the lifespan courses I'd need to be in the ER.

Lots of options... its just tough because you have to pick... I still wonder if maybe I should have gone FNP and then post masters ACNP, but I'd rather just do ACNP and see what happens. I know what I am capable of... its just convincing everyone else... :)

Good luck!

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.

Daisy,

Thanks for the post!!

CrazyPremed

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http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/fnpacnpec.html

Vanderbilt has (new?) program that does just that. It combines FNP and ACNP and offers classes geared towards Emergency Care. The rationale is that a) more and more ER cases are what we used to see in primary care and b) an ACNP is limited to adults whereas an FNP can care for peds as well.

I'm considering this. I want to be a mid-level and practice in ER/Trauma/ICU. I was originally planning on the PA route (in my experience, better acceptance in the areas that I'm interested in), but my wife and I are considering moving to Nashville and the PA school there is $$$ (Vandy has education credits for employees and I can work and do my MSN at the same time).

Anyone have any thoughts on this type of setup?

On a related thought, how does salary and responsibility compare for an NP vs PA in an ER? I don't want to just do fast track!

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