What Is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?
An acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) is an advanced-practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in the care of acutely ill or injured patients. They work primarily in hospitals and urgent care centers. They diagnose medical problems and order treatments and medications to help patients recover from sudden illness/injury or exacerbated chronic conditions.
Why Are Acute Care Nurse Practitioners So Important?
Currently, the United States is amid a physician shortage. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage of 40,800 to 104,900 physicians by the end of the next decade. Additionally, more patients are seeking healthcare services primarily due to an aging population and recent healthcare legislation. As more patients utilize health care services, the number of physicians available to address their needs is not sufficient. Nurse practitioners are valuable members of the health care team to fill the gap between patient care needs and the physician shortage.
RELATED: The States with the Largest Nursing Shortages
Additionally, nurse practitioners start off as nurses—which means they are highly skilled in educating patients. This valuable trait leads to higher patient satisfaction and improved patient care outcomes. It also helps reduce health care costs, as nurse practitioners provide comprehensive care at the first service point.
Becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Acute care nurse practitioners are required to complete an advanced-practice program to earn either a master's degree (MSN) or a doctoral degree in nursing (DNP). A bachelor of science degree (BSN) is required for admission to a graduate program. It can take two years for a BSN-educated nurse to earn a master's degree, and three to four years to obtain a doctoral degree.
Many graduate programs offer online learning, which is helpful for many nurses. Benefits of online learning include:
- More flexibility
- Reduced travel time
- Self-directed learning
- Self-paced learning
See our compiled list of available ACNP programs available to you.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements and Training
Nurses who are skilled in critical thinking, rapid decision-making, and technology make excellent acute care nurse practitioners. Flexibility, an aptitude for working in chaotic and ever-changing environments, and the capacity to problem-solve are also essential characteristics of an ACNP.
Educational Prerequisites
A BSN is a minimum requirement for entry into a graduate program. There are many opportunities for associate's degree nurses to “bridge” to a bachelor’s degree via an RN to BSN program. The bridge process can take about two years.
Additionally, many advanced-practice programs require experience working as an acute care RN prior to admission. Some schools allow nurses to work in acute care concurrently through the graduate program. Prior experience in acute care is crucial in that it helps build the skills needed to practice as an ACNP.
Graduate programs consist of core advanced-practice courses, which include:
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Clinical reasoning (studying abnormal/normal test results to formulate diagnoses)
- Research in health care
Some programs have acute care "tracks" that nurse practitioner students can choose as an area of focus. Acute care coursework specifics may vary between schools, but typically include:
- Advanced health assessment specific to acute care
- Pathophysiology in the acute care setting
- Advanced pharmacotherapeutics
Areas of study for acute care nurse practitioners can be further specialized, to include courses in:
- Critical care
- Cardiac care
- Emergency care
- Transplant care
- Trauma
- Hospitalist Acute Care
- Intensivist Acute Care
Along with coursework, a clinical practicum in acute care is also required.
Examination, Licensure, and Certification
Certification in acute care can be obtained within the graduate program or through independent study. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers entry-level certification for acute care nurse practitioners. Eligibility requirements include:
- Hold an unrestricted RN or NP license
- Completion of an accredited, graduate-level advanced-practice education program that includes supervised clinical and didactic coursework in adult-gerontology
Nurse practitioners must complete an online or paper application, after which they will receive information on testing. Certification is by exam and can take up to three and a half hours. The credential awarded is the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification-Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) and is valid for five years.
The AACN also offers specialized acute care certifications for advanced-practice nurses such as:
- Critical Care Nursing (CCRN)
- Critical Care Nursing-Pediatric (CCRN)
- Critical Care Nursing-Neonatal (CCRN)
- Critical Care Knowledge Professional -Adult (CCRN-K)
- Critical Care Knowledge Professional-Pediatric (CCRN-K)
- Critical Care Knowledge Professional-Neonatal (CCRN-K)
- Telemetry-ICU Critical Care Nursing- Adult
- Progressive Care Nursing-Adult (PCCN)
- Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (PCCN-K)
- Cardiac Medicine (CMC)
- Cardiac Surgery (CSC)
- CNS Wellness through Acute Care-Adult Gerontology (ACCNS-AG)
- CNS Wellness through Acute Care-Pediatric (ACCNS-P)
- CNS Wellness through Acute Care-Neonatal (ACCNS-N)
In addition to acute care and specialized acute care certification, ACNPs may be required to complete other certifications such as:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS)
After graduating from an MSN or DNP program, ACNPs can apply to their state boards for licensure. Since licensure requirements can vary from state to state, nurse practitioners are encouraged to check their state board's specific requirements.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner FAQs
The answer is that it depends - on the facility and department as well as the title (nurse or NP). For nurses, some departments only hire those with acute care experience, and often set a time frame for experience, such as “six months of acute care experience in the last five years required.” However, some employers offer cross-training programs for nurses. Cross-training programs are set up similar to new grad programs, although they may be shorter in duration. Off-site as well as on-the-job training is common, depending on the department.
Nurse practitioners looking to gain acute care experience may have a longer path, depending on their background and certification. In most states, specialty certification is required for licensure as a nurse practitioner. NP graduates can become certified in family medicine, women’s health, acute care, etc. Those looking for a career change may be required to complete another NP program in their new area of interest. For example, a nurse practitioner who holds certification in family medicine is trained in caring for patients of all age groups, but with a preventive care approach. An FNP looking to work in acute care may need to complete an NP program to become certified as an acute care NP.
Acute care nurse practitioners can work in a variety of inpatient settings. They can choose to work in ICU, ERs, Trauma, and can specialize in hospitalist or intensivist acute care. The question of whether ICU experience is necessary has variable answers.
In short, the answer is that it depends. Specifically, it depends on the school, NP program, and desired end goal for the NP student. Some schools require 1-3 years "acute care experience." This pretty much means any area of acute care - med/surg, telemetry, orthopedic, peri-operative care, etc. ICU means critical care as well as acute care. Depending on the desired specialty, NPs must be able to care for patients in any acute care setting- whether it’s med/surg or ICU (for example, if working as a hospitalist).
Nurses who know they want to advance their career and become acute care NPs are advised to find positions in critical care settings to get a jump on NP program admissions. As well as gain essential skills in both critical and acute care. However, prospective NP students should research schools to determine the specific admission requirements.
Career and Outlook
As the United States faces a growing physician shortage, nurse practitioners are highly valued in their ability to deliver high-quality, comprehensive care. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 49.9% of NPs hold hospital privileges which allow them to meet the demand of a growing population seeking health care. Moreover, malpractice rates among nurse practitioners remain low; only 1.9% have been named as primary defendants in a malpractice case. Essentially, nurse practitioners are safe, highly educated, and qualified members of the health care team.
Working Conditions
Acute care nurse practitioners can work in the following areas:
- Teaching, general, trauma, and community hospitals
- Emergency department
- Intensive care units
- Operating rooms
- Subspecialty sectors such as:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Neurology
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Interventional radiology
- Long-term acute care facilities
- Urgent care
- Surgery centers
The working conditions of acute care nurse practitioners can be demanding. ACNPs must make quick but accurate decisions, be prepared for changing conditions, and be able to problem-solve challenging cases. Working well under pressure is a necessity.
Additionally, working as an ACNP can be emotionally draining. Working in critical care means that sometimes, despite a practitioner's best efforts, patients may not make it. Caregivers can feel a sense of guilt, along with a sense of loss. Having a healthy outlet for emotionally trying cases is necessary for ACNPs.
The working hours can also vary. Nights, weekends, and holidays may be required, as is having to be on-call.
Working in acute care is also rewarding. Facing challenging diagnoses and being able to resolve acute illnesses can result in the sense of fulfillment. In short, ACNPs save lives, and there is no higher reward than that.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities & Duties
Acute care nurse practitioner duties may vary depending on the particular areas of work. Duties may include:
- Evaluating patients who present with acute illness or injury
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic procedures/labs/imaging tests
- Diagnosing medical conditions
- Admitting patients to nursing units
- Stabilizing patients in critical care areas
- Operating medical machines/monitors
- Prescribing medications
- Performing procedures such as:
- Placing sutures/staples
- Performing incision & drainage
- Wound care/debridement
- Intubation
- Placement of peripheral or central intravenous lines
- Chest tube insertion
- Lumbar puncture
- Splinting injuries
- Sedation
- Monitoring hospitalized patients and tracking progress
- Setting patient goals to lead patients toward discharge
- Providing patient and family-centered education
- Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure all facets of patient care are addressed (i.e. nutrition services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing staff, etc.)
- Referring to specialists
- Collaborating with physicians to ensure patient care needs are met
- Collaborating with discharge planners to ensure adequate placement and follow-up are arranged upon discharge
- Discharging patients
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment
The average salary of an acute care nurse practitioner is currently around $101,342 annually, according to PayScale. Salaries can range from approximately $86,000 to $125,000 per year. Exact salary figures will depend on city/state of residence, amount of experience, certifications/credentials held, and place of employment, among other factors. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top-paying states for nurse practitioners, in general, are:
- California
- Washington
- Hawaii
- New Jersey
- Minnesota
The career outlook for acute care nurse practitioners is promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 45% growth for nurse practitioners in general until 2030. The demand for nurse practitioners is all-encompassing but is especially high in medically underserved and rural areas. This big demand is primarily due to the physician shortage relative to an increased demand for health care services and an aging “baby-boomer” population. The states with the highest employment level are:
- New York
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- Ohio
Specifically, general medical and surgical hospitals have the second-highest employment level for nurse practitioners—which is favorable for acute care nurse practitioners.
Helpful Organizations, Societies, & Agencies
FAQs
How many years is a ACNP? ›
Acute Care NP programs typically take 2-3 years depending on the specifics of the program and if they are full-time or part-time.
How do I transition from FNP to ACNP? ›You can prepare to make the transition from FNP to acute care NP by enrolling a post master's, or postgraduate, certificate program designed for nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
What is the difference between ACNP and FNP? ›The best way to think about FNP vs. ACNP is this: Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide primary care to individuals across the lifespan while acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) provide care in hospital and other institutional settings.
Is it better to be a FNP or AGNP? ›Both can act as primary care providers and have similar licensing requirements. The most significant difference between a family nurse practitioner and an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner is that FNPs care for patients of all ages, including children, while AGNPs care only for adolescents through adults.
Can ACNP intubate? ›Can ACNPs intubate? Yes. ACNPs perform a variety of life-sustaining medical procedures. Whereas certain states regulate if RNs can intubate patients, ACNPs who have been trained can intubate patients to save their life.
Which NP makes the most money? ›Neonatal NPs earn the most money and can expect continuing salary increases and a promising job outlook. Neonatal NPs who work in neonatal intensive care units or pursue relevant certifications can boost their earning potential. NPs who hold a doctorate in nursing can pursue lucrative leadership positions.
What is the easiest nurse practitioner specialty? ›- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Family Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNP) ...
- Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner.
Salary and Career Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there continues to be a demand for nurse practitioners in all specialized positions. The BLS projects the employment of NPs, which includes ACNPs and FNPs, to grow 26 percent by 2028.
The primary workplace for acute care NPs will be within hospital ICUs or working with surgeons or physicians conducting rounds in a hospital setting. FNPs primarily work in outpatient settings.
Which NP specialty is the hardest? ›- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Armed Forces NP. ...
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Correctional Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Substance Abuse Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Critical Care Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Is a NP higher than a PA C? ›
Neither profession ranks "higher" than the other. Both NPs and PAs work in the healthcare field but with different qualifications, educational backgrounds, and responsibilities. They also work in different specialties.
Which is better FNP or Agacnp? ›Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) focus on providing acute care for adults only. While FNPs treat everything from common childhood illnesses to chronic medical conditions, AGACNPs specialize in diseases, ailments, and illnesses that are life-threatening or that worsen during the aging process.
What NP is highest in demand? ›- Family Practice. ...
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. ...
- Psychiatric Mental Health. ...
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. ...
- Pediatric Primary Care. ...
- Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner. ...
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. ...
- House Call Nurse Practitioner.
You cannot expect to become a millionaire as a nurse practitioner overnight. However, some say that you can achieve the million-dollar mark in as little as a year. But for most people, more time is necessary.
What is the best NP to become? ›The family nurse practitioner (FNP) is one of the best nurse practitioner specialties for many reasons. FNPs provide primary care with an emphasis on preventative care to patients across their lifespans. The FNP cares for acute and chronic problems, annual physicals, well-child checks, and Medicare wellness visits.
Can NPS do chest tubes? ›Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants perform chest tube insertions as well as trauma surgeons do.
Can an FNP work in an acute care setting? ›Hospital care is one of the more stable career paths and an excellent option for FNPs! Finding an FNP job in an acute isn't easy, but becoming more and more common. So start your hospital or ER career today, even as an FNP!
Can a nurse practitioner do a chest tube? ›Depending on the urgency of the situation, the nurse practitioner may insert a chest tube at the bedside, in the operating room, or in an interventional radiology suite.
What is the lowest paid nurse practitioner? ›...
Where Are Nurse Practitioners Paid The Least?
- Alabama ($102,410)
- South Carolina ($102,850)
- Missouri ($103,490)
- West Virginia ($104,750)
As a nurse practitioner, you can easily switch specialties throughout your career entering different types of medical practice. Life as an NP involves less stress and offers more flexibility than that of an MD.
Is NP school harder than nursing school? ›
Some people may find that mastering the initial concepts in Nursing school is much harder than building upon those concepts in Nurse practitioner school. On the other hand, some students find that nurse practitioner school and its advanced concepts are harder to grasp and apply in practice.
Which nursing specialty has the happiest nurses? ›- School Nurse. ...
- Labor and Delivery Nurse. ...
- Case Management Nurse. ...
- Nurse Educator. ...
- Parish Nurse. ...
- Travel Nurse.
The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
What nursing specialty has the least burnout? ›- Nurse Educators. ...
- Institutional Nurses. ...
- Research Nurses. ...
- Public Health Nurses. ...
- Occupational Health Nurses. ...
- Case Management Nurses. ...
- Home Health Nurses. ...
- Clinic Nurses.
Many job markets across the U.S. are saturated for nurse practitioners. Many are not. Regardless of the situation in your area, if you're a new grad you may need to be determined and flexible as you look for that coveted first position.
What type of NP works in ICU? ›Critical Care NPs work in the acute care setting, primarily in intensive care units (ICU), emergency departments, and other units that deliver care to critically ill patients. This may include cardiac, pulmonary, trauma, medical-surgical, and neurology ICUs.
What procedures can an ACNP perform? ›Acute care nurse practitioners have the expertise to perform advanced nursing care for patients that are critically and acutely ill and possess specialized skills and abilities, including: Performing hands-on procedures such as intubation, chest tube insertion, resuscitation, and lumbar puncture.
Can FNP switch specialties? ›Switching Specialties by Seeking New Employment
You won't have to go back to school. All you need to do is seek employment in the new specialty of your choosing. For example, if you are prepared as a Family Nurse Practitioner, your broad foundation allows you to work with patients of all ages in many settings.
As an AG-ACNP Intensivist Nurse Practitioner, you will be prepared to practice as a leading member of multidisciplinary teams that provide care to critically ill patient populations in settings such as cardiovascular, neurology, trauma, surgical, medical and burn ICUs.
What is ACNP vs Agacnp? ›First of all, when pursuing an MSN degree, they focus on different program specialties. While AG-PCNPs concentrate on primary care, AG-ACNPs have an acute care concentration. Furthermore, AG-ACNPs can specialize in various areas, but for AG-PCNPs, specialization is uncommon.
What is the hardest unit to work on as a nurse? ›
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses
ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment and these nurses work with patients who have significant injuries and disease with added morbidity risks. Unstable patients require lifesaving interventions and once stabilized, are transferred to a different unit.
NPs can obtain multiple degrees across multiple specialties, or they may choose to just focus on one area. Depending on your geographic region, knowledge about specialty NPs may be fairly uncommon, or a specialty certification may be the only way to get a job in a particular area.
Are nurse practitioners happier than doctors? ›"Their importance and prestige is rising as more hospitals, health systems, and accountable care organizations... move to team-based care, in which they play a big part," Hoogerwerf says. As a result, NPs "are far happier" than physicians, Megan Brooks writes for Medscape Medical News.
Is PA or NP more competitive? ›NP school is the least competitive of the three and it has the loosest requirements. Some programs require 1 to 2 years of prior nursing experience, while others don't require any.
Can NPs assist in surgery? ›Surgical NP's provide care both in and out of the OR to patients in need of surgical assistance. Their work provides crucial support to surgical teams working in a variety of clinical settings.
What can a doctor do that a nurse practitioner Cannot? ›A primary difference between physicians and NPs is the fact that all doctors can prescribe medication to patients as a part of their duties. Nurse practitioners also prescribe medicine, but in some states they must be directly overseen by a doctor or physician in order to do so.
What is the pass rate for Agacnp exam? ›The following pass-rates for each ANCC exam are as follows: FNP = 86.2% AGACNP = 89.5% AGPCNP = 79.0%
What is higher than a nurse practitioner? ›Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-Prepared Practitioner
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal nursing degree, meaning that it is the highest possible practice-based degree in nursing.
Being a nurse practitioner is worth it because most NPs are highly satisfied with their career and job. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks nurse practitioners as the best health care job in 2022! So, if you are planning to go to school to become an NP, you can expect a pleasurable and engaging career.
Do nurse practitioners make 6 figures? ›But even outside of those specialties, having an advanced nursing degree can almost guarantee that you'll be making an average salary that is at least six figures. The average nurse practitioner makes $117,670 per year — and depending on which specialty you choose, you can make well beyond that amount.
How can a NP make a lot of money? ›
- Pursue Continuing Education or Additional Certifications. ...
- Explore New Areas of Nursing. ...
- Gain Work Experience. ...
- Negotiate Better Nursing Contracts. ...
- Produce Medical Writing.
- New York. Nurse practitioners in the Empire State earn an average of $126,440 a year. ...
- Arizona. Arizona is among the states where nurse practitioners enjoy full practice authority. ...
- Maryland. ...
- Washington. ...
- Oregon. ...
- 6. California. ...
- Colorado. ...
- New Jersey.
At What Age Do Nurse Practitioners Retire? Nurse practitioners are practicing at all ages. While the average retirement age in the United States is 62 years old—there are no rules as to when the NP needs to retire, and many continue to work well past 62, especially if they love their job and can complete their duties.
How to make 7 figures as a nurse? ›- Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ...
- Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) ...
- Become a Nurse Midwife. ...
- Advance in Nurse Leadership. ...
- Begin travel nursing assignment. ...
- Change Nursing specialties. ...
- Relocate to a higher paying state. ...
- Make sacrifices.
Becoming a nurse practitioner involves a lot more than just your brains. Being inherently smart does not guarantee that you will make it to becoming a nurse practitioner, you have to have the determination to endure the schooling and clinical requirements to get you there.
Which NP exam is harder? ›The AANP is rumored to be the easier of the two exams, specifically for those seeking their FNP certification as it historically had a higher pass rate than that of the ANCC FNP exam.
How much does a cruise ship nurse practitioner earn? ›Salary and job outlook for cruise ship nurses
As many cruise ship nurses decide to become nurse practitioners, it can also be helpful to know about their average salary, which is currently $116,383 per year .
It takes around four to six years to become a nurse practitioner. You need first to get a bachelor's degree, which takes about three years. Then, pursue a master's in nursing, which takes about one to two years. You can gain experience and certifications along with the degree and master's program.
How much do ACNP make in Texas? ›While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $129,586 and as low as $71,602, the majority of salaries within the ACNP jobs category currently range between $86,976 (25th percentile) to $118,165 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $126,511 annually in Texas.
How much do ACNP make in California? ›How much does a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care make in California? The average Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care salary in California is $132,374 as of January 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $124,837 and $141,893.
What is a ICU NP called? ›
A critical care nurse practitioner is a vital member of the critical care team. They deliver care to patients in the acute care setting and typically work in intensive care units (ICUs). They must act quickly, work well and enjoy working under stress and pressure.
Do you need a Masters to be an ANP? ›Although the academic requirements for an ANP vary in various areas, this role typically requires a masters-level educational qualification. You can choose the Master of Science in Nursing or the Doctor of Nursing Practice programme. Ensure that the modules you study are in your preferred discipline.
Is ANP the same as NP? ›Thus, a “nurse practitioner” (NP) is a type of APN. Because NPs can work independently in clinics and private practices as primary health care providers, their salary is higher on average than that of APNs; nurse practitioners made an average of $91,000 in 2010, compared with $73,000 for advanced practice nurses.
How much does an ANP earn? ›Average £43,402 per year.
What is the highest paid nurse in Texas? ›...
Highest paying cities in Texas for registered nurses.
| The Woodlands, TX | $83,890 per year |
|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | $73,910 per year |
Texas is one of 10 states in which cardiologists have the highest-paying positions overall, leading all other jobs in the “healthcare practitioners and technical occupations” group with an annual mean wage of $361,990.
Do RNs make more than NPs in California? ›In other words, an RN in California, which is one of the top paying states for RNs, can actually make more than an NP in another state. Some of the top paying states for RNs include: California. Hawaii.
What is the highest paid nurse in California? ›A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is one of the highest-paid nursing specialties.
Can a Nurse Practitioner insert a chest tube? ›Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants perform chest tube insertions as well as trauma surgeons do.
What is higher than an NP? ›The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal nursing degree, meaning that it is the highest possible practice-based degree in nursing.
Do you need critical care experience to be a ACNP? ›
Is ICU nursing experience required? No. While we believe that ICU nursing experience is helpful, it is not required. We recommend that potential applicants observe or “shadow” a physician or nurse practitioner intensivist to gain understanding of the AG-ACNP Intensivist role.
Why do NPs call themselves doctors? ›A doctorate is one of the highest degrees a nurse can earn and entitles them to be referred to as "doctor." The title of “doctor” (also earned through a Ph. D.), is an acknowledgment of the tremendous hard work and perseverance he or she experienced through the rigorous education requirements of a DNP or Ph. D.