Is becoming an acute care nurse practitioner right for me?
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How to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
To become an acute care nurse practitioner, you typically need to follow these general steps:
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree: You must first obtain a nursing degree from an accredited nursing program. This typically takes four years of full-time study.
- Obtain a Registered Nurse License: After completing your BSN degree, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain your registered nurse license.
- Gain Clinical Experience: As a registered nurse, you will need to gain experience in acute care nursing by working in a hospital or other acute care setting. The amount of experience required may vary depending on the specific acute care nurse practitioner program you choose.
- Complete an Accredited ACNP Graduate Program: You will need to complete a Master's or Doctorate in Nursing that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The program should include coursework in acute care nursing, as well as clinical experience in acute care settings.
- Obtain Certification: After completing your acute care nurse practitioner program, you will need to obtain national certification from an accredited organization such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
- Obtain a State License: To work as an acute care nurse practitioner, you must be licensed in the state where you will be practicing. Requirements for licensure vary by state, but typically include passing a national certification exam and meeting other state-specific requirements.
Certifications
There are several certifications available for acute care nurse practitioners. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC): This certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is designed for nurses who specialize in acute care. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have a master's or higher degree in nursing from an accredited institution and hold a current RN license.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP): This certification is also offered by the ANCC and is designed for nurses who specialize in the care of adults and older adults with acute and/or chronic illnesses. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have a master's or higher degree in nursing from an accredited institution and hold a current RN license.
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (CPNP-AC): This certification is offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and is designed for nurses who specialize in the care of acutely ill or injured children. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have a master's or higher degree in nursing from an accredited institution, hold a current RN license, and have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
- Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AACNP): This certification is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and is designed for nurses who specialize in the care of critically ill adult patients. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have a master's or higher degree in nursing from an accredited institution, hold a current RN license, and have at least 1,750 hours of clinical practice as an acute care nurse practitioner.
Associations
There are several professional associations for acute care nurse practitioners that provide education, resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for this specialty. Here are some of the most prominent associations for ACNPs:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN): This organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in critical care nursing and offers resources, continuing education opportunities, and networking for ACNPs working in acute care settings.
- National Association of Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (NAACNP): This organization is focused specifically on the needs and interests of ACNPs and provides advocacy, networking, and educational opportunities for its members.
- American Nurses Association (ANA): This is the largest professional association for nurses in the United States and offers resources, advocacy, and educational opportunities for nurses working in all specialties, including ACNPs.
- American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP): This organization is dedicated to advancing the role of nurse practitioners in healthcare and offers resources, education, and networking opportunities for its members.
- Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM): This organization is focused on improving critical care through research, education, and advocacy and offers resources and education opportunities for ACNPs working in critical care settings.