ACNP in the San Antonio area, including rural

[EsseQuamVideri]

Hi - I read through the forums often and really appreciate how supportive people are with detailed questions and answers, so I am going to give this a try. I am graduating with a BSN this year and am looking to move to San Antonio, TX for long term family purposes. I know nothing about what Texas Nursing is like other than from talking with recruiters, but I do know that is the place for my wife's family support network for raising children. Also people are very nice there, a lot better than where I am from.

I am an experienced Paramedic, and want to move into an advanced practice role within the next few years while obtaining some good ICU Nursing experience. I am more than willing to work in the city or a rural setting if I can gain more autonomy. My goal is to work in an in-patient setting working in an as close to an intensivist role as possible.

So here a couple questions, but I would much appreciate any input or insight:

What is the ACNP scope of practice like compared to other states? how are they used in the hospitals? which hospital's do or dont use them? (San Antonio and/or outskirts, Texas state in general)

What is the most common credential for Nurse Practitioners in the San Antonio hospital systems? How frequent do job opportunities arise, what is the supply and demand in that area for this sort of specialty? Is there a better credential that is more marketable to be a mid-level practitioner in a critical care setting?

What is the expected salary of a Nurse Practitioner (ACNP or FNP working the in-patient setting) in San Antonio?

Thank you very much, you are really helping me out in a big way and I will definitely pay it forward some day.

[JustinTRN]

An Acute and Continuing Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) is a nurse who is prepared in a master’s or doctoral program to practice in an advanced nursing role in a variety of acute or critical care settings. ACNPs are clinical experts who provide care to acutely or critically ill patients, many of whom may have chronic health problems. ACNPs provide continuous and comprehensive care to patients who are acutely or critically ill. At times ACNPs may function independently, but most often they function collaboratively with patients, their families, and other members of the health care team. The goals of the ACNP are to stabilize the patient, minimize complications, provide physical and psychological care, restore maximal health, and evaluate health risk factors. To achieve these goals ACNPs provide direct patient care management; admit and discharge patients from the hospital; perform histories and physicals; analyze clinical data; order and/or perform necessary diagnostic tests or procedures; develop, implement, and evaluate the therapeutic regimen; teach and provide support for patients and their families; minimize fragmentation by providing coordination of care; manage transition of the patient to step-down units or to out-patient settings; and serve as patient advocates. ACNPs work ONLY with adults and must be board certified to do so, typically ages greater than 17, depending on your certifying agency.

The ACNP is one of the newest NP professions and some areas of the USA do not seem to understand the practice of an ACNP and thus will pick an FNP. ANCC is a huge credentialing agency for NPs of all professions and is more common.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) provides comprehensive primary health care services to individuals from infancy through adulthood. FNPs are prepared to provide care to individuals with acute illnesses such as bronchitis or headache and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Preventive health services, patient education, disease management, illness prevention and other kinds of care provide within the context of family and community. And Family Nurse Practitioners are among those who, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), contribute significantly to providing health care to underserved populations residing in both urban and rural settings.

Statistically, ACNP have the highest salary as an NP in the profession of Nursing. The only profession in nursing that statistically makes more is the CRNA.

It’s mandated that ALL NP’s must be educated at an Doctoral level after 2015.