NP Fellowship vs. NP Residency: What’s the Difference?
Comparison of Nurse Practitioner Fellowship and Residency Programs. When people hear about medical training programs, they often think of residency programs for doctors. These programs allow newly graduated medical students to practice under the guidance of experienced doctors in hospitals or clinics. However, residency and fellowship programs are not only for doctors. In recent years, postgraduate residency programs for nurse practitioners (NPs) have become more popular. By 2016, there were 38 of these programs that provided newly qualified NPs the chance to practice their profession.
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NPs can enter these programs after completing their master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP). While these programs are not mandatory for NP qualification, they offer valuable experience and a chance to specialize.
Since these programs are relatively new for NPs, they share similarities in how they’re described. Yet, fellowships and residencies serve different purposes. This guide explains these similarities and differences to help you choose the right program.
Similarities and Differences Between Fellowships and Residencies
Both fellowship and residency programs offer supervised training for new NPs after their graduate studies. Residency programs focus on practicing care within a major field of specialization. On the other hand, fellowships allow NPs to gain deeper knowledge and skills in a specific subfield.
Both programs involve supervised work in professional settings like hospitals or private practices.
NPs can undertake both programs after finishing their MSN or DNP degrees, building on the clinical experience gained during their graduate studies.
Although both programs are competitive, accepting only a limited number of participants each year, their durations can vary, typically lasting around 12 months.
Despite these commonalities, there are also distinct differences between the two programs.
Nurse Residencies with Lots of Job Chances for New Grads
Understanding Fellowship Programs
Fellowship programs enable NPs to specialize beyond their initial graduate concentration. During a fellowship, NPs develop expertise within a subfield. For instance, an NP might join a gastroenterology or nephrology fellowship program.
Understanding Residency Programs
Residencies are postgraduate programs that allow NPs to gain more clinical experience within their chosen field. While not as specialized as fellowships, residencies help NPs refine their skills.
Both programs share similarities as they offer NPs a chance to gain initial clinical experience in a supervised postgraduate professional setting. However, they differ in that fellowships often provide more specialized practice settings than residencies.
Typical Specialties for Fellowships and Residencies
Primary care and family health
Geriatrics
Pediatrics
Neuroscience
Dermatology
Oncology
Cardiology
Emergency
Psychiatry
Acute care
Surgery
Palliative care
Gastroenterology and hepatology
Rural health
What to Expect in Nurse Practitioner Fellowship and Residency Programs
As NPs’ residency and fellowship programs are relatively new in healthcare, you may be uncertain about how these programs operate. While there’s overlap in their curricula, they also have distinctions.
What to Anticipate in a Fellowship
In fellowships, NPs acquire specialized skills under the guidance of experienced professionals. These programs may involve more than clinical practice, including:
Didactic sessions
Specialty rotations
Simulation trainings
Direct patient care
What to Anticipate in a Residency
NPs in residencies enhance their skills by providing direct patient care. They receive intensive on-the-job training, often more intense than during their clinical studies in graduate school. Residencies also include other responsibilities, such as:
Specialty rotations
Didactic sessions
Preceptor practice
Mentor-based training
Nurse Practitioner Fellowship vs. Residency: Choosing the Right Program
Deciding whether to enroll in a fellowship or residency program as a nurse practitioner (NP) requires careful consideration. Postgraduate programs like these offer supervised experience, especially beneficial for new NPs. Both fellowships and residencies can enhance job prospects for newly qualified NPs at the start of their careers.
If you’ve decided to pursue a postgraduate program, the next question is whether you want broad experience in your field or to specialize in a specific area. If you’re inclined towards general experience, a residency could be suitable. On the other hand, if you’re interested in a subspecialty, a fellowship might be a better fit.
Common Questions About Nurse Practitioner Fellowship and Residency Programs
Do nurses participate in fellowships?
Registered nurses typically don’t engage in fellowships, but NPs can join fellowship programs. Fellowships are optional and not necessary for licensing or employment. However, if an NP desires more supervised experience before securing a full-time role, a fellowship can be beneficial.
Which comes first: residency or fellowship?
Many NPs choose either a residency or a fellowship, not both. If an NP does both, they usually begin with a residency followed by a fellowship.
What specialties are common in residency and fellowship?
Some common specialties for residencies and fellowships include primary care, geriatrics, pediatrics, emergency care, acute care, and women’s health.
Is a fellowship worthwhile?
The answer depends on your career aspirations. If you aim to work in a specialized niche within a field, a NP fellowship can help you achieve that goal. However, if you prefer a broader field like primary or acute care, a fellowship might not be necessary.
Is a residency worthwhile?
Consider your career goals when deciding if an NP residency is right for you. If you feel that additional supervised clinical experience before entering the field is valuable, then an NP residency could be worth it.
Source:
Shannon F. (2016). For NPs, residency gains favor. https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicaleducation/59950
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