Registered nurses looking to advance their education and careers have a number of options. Pursuing an advanced degree as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) can unlock exciting new opportunities and higher salaries. But you don’t have to stop there. Practicing FNPs also have numerous options for becoming certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) in specialties that they are particularly drawn to in their work.
Below, we compare the roles of CNP and FNP, covering what they mean, how they’re different, and the extensive opportunities these certifications can offer.
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What is a CNP?
CNP can be a general term for an advanced practice nurse (APRN) who has pursued a nurse practitioner track. APRN is an umbrella term for professionals who have pursued an advanced degree; CNP is a category under that umbrella.
The terms “certified nurse practitioner” and “nurse practitioner” are often used interchangeably, but using the term CNP can specifically communicate that an NP has passed a certification exam, though it does not specify what area the certification is in.
All FNPs are CNPs, as they must pass an exam to obtain certification and licensure to practice. Additionally, there are other certification options available for those already practicing who wish to specialize, which we cover extensively below.
What is an FNP?
An FNP is one specialty available for nurses who want to pursue a career as a CNP. An FNP is qualified to provide a range of services to patients of all ages, from infants, kids, and teens to adults and seniors. They can practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics. FNPs are also qualified to teach in various environments, and in some states, they can own and operate private practices.
Additional certifications available for FNPs
FNPs have broad scopes of practice and are prepared to provide a wide range of care to their patients. While the wide range of opportunities and the ability to practice with various patient populations may be what draws some nurses to this specialty, some FNPs may seek further specialization.
Some FNPs may find that they’re drawn to a particular area of medication when they’re in school or that they have a particular interest in a specific patient population while completing their clinical hours. Others may fall in love with a specialty once they start working or find a job in a specialty they didn’t even know existed. For FNPs seeking to specialize in a specific area of nursing instead of general patient care, there are several certification options available, such as:
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
FNPs interested in specializing in aesthetic procedures, such as Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels, can seek additional certification as a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS). Offered by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB), this exam certification has several requirements, including holding a current licensure as an NP or APRN and having at least 1,000 practice hours within this specialty in the last two years.
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
To work as a dermatology NP, nurses must meet the qualifications established by the Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification Board. To sit for the Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) exam, interested professionals must already have an NP certification, be licensed to practice as an NP, and have completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of dermatology practice within 3 years before sitting for the exam. Like many subspecialities, the DCNP certification is an additional certification and does not replace the FNP credential.
Cardiology Nurse Practitioner
For FNPs who wish to focus on cardiology, the American College of Cardiology offers an advanced credentialing exam that awards the Certified in Cardiovascular Knowledge or CCK credential, and the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine offers a Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Exam for board certification.
Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner
Emergency NPs are trained to provide emergency medical care to patients of all ages in urgent care and emergency room settings. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board offers this certification exam to FNPs who have completed at least 2,000 hours of direct emergency care in the past five years and 100 hours of continuing emergency care education, with a minimum of 30 hours in emergency care procedural skills.
Nephrology Nurse Practitioner
For FNPs interested in working with patients experiencing kidney health issues, the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offers a Certified Nephrology Nurse – Nurse Practitioner exam and certification. FNPs must have at least two years of experience practicing as an NP in nephrology and 20 contact hours of continuing education in nephrology.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offers a pathway for FNPs who wish to get certified in oncology. FNPs must have 1,000 hours of practice in adult oncology within the last five years and have completed at least one graduate-level oncology course of at least two credits or 30 hours of continuing education in oncology within the past five years.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
FNPs with an interest in orthopedics can get certified through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board, which requires preparation as an NP, currently working as an NP caring for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, and at least 2,000 hours practicing in an APRN role in the past three years.
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
The Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center offers an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification to NPs and clinical nurse specialists (CNS) with an interest in this specialty. Applicants for the exam must hold at least a graduate degree as an NP or CNS and hospice and palliative advanced nursing practice of 500 hours in the last year or 1000 hours in the past two years.
How to become a specialized CNP
The qualifications for becoming an FNP in a specialized field vary depending on the organization that provides the certification. In most cases, you will have to meet specific criteria to be eligible for an exam, typically a FNP or other nurse practitioner certification, as well as a certain number of hours practicing in the specialty area in the years leading up to applying to take the exam. Some organizations may also require a certain number of continuing education credits in the specialty area, but additional coursework or schooling is usually not needed.
Should an FNP seek a specialized certification?
As an FNP, whether you seek a specialized certification is entirely up to you, but here are some pros and cons to consider about pursuing a CNP specialization.
If you are happy in your role as an FNP and your employer does not require an additional certification, then it may not be worth seeking one. Being an FNP is a significant achievement, and there are still so many opportunities to pursue with this certification. Many nurses enter this field because they enjoy caring for a diverse patient population, and this certification can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.
On the other hand, if you are drawn to a particular patient population or area of medicine or if your employer requires you to specialize, pursuing a specialized certification can be a lucrative and rewarding option. Some FNPs may have a natural gift or understanding of a particular medical field, while others may find something that piques their interest and inspires them to learn more. Whatever the reason, specializing can lead to career advancement and offers an opportunity to be a leader in a specific field.