Acute Care Certification for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners



The demand for Acute Care Certification is rapidly increasing across the United States. Texas, Arizona, Virginia and Maryland have issued statewide mandates for hospitals to require Acute Care Certification for most, if not all inpatient positions. Of the 12 hospitals that were named top three in the ten identified pediatric specialties by US News and World Report’s 2012-2013 "Best Children’s Hospitals," at least 5 of them either require or strongly prefer Acute Care Certification for the majority of inpatient jobs.  In addition, a September 2011 statement given by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties recommends that Acute Care Nurse Practitioners care for the majority of inpatient patients.

As a result, many of the leading children’s hospitals now request "Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners" when seeking candidates for open PNP job opportunities. Those who are educated and certified in acute care have become highly preferred candidates for inpatient roles in today's job market.

The changing landscape for acute and primary care certification requirements can be an uncertain path to navigate. Melnic Consulting Group is here to provide insight and professional career guidance for PNP new grads and experienced PNPs looking to advance their careers.  Here are some study tips and materials for the PNCB board exams for AC and PC certifications. 

 

Wondering if you should get your Acute Care Certification?  We're happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please contact us.   

  
According to the (PNCB) Pediatric Nurse Certification Board, “the CPNP-AC role is designed to meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of children with complex acute, critical and chronic health conditions. CPNP-ACs respond to rapidly changing clinical conditions, including the recognition and management of emerging crises, organ dysfunction and failure.”

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the National Task Force Criteria and the APRN National Consensus Model include recommendations that all states require nurse practitioners to have congruence between education, national certification and clinical practice. While a few states may not currently require national certification for licensure, your employer may require certification or you may move to another state that requires it.
The PNCB currently recognizes the following Acute Care PNP programs listed by state and city:

AL - Birmingham University of Alabama at Birmingham - Advanced Practitioner of Nursing: Acute & Continuing Care Pediatrics
AL - Mobile
University of South Alabama College of Nursing - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program - DNP
AR - Little Rock
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
CA - San Francisco
University of California, San Francisco - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
DC - Washington
Catholic University of America - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
GA - Atlanta Emory University - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care Program
IL - Chicago
Rush University - Acute Care PNP Program 
MA - Boston Northeastern University - Acute Care PNP Program
MD - Baltimore University of Maryland - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Program
MI - Detroit Wayne State University College of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing with Women, Neonates, and Children - AC PNP Specialty
NC - Durham
Duke University- Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care Nurse Practitioner Program
NE - Omaha Creighton University - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
NJ - South Orange Seton Hall University- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Program
OH - Akron University of Akron - Child and Adolescent Health Nursing PNP/AC
OH - Cincinnati University of Cincinnati College of Nursing - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN Program
OH - Columbus Ohio State University - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care Program
OH - Dayton Wright State University - Acute Care - PNP Program
PA - Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania - Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care Nurse Practitioner Program
PA - Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania - Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner Program
PA - Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania - Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Program
TN - Nashville Vanderbilt University - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program - Acute Care Track
TX - Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
WI - Milwaukee
Marquette University - Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatric Acute Care PNP

View Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Positions

Reference:  www.pncb.org

To inquire about Acute Care programs or PNP jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com