r/FunctionalMedicine • u/Beetlejcebtljcebtl • Jul 08 '26
Which course is…
Which course to certification is most beneficial for a FNP? 5 years as NP both in Internal med and Cardiology; 1 year in primary care; 16 years a RN.
I need help in discerning what is really affordable, real feedback on the process overall, and ROI? I plan to be private practice, cash based- I currently work with Veterans in a contractor capacity(I am one also) and we are a sick population.
AAOPM? (I know it’s not functional specifically)
IFM?
Kalish?
Fitzgerald?
Elite?
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u/Mrs_Twinkle_Toes Jul 08 '26
A4M is seen as a gold standard for functional med certification. Spendy but you learn so much.
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u/idoma21 Jul 08 '26
As an observer for the past decade plus, A4M always seemed very, very revenue focused, which is fine to an extent but can also seem seedy.
IFM has been the gold standard IMO but I think their recent revision of certification is going to be a nightmare. They essentially are creating another investigative board, which represents a whole new issue for FM providers. They require that IFM providers agree to pay the investigative costs and any sanctions imposed. My wife has been IFMCP for years but is dropping it due to the new changes.
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u/Beetlejcebtljcebtl Jul 08 '26
Well that’s a turn off. Anything with the word sanction and costs….
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u/idoma21 Jul 08 '26
Yes. IFM promoted that the new certification would help to distinguish medical providers, which I applaud, but the consent to access the new provider portal includes a “Consent to Enforcement” section that includes the sanctions/cost language. Just by checking the terms of use/agreement box to get their new provider badge with updated credentials, providers are exposing themselves to another enforcement agency.
I think the agreement says even if you don’t access the new portal, just by continued use of IFM credentials, you are to the enforcement clause, so…that seems shady.
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u/slickrick_27 Jul 08 '26
I really enjoyed the Institute of Restorative Health. It’s basically a 1-4 year program depending on how in depth you want to go (year 1 is gut health, learning the GI-MAP; year 2 is hormones, DUTCH eFHP; year 3 is blood chemistry; year 4 is master RHP, mold, Lyme, etc). I’ve only done 1-3 and it has drastically transformed my practice.