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Discussion

AGACNP

I am looking for some advice. Here is my back story I am a registered nurse (BSN) in Ohio with 7 years of experience as a floor nurse, ACLS certified, and certified to place central lines. I am 29 years old and have decided that I would like to go back to school and become a AGACNP. I work in a small critical access hospital that is the sister hospital to a larger hospital system. I really enjoy my job and about a year ago was promoted to a supervisor position.

I have worked with several nurse practitioners (most of them are FNP'S). I specifically did not want an FNP as the degree does not prepare you to work in the acute care setting but more the primary care office setting. We have hospitalist that are physicians as well as NP's. I am looking to fill a hospitalist type role for my hospital and actually may already have a possible position after one of our practitioners retire. My unit is a med sure rehab where we have a variety of patients that have med surg needs as well as rehab. Our main hospital functions as a full hospital with everything from ED, to ICU exc... I would likely work a few days at my hospital and then also would work a few days at the main hospital filling a hospitalist type role there as well. However, I will not do ICU type care I prefer to be a hospitalist and not an intensivist. So here is my Dilemma what school should I go to.

I have looked at Vanderbilt University there are pros and cons. The best thing I like is they have a hospitalist track, but only 8-11 students are accepted each year and you cannot begin the process until you are already in the program! Would love to hear if anyone has done this program. You have to go to the campus about once a month which isn't ideal but is doable. It is expensive but not a huge amount more than other schools I have looked at. You have to take the GRE, which I am not worried about taking but more just time consuming. I looked at Maryville online which is fairly easy to get accepted, but they have no specialist track. It is all online which is nice so no travel. I am worried that it is a degree mill and I will not be as prepared for my career and boards... I have looked at Duke, Georgetown, and several others. I would welcome any input that anyone has ....

i would love to hear from some AGACNP's as far as where did you go and what are you doing now with your degree?

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    Most people I see applying for the AGACNP programs have ICU or ED experience. I am wondering if there are current students or NP's that are in AGACNP programs or currently practicing that did not have this experience. I do not want to work in ICU but would like to work in a hospitalist role on other units. Any advice would be appreciated? I do not want to do FNP because my hospital is beginning to move away from FNP's being in the hospital as their clinical tracks prepare them for outpatient setting.

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    • Guides

    You could ask the program directors in the schools you are interested to attend. As far as I know, ED or ICU experience is not required in AGACNP programs. I have spoken to a new AGACNP and she worked in a step down unit when she was an RN. She did end up working in a high acuity specialty that involves rounding in the ICU. She will have a steep learning curve but hopefully, she has adequate orientation.

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    I just started at Maryville in the AGACNP program. I know two nurses that are finishing programs through there (FNP), and both anticipate job offers very soon. I didn't have the option of an in-person program because of my location and work schedule, so while on-line wasn't my first choice I'll make it work. Good luck!

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    • Author

    I appreciate some constructive criticism this is my goal statement for AGACNP program there was not any clear guidance only a goal statement that reflects the outcomes of the program. Listed below are the Learning outcomes This is my first draft feel free to tear it apart if it needs it.

    • Apply knowledge from core courses in the assessment of clients.
    • Integrate core and clinical course content in the diagnosis and treatment of clients.
    • To use core and clinical course content within the context of the community and to understand community as client.
    • To apply theory to practice problems, to analyze practice guidelines, and to conduct an evidence based practice project
    • To understand laws governing advanced practice, to understand scope of practice, and to apply evidence based practice knowledge in treatment planning.

    Goal Statement

    As a Registered Nurse in a Medical Surgical Rehab unit I have worked with a multitude of adult patients. I work with a multidisciplinary team that works together every day to care for medically complex patients. Many of my patients are suffering from both acute and chronic illnesses such as, Cardio Vascular Accident (CVA), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Gastrointestinal Bleeding (GI Bleed), and pneumonia to name a few. I have spent seven years of standing at their bedsides, and guiding them through the worst of their illnesses. I have been their champion urging them to push through, and I have been their protector supporting them when it was time to say that there was nothing left to be done. It is in these moments that I have most enjoyed being a nurse. Recently I have become a supervisor and now help to guide the policies that influence bedside care. I have the honor of being a voice for the same floor nurses that I once was. Once again, I find myself evaluating my position and realizing the bedside is calling me back, but this time in a different role.

    As a future Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practioner (AGACNP) I am eager to return to the bedside of acute care patients. The AGACNP is clinically prepared to work with adult patients in the acute care setting and speciality outpatient clinics. The scope of practice of the AGACNP is to stabilize both acute and exacerbated chronic conditions in the acute care setting. This is accomplished by a rigorous academic program. A program that includes a focus on diagnosis and treatment of these individuals. Including advanced assessment, various areas of clinical placement, laboratory analysis, and diverse treatment options. As a future advanced practice nurse, I will be responsible for quickly evaluating these patients and coming up with a treatment plan. I will do this with the help of a multidisciplinary team made up of a variety of health care professionals. I will also use evidence based practice to guide my clinical decision making.

    As an Advance Practice nurse, my job will involve seeing patients in the acute care setting, specifically I hope to be a hospitalist. My role as a hospitalist will include seeing adult patients in the inpatient setting who are experiencing an acute condition or exacerbation of a chronic illness. I will consult with the emergency room physicians to determine what area is most appropriate for the patient to be admitted. If the patient is being admitted to my service I will work to develop a rapport with the patient and their family. I will analyze their medical history and current acute condition to determine if one is exacerbating another or if they are unrelated. I will work with physicians, nurses, therapist, radiology, respiratory, laboratory, and many other specialities that will assist in caring for and treating the patient. My goal will be to stabilize the patient, evaluate medications, coordinate discharge and follow up with the primary care provider.

    I am confident that (Insert Name of Program) will provide me with the education and clinical assessment skills to adequately prepare me for advanced practice. I believe the AGACNP program will give me the tools that I need to become a successful advance practice nurse and an asset to any hospital.

    Thank You for Anyone who responds :)

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    • Experts

    Several threads merged into one and all moved to student NP forum.

    Best wishes on your journey

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