Current AGACNP student and cannot get a clear answer from anyone, including program faculty. The consensus model does not offer any clear answer as well. The Texas BNE gives no clear scope specifics. The AACN also does not list clear defintions to scope of practice. Of course the hot debate continues regarding FNP practice in hospital setting vs ACNP, and I have found several journal articles suggesting FNP's are not qualified to work in acute care settings. However, I cannot find anything from my state board supporting this. I cannot find anything restricting ACNP practice to adult only populations. Although, many age ranges have been suggested to me, but all are personal opinion.
I am now considering doing the post master FNP just to avoid further controversy. However, I find it quite unnecissary since my practice will be with a physician present. I am not interested for independant practice, and have several ED and ICU job offers already. Of course the ICU job does not include pediatrics, and I personally feel treating stable noncomplicated ED peds with multiple physicians present acceptable.
So, please no opinions, we have enough of those floating around. Where can I find supporting state or credentialing board information that answers this question? What does your state practice? Thanks for any educated input.
Adult Nurse Practitioners are NOT allowed or qualified to assess, order tests, diagnostic studies, or prescribe medications to persons younger than 16 years of age. If your formal training did not inclue the pediatric population, then if you treat any child under 16 years old, you are ABSOLUTELY practicing OUTSIDE YOUR SCOPE OF PRACTICE, and all malpractice policies DO NOT cover you if you practice outside of your scope. Additionally in most states there is NO statute of limitations concerning pediatric malpractice. For example, an Adult Nurse Practitioner may know exactly how to diagnose, treat, and cast a person with a Colles fracture, however if that same ANP incorrectly casts a child with the exact same type of fracture and it heals wrong resulting in arthritis, decreased ROM, nerve damage, etc. later in life then that child could file a malpractice suit against you 10, 15, or 20 years down the road as an adult. So, my advice is to stay INSIDE YOUR SCOPE OF PRACTICE and if you are ever unsure of your role in the care of a patient younger than 16 yrs old, then DON'T DO IT! It is your sole responsibility to know the laws you are governed by and lack of knowledge or understanding is never a good defense in a court of law. Good luck. Just like a Pediatric NP can not practice medicine on adult/geriatric patient, an Adult NP can not practice medicine on a neonate. The answer is staring you right in the face, ADULT NP means adult population, it's really that black & white.
I really don't understand why people would want to practice in a setting in which they were not trained. Children are not little adults. It seems really unsafe.
"The patient population of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP practice includes youngadults (including late adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, and older adults(including young-old, old, and old-old adults). Preparation of the graduate with theentry-level competencies delineated in this document, unless otherwise specified,includes preparation across the entire adult-older adult age spectrum."
I really don't understand why people would want to practice in a setting in which they were not trained. Children are not little adults. It seems really unsafe.
Heck I was trained in care for Peds and never did feel that confident taking care of them. Sure I could spot the common RSV or if fifth disease wandered into the exam room but overall we were not really exposed to much in the way of peds. Much like nursing programs you touch on things but the real learning comes when you start working among your patient populations. Thankfully, I do not see peds in my current role and hope to never be in a position where I will, but according to my training I am qualified to do so --- not everything is so cut and dry.
What does your national certification say? When you went to NP school did you see kids? if so what age?
If you did see a pediatric patient and some how your services that you rendered to the pediatric patient were sued for malpractice... would your national certification and academic education in NP school provide documentation that you are allowed to see children? I would say practice with caution. Just CYA. if ya know what I mean?
There is a Acute Care Pediatric NP program in Texas... so if you are interested in expanding your scope that might be a post masters certificate to think about.
acnpohio
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That's good advice. Thank you