The Different Types of Nurse Practitioner Specialties

There are many different types of nurse practitioner specialties that are challenging. Getting to know the different types of nurse practitioner specialty jobs and what they do will help nurses looking to get into the field better plan for their future. Reviewing the specialty’s job description and duties will make you better prepared when looking to become an NP. Nurse practitioners have a lot more training in a clinical and classroom setting than registered nurses do. Becoming a RN is a prerequisite for becoming a nurse practitioner. To become a nurse practitioner, you need to have a bachelor’s degree. It is not required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing before entering in a nurse practitioner master’s degree program. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing it will take you longer to finish your masters of science degree in nursing program. I’ve put together a list of the different nurse practitioners specialties to help our readers understand which specialty to focus on:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with educational and clinical training specialized in family practice. Family nurse practitioners are trained to work with children and adults. FNPs work with patients to maintain wellness and health over a long period with a specific focus on preventative care. Most often, FNPs provide preventative care in communities that lack nursing care. Up until recently, FNPs would work directly under the supervision of a physician. More states are allowing FNPs to work independently because of the lack of doctors in family practice.

What Do Family Nurse Practitioners Do?

The range of practice is very broad. FNPs monitor the wellness and health to treat minor illnesses for people of all ages. This is very different from the other nurse practitioner specialties, which focus on pediatrics, mental health, or gerontology. Most FNPs work in a community clinic or private practice in ambulatory clinics. In private practices, FNPs are often responsible for tracking the health histories of one or more family members for a long time. This direct connection with the family allows them to communicate clearly and with compassion.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

A pediatric nurse practitioner works with children ranging from birth to the age of twenty-one. They spend one-on-one time with patients, treat common illnesses, and listen to descriptions of symptoms. PNPs work in an array of settings that include health care clinics and physician offices. They help prevent disease, promote health, and educate family members on the different plans of care.

What Do Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Do?

Pediatric Nurses provide:

• Development screenings
• Childhood Immunizations
• School physicals
• Treatment of common illnesses
• Well-child exams

PNPs are in between a nurse and a pediatrician. PNPs can treat patients without supervision and consult a pediatrician for assistance.

Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

An adult nurse practitioner focuses on providing primary health care for adults. This includes patients ranging from age twelve to seniors. The role can overlap other specialties. This is very broad; so much in fact that they are considered, by many, to be generalists. ANPs often work in under served areas where general practitioners are needed to provide detailed diagnosis to a large population.

What Do Adult Nurse Practitioners Do?

Adult nurse practitioners manage, diagnose, and evaluate common and chronic health problems. They provide a large range of care; although ANPs can specialize in areas of practice such as women’s health or cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary care. This all depends on their experience and the needs of the communities they work in.

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP)

A geriatric nurse practitioner works with older patients. There is no clear definition of what ages geriatrics applies to. GNPs work with patients who are dealing with the challenges of aging. This broad field allows for GNPs to work in different clinical environments. The most common environment to find GNPs are nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Hospitals may also employ geriatric nurse practitioners in their acute care for the elderly unit.

What Do Geriatric Nurse Practitioners Do?

Geriatric nurse practitioners need to be aware of new symptoms, drug interactions, and all possible existing conditions. They consult with patients and their families, nursing homes and hospitals, and even pharmacists. The difference between a general practitioner and a geriatric nurse is that GNPs are more likely to deal with providing long term care, adjusting medication, and prescribing physical therapy.

Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHCNP)

A Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that specializes in continuing and comprehensive health care for women. WHCNPs provide women with reproductive and gynecological care, and prenatal and postpartum care. They provide primary care for women of all ages

What Do Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioners Do?

Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner provides general care to female patients. WHCPs practice is largely gynecological or child-bearing-oriented. This is because they are trained to address the different health issues that are unique to women. WHCPs must work under the supervision of a physician. This changes from state to state and the laws are changing so that they do not require supervision.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP)

A baby is born every eight seconds and there needs to be nurse there to help. That is where neonatal nurse practitioners come in. NNPs work in the neonatal care units-centers within medical facilities that provides continuous support for infants in critical condition.

What Do Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Do?

Neonatal nurse practitioners work with neonatologists in acute and non-acute settings. They provide assistance with the treatment and delivery of infants. When infants are born, health complications due to genetic disorders, drug addition, premature birth, HIV infection, or any other causes may arise. NNPs are required to address the health issues that come with these conditions.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)

An acute care nurse practitioner focuses on hospital-based care with either pediatric or adult/gerontology patients. ACNPs can assess and treat patients with acute and chronic conditions. ACNPs work alongside physician hospitalists and are called nurse hospitalists.

What Do Acute Care Nurse Practitioners Do?

Acute care nurse practitioners take health histories, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illness, and order and interpret diagnostic tests.

Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNP)

An occupational health nurse practitioner provides primary care for employees. This minimizes illness and injury which effects productivity. Companies choose to engage occupational health nurse practitioners in different ways. An OHNP can work in urgent care clinics, schools, hospitals, or in a factory or warehouse.

What Do Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners Do?

An OHNP works with employees in a clinical of administrative setting. Urgent care clinics are paid for by a large employer. Nurse practitioners spend a majority of their time on direct patient care and their duties can range from treating the flu to setting a broken leg.

Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP)

An oncology nurse practitioner work closely with physicians, surgeons, and families as they cope with a variety of cancers. Their duties involve prescribing medications and treatments and making diagnoses.

What Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Do?

The ONP provides psychological support for the patient and their family. They may also provide primary, acute or tertiary care in a variety of medical settings including hospitals, private practice, cancer care centers, and palliative care centers.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A psychiatric nurse practitioner does many of the same things that a psychiatrist does, including diagnosing mental illness and prescribing medication.

What Do Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Do?

A psychiatric nurse practitioner acts as a therapist by helping patients with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

There you have it. A list of all the different nurse practitioner specialties. If you have something to add, I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below!