Nurse Practitioners in Acute Care Settings

The role of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) is a fairly recent newcomer to nursing. This advanced practice nursing profession emerged in the 1970s and was officially recognized in 1995, when a national certification examination was offered for the first time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The ACNP role developed over time as a response to the developments in acute care settings. For example, hospitals wanted to reduce the length of stay for patients and to improve patient care at the same time. There was also a trend to decrease the number of medical residency programs. During the late 1980s, the first graduate-level Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs were offered as an answer to the obvious need for formal preparation for the ACNP role.

As nurses began taking on the new role of ACNP, several studies were done in the USA and in Canada to evaluate the usefulness of the specialty. The results were overwhelmingly positive. For example, the American Journal of Critical Care published a study in November 2004 in which attending physicians, respiratory therapists, and nurses in 2 intensive care units were asked to list 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of collaborative care provided by ACNPs. The results showed that acute care nurse practitioners were valued by all three groups of surveyed respondents for various reasons.

The general finding of the study was that ACNPs were appreciated for their "accessibility, expertise in routine daily management of patients, and ability to meet patient/family needs, especially for "long-stay" patients," according to the AJCC. Also, "..they were respected for their commitment to providing quality care and for their communication skills, exemplified through teaching of nursing staff, patient/family involvement, and fluency in weaning protocols."

Other studies are congruent with these findings, and the role of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner continues to become more popular in hospitals and clinics. Not only does an ACNP fill a needed role, but he or she also saves on health care costs since many of the tasks performed by higher-charging medical providers can be done by an ACNP.

There's no argument that the role of an ACNP has been beneficial for health care. But what about the nurses themselves? How has this career opportunity impacted RNs who are eager to move into an advanced practice role?

Again, the response from nurses has been overwhelmingly positive. "This role is ideally suited to perioperative nurses and RNFAs who want to take on an advanced practice role but do not want to leave the hands-on, acute care setting of the perioperative arena," wrote Janice L. Schroeder in the 2008 issue of AORN Journal.

Advanced practice nurses enjoy more diverse career opportunities and higher salaries, so as more advanced practice options become available this is good news for nurses who want to take their careers to the next level. There are only four advanced practice clinical professions within nursing, one of which is the nurse practitioner. An ACNP is a nurse practitioner who provides care to acutely ill patients in a variety of settings.

An ACNP will perform advanced physical assessments, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic management. He or she is also responsible for integration of care through the acute care phase. The ACNP's day-to-day responsibilities could include doing in-depth physical evaluations, interpreting test results, treating wounds, inserting catheters, and ordering medications.

Nurses who are interested in becoming an ACNP will typically need to pursue a Master's in Nursing Science degree (MSN). In addition, there is a growing national trend for all nurse practitioners to have a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This degree gives nurse practitioners similar academic credentials to those held by dentists, medical doctors, and clinical pharmacists.

During the course of their graduate-level education, future nurse practitioners take courses in health sciences, such as pharmacology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology, as well as courses in the diagnosis and clinical management of health and illness. In addition to their coursework, students must also complete several semesters of supervised clinical practice.

After graduating and passing the national certification examination, an ACNP can choose to go into private practice, like 15% of all NPs, to work in a nurse-managed health center, or to work in a hospital or other health care setting. Becoming an ACNP is a perfect choice for any RN who is looking for new challenges and brighter career options.

Become a Nurse Practitioner Online
Achieve the education you need to turn your nursing career goals into reality. Explore accredited Nurse Practitioner programs and request free no-obligation information directly from any of our featured schools. Education is your key to a brighter future, and that key is just a mouse click away!

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Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies

Online

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.

Programs:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery/Womens Health Nurse Practitioner

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Nursing (RN Required)
• M.S. in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Pasadena
Ontario
Costa Mesa
Los Angeles
Sacramento
Fairfield
Murrieta
Salida
Woodland Hills
Lathrop
Lancaster
Livermore
Fresno
Roseville
Gardena
San Francisco
San Jose
Elk Grove
Bakersfield
Online
Rancho Cordova
Diamond Bar
Oakland
Palm Desert

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• Paramedic to RN

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing - Nurse Administrator

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Nurse Case Manager Emphasis (Online)

Campus Locations:

San Diego
San Marcos
National City

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
San Bernardino
South Gate
Gardena

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN
• RN to BSN

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Addison

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Registered Nursing
• AS in Vocational Nursing
• Certificate in Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Sacramento
Antioch
San Leandro
San Jose

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Vocational Nursing
• Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

Vista
San Diego

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim
Los Angeles

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Rancho Mirage
Santa Maria

Concorde

Campus

We believe hands-on experience is the best way to learn. And at Concorde, you’ll find that a “learn by doing” approach to healthcare training will get you the skills you need to succeed-- and get you into the workforce quickly.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

San Bernardino
North Hollywood
San Diego
Garden Grove

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fairfield

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing-Diploma

Campus Locations:

Redding

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

Colton
Anaheim

Keiser University Graduate School

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Saint Xavier University

Campus

Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.

Programs:

• MSN in Clinical Leadership
• MSN in Executive Leadership
• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Western Governors University

Campus

At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.

Programs:

• B.S. in Nursing
• M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
• M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)

Campus Locations:

San Francisco

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

Programs:

• Health Care Aide

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

South University Online

Campus

Designed with the needs of working adult students in mind, South University, Online Programs is built on the same curriculum offered at South University's campus locations. As a student at South University, Online Programs you will receive the same degree, quality instruction, variety of learning options and level of service found at the campus locations.

Programs:

• Nursing Specialization in Adult Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
• Nursing Specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
• Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (RN-MSN)

Campus Locations:

Savannah