Work setting for PNP's

[RDHtoDNP, MSN, RN]

Hello!

I'm new to this site and interested in becoming an NP. I was hoping someone could clarify a few things for me.

It's a bit unclear to me as to what work settings PNP's can work in. I am planning on applying to a Master's Entry Program in Nursing to obtain an MSN and NP certification and I'm required to choose my specialty at the time of application. I don't have any previous nursing experience so none of the acute care specialties are open to an applicant like me. However, a career as an NP in a Children's Hospital setting is very attractive to me.

Here are my questions:

1) If I receive a PNP certification, will this also allow me to work in a Children's Hospital Setting? Or do I need to be an ACPNP? Are PNP certifications mainly for those who just want to work in private practice?

2) Do Children's Hospitals hire FNP's? or do they only hire PNP's/ACPNP's?

3) Would anyone happen to know what the job market is like for a PNP in the San Francisco Bay Area? It seems there are more jobs available for FNP's. Is this because most PNP positions are advertised internally?

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

I moved your post to pre-NP inquiry for best response!

[tryingtohaveitall]

These days the trend is that children's hospitals are turning to ACPNPs. The two children's hospitals near me are now requiring this certification for their PNPs. Many FNPs and Primary care PNPs going back for post master's certificates. You could look at openings in CA and see what they require.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

As you have discovered, there are two types of PNP certifications (Acute Care and Primary Care). The training for each distinct certification as well as the scope of practice differs. The scope of practice for each certification will also vary from state to state (what either type of PNP can do in Florida will not be the same as they can do in Georgia). While I am not an accomplished Fortune Teller / Crystal Ball Gazer, I expect the different state Boards of Nursing to insist on changes to state Nurse Practice Acts to better reflect the particular trainings and national standards for each scope of practice.

So if you really want to work inpatient in Children's Hospitals, in PICUs, and with those in more acute care situations, I recommend that you pursue the Pediatric ACNP (or whatever its new moniker is). If you really like responding to children in the primary care setting (dealing with chronicity, teaching parents/kids about health and wellness, keeping kids OUT of hospitals) then definitely pursue the PNP - Primary Care. The two certifications are not the same, the academic programs are not the same, and you cannot get the same types of jobs.

I strongly recommend you do your research now.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

The acute care specialty is relatively new and many older pnps don't have it. Some hospitals will hire pnp's with primary care cert and then pay for their education to get acute care. However, it is very hard (impossible?) to get hired into an acute care setting as an np without RN experience. Primary care will hire a new grad np without RN experience. Other practice settings are specialty clinics (neuro, GI, etc) which may include rounding on patients in hospital as part of your role. Pnps are also utilized a great deal in the ER and many of your patients will be more primary care types than acute.