Building a Professional Practice of Critical Care Nursing Excellence: The ACNP Role

Definition & Purpose An Acute Care Nurse

Practitioner (ACNP) is a master’s prepared advanced practitioner who provides advanced nursing care across the continuum of acute care services to patients who are acutely and critically ill.

Standards of Clinical Practice and Scope of Practice for the ACNP (AACN & ANA, May 1995)

Why MCG : The Graduate Programs Nursing Strengths

Top ranking by US News & World Report

1st Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the state

Among the first 10 DNP programs in the country

MCG School of Nursing Simulation Center

Expert faculty with clinical practice

Why MCG ACNP Program: The Strengths

Mentoring by faculty who “walk and talk” the role through practice, research, publications, presentations

Leadership by faculty who are recognized for nursing contributions with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA)

ACNP Educational Preparation

Masters / Post Masters Program Certification through American Nurses Credentialing

Center (ANCC) 1st Exam 12/95

Certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) 1st Exam 08/07

Extensive re-certification requirements must be met Depends on Certifying Body (ANCC or AACN)

Minimum of 75 – 100 CEU every 5 yrs (evidence in specialty area)

Minimum of 1500 – 2000 ACNP practice hours Minimum 400 practice hours in past year

MCG ACNP Program Description

Strong scientific and leadership based education

Clinical experiences range from ICUs to ERs to Pain Management Clinics to Sub-Acute Facilities

43 credit hours 600+ clinical hours FULL Time (one

year option) or PART Time (3 year option)

Post Master’s Track Option

ACNP Curriculum @ MCG Analytical Tools & Biostatistics-

PRE-REQ Epidemiology-PRE-REQ Research Theory Health Systems Healthcare Policy Informatics Advanced Practice Nursing

Roles Advanced Health Assessment Advanced Pathophysiology Advanced Pharmacology ACNP I, ACNP II, ACNP III,

ACNP IV with Scholarly Project

Inception of the ACNP Role

1992: Health care cost the USA > $832 Billion Easterbrook, Newsweek, Sept 1993, 22

1992: ICU costs consuming approx 1% of gross national product Keene, Am J Crit Care, 1994, 3:232-237

1994: Physician Payment Review Commission (PPRC) recommended limiting the number of resident positions Schwartz, JAMA, 1993, 270:1079-1082

The ACNP Role = The 5 C’s That ALL Patients Deserve:

COMPREHENSIVE CARE

COORDINATED CARE COLLABORATIVE

CARE CONSISTENT CARE COST-EFFECTIVE

CARE

Role Differentiation for the ACNP

ACNP and Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS = more of a systems

focus ACNP = more of a patient

focus

ACNP and Family or Adult NPs ACNP = more acute care

settings FNP/ANP = more primary

care settings

ACNP and Physician Assistants ACNP = practices under own

license PA = practices under MD

license

ACNP and Physicians ACNP = more of a caring

model MD = more of a curing model

ACNP Models of Practice

Joint Professional Practice Model RE: ACNP reports to Nsg

Adm & Physician Nursing Based Practice

Model RE: ACNP assigned to

CVICU Physician Based Practice

Model RE: ACNP in practice with

private group

Positive Outcomes with the ACNP Role

Decreased readmission rates

Decreased complications Decreased costs Decreased LOS Decreased length of time

for discharge Increased patient

satisfaction Increased staff satisfaction

ACNP Challenges

Scope of Practice Prescriptive

Authority Reimbursement Managed Care

ACNP Hoorahs!! > 4800 ACNPs now

certified throughout the country

Reported salaries of $80,000 - $90,000 by former graduates

JOBS!!! Kleinpell Studies AACN

Clinical Issues 12/1999, 12/2000 and 12/2004

Mundinger Study JAMA 1/2000

DECIDING CRITERIA TO BE AN ACNP: The 5 C’s

Clinical competence Confidence in self Consistent “tough BUT

flexible skin” Collaborative approach

for patient care Commitment for

professional growth and nursing excellence

Taking the Professional Steps for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Excellence is a Phone Away!

Call Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing Janie Heath PhD, APRN-BC, ANP, ACNP

Associate Dean Academic Affairs 706-721-2787

Or Visit Our Webpage For More Information http://www.mcg.edu/son