Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs In California
As health care costs continue to climb and health insurance deductibles swell, the medical industry continues to seek better and more economical ways to manage the needs and the care of their patients. One such way is to educate their nursing professionals so that they can provide many forms of patient care in place of physicians. This allows nurses to enjoy greater satisfaction from their own careers, while driving the cost of medical care down slightly for insurance companies and patients. Nurse practitioners are the answer to this quest; a nurse who has completed one of the Nurse Practitioner Programs In California is a registered nurse with an advanced degree that allows him or her to treat patients with greater autonomy and to demand a higher salary than that of a nurse who holds an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.
There are many different possible specialties for practice nurses; for example, an acute care nurse practitioner (male or female) treats adults who are dealing with acute and/or critical diseases. An ACNP may be found working in a hospital or in an internal medicine office, or he or she may be independently employed, contracting with area physicians to provide specialized care to their patients. Other environments where you may find an ACNP include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, urgent care clinics, public health clinics, and home health agencies. If you are a nurse or pursuing a career in nursing, and are already aware that child wellness and health care are not your preferences, you may be well equipped to become an acute care nurse practitioner.
Nurse Practitioner Specialization In Acute Care
Certified acute care nurse practitioners may choose to work in a general capacity, treating adult patients, ranging from late teens to the elderly, in a variety of capacities. On the other hand, there are many specialties from which to choose as well. There are ACNP’s who specialize in organ transplants and recovery, cancer treatment, intensive care unit patients, and so on. You will be given the opportunity to choose areas of specialization through the course of your educational program.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Education
If you are seeking an education program in practice nursing and have not obtained a degree in any medical field yet, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and then move on to a master’s degree in nursing. The BSN will be in general nursing care, and the beginning of your master’s program will include a range of general nursing classes, including theory of nursing, pharmacology, and other topics all nurses must master. However, as the program continues, you will have the freedom to choose the classes that focus on your area of specialization, and you will want to consider your career preferences as you choose your thesis topic. Finally, you will have to complete a predetermined number of clinical hours in whichever of the Nurse Practitioner Schools In California.
The same requirements will be present if you are already working as a nurse; however, you will already hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you hold a BSN, you will simply have to choose a master’s program. If you hold and ASN, you can find a bridge program that streamlines the educational process that takes you from associate’s level to master’s level.
Becoming Licensed As An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Once you have completed your education, you will have to sit for a licensing exam. The exam is designed by and evaluated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Once you pass the test, you are a certified practice nurse; your certification must be renewed every five years.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Job Description
Because the health care issues seen by acute care nurse practitioners tend to be severe, the responsibilities of this professional weigh heavily on life support skills. An ACNP will be integrally involved in examinations, diagnostic responsibilities, making recommendations, and managing treatment. As an ACNP, you will work with the family to offer support and education, and you will interface with laboratories and pharmacies to ensure the proper follow-up, recovery, and maintenance are in place.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary
Because the use of Advanced Practice Nurses in place of or along side of physicians has been so successful in multiple medical settings, the demand for acute care nurse practitioners is growing faster than the number of graduating practice nurses. This means that for the next decade or more, graduating nurse practitioners will have little problem finding employment or enjoying a high level of job security. Acute care nurse practitioners enjoy an average salary of $82,500 per year, which is actually growing, and which depends on the health care sector and geographic region in which you work.
Who Should Become An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?
Professionals considering a career as an acute care nurse practitioner are patient, compassionate individuals who wish to support patients and their families as they deal with illness and disease. A high level of organization is necessary, and an ability to communicate with all levels of patients and other medical professionals.